InterConnect – Discussion Area

interConnect - Discussion Area Survey

Thank you for your participation! This survey should take 15 - 20 minutes to complete.
In the summer of 2023, interConnect will organize a series of co-learning groups made up of artists, professionals, and organizations from the broad independent visual and media arts. They will gather to share knowledge about digital projects and practices. With this project, the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) aims at fostering the growth of digital spaces created for and by independent artists, strengthening the sector overall.

The purpose of this survey is to gather insights about possible discussion areas that the interConnect co-learning groups will explore together. Since these are intended to be participant-driven learning experiences, with support from facilitators with subject expertise, we want to make sure they cover a broad range of knowledge areas while allowing flexibility for individual interests to emerge.

This survey should take you 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

The call for participation in the co-learning groups will be published in March 2023. If you are interested in applying to be a participant, you’ll have the opportunity to join our mailing list upon completion of this survey. The selected candidates will be paid for their participation in the interConnect project.

Representing diversity of views

In this survey, you will be asked to provide certain personal information about your location, identity, and other demographic factors. This helps us analyze responses with the intent to recognize the diversity of the media and visual arts community across Canada.

Anonymity

Personally identifiable information, such as your name, are always optional. This way, you can remain anonymous if you wish and people who would prefer to be named are not forced to remain invisible.

Accessibility

If you require accessibility support in order to complete this survey, we can conduct the survey as an interview over the phone, or through alternate means to meet your needs. Please contact Barbora Racevičiūtė at dir@imaa.ca or via phone at 1-514-522-8240 ext. 2.

How the data will be used

The data collected in this survey will only be reviewed and analyzed by the Advising Researcher (Margaret Lam) and select team members (Benjamin J. Allard, Emily Jeffers, Samuel Thulin). The anonymized findings will be shared with the project's team members to inform the design of the learning cohorts, and may be shared in a public report.

The original survey data will be permanently deleted by June 1, 2023.

How language is used

IMAA strives to use language that is inclusive and respectful. However, we understand that language is in constant evolution and that usage may differ within and between communities. IMAA recognizes that people may identify with several different groups and have a variety of lived experiences.

While the vocabulary used in this survey strives to be reflective of that reality, we encourage you to use the free form fields to provide any additional information in your own words, as well as constructive feedback about the survey itself.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the survey, please contact us at info@imaa.ca.

Part 1 of 3: Personal Information

This section will help us get a sense of who you are as an individual.
1.1. Membership and Affiliation

We want to analyze the findings based on your artistic and professional affiliations.
To help you with answering this question, our partner organizations are:
- Association des groupes en arts visuels francophones (AGAVF)
- Canadian Artists' Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC)
- National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition (NIMAC)
- Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA)
- Canadian Art Gallery Educators (CAGE)
Please select all that apply:

My organization is a member of IMAAMy organization is a member of a partner organizationI feel I am a part of the media and visual art communityI am not part of the media and visual art communityNo membership affiliationOther
1.2. Regional and Professional Experience

We want to analyze the findings based on region, artistic/professional practice, and career stage (a rough place-holder for age or generational differences).
Where do you reside?
FORMAT: City, Province
How would you describe the area(s) where you live?

urbansuburbanruralremoteother
What are the current and former professional role(s) you have actively engaged in?

practicing artistarts administrator / workercuratorprogrammereducatorresearcherother
How would you describe your career stage in the arts?

early stage (5 years or less)middle stage (5 to 10 years)mature stage (10+ years)late stage / retired (winding down career)other
Could you share a few more words to describe your artistic and/or professional practice? (e.g. discipline, medium, institutional context, clients)
1.3. Social-Cultural Identifiers

We want to analyze the findings based on affiliations with certain social, cultural and ethnic groups.
In order to recognize both the common experiences of interest groups as well as the unique experiences of individuals who identify with them, we have provided a condensed list of social and cultural identifiers followed by an open text for you to share additional details in your own words.

Should you prefer to remain anonymous, this information will NOT be attributed to any identifiable person, as your name is not a required field in this survey.
What are the social, cultural and ethnic groups that you identify with? Please choose all that applies.

IndigenousNewcomer / ImmigrantRacialized / Multi-ethnic / Multi-culturalD/deaf and disabledGender / Sexual minorityOther IdentifiersPrefer to not say / limit sharing of info
Could you share a few more words about your "Indigenous" identity?
(urban, rural, reserve, etc.)
Could you share a few more words about your "Newcomer / Immigrant" identity?
(first or second generation, country of origin, etc.)
Could you share a few more words about your "Racialized / Multi-ethnic / Multi-cultural" identity?
(ethnicity, heritage, nationality, ...)
Could you share a few more words about your "D/deaf and disabled" identity?
(Differently abled, person with a disability, low-vision, ...)
Could you share a few more words about your "Gender / Sexual minority" identity?
(queer, lesbian, bi-sexual, ...)
Could you share a few more words about the other identities that we haven't explicitly asked about?
(sex, religious belief, language, ...)
Could you share with us why you prefer to not say / limit sharing of info around social cultural identity?
1.4. Permission for follow-up
If needed, can we get in touch with you to follow-up on your survey submission for research purposes?

YesNo
What is your name?
This is personally identifiable information that a limited number of people will have access to. See more under "Anonymity" on the landing page of this survey.
What email can we reach you at?
What phone number can we reach you at?
Part 2 of 3: Learning and Professional Development

This section asks about your current and desired level of knowledge in areas having to do with people, organizational structure, and technology.
Since we are only seeking a general understanding of your experience and knowledge, please feel free to interpret the areas below broadly.
2.1. How would you rate your current level of experience and/or knowledge in the following areas?
Here is a guide for what each of the levels means:

1 – Novice (no experience/knowledge)
2 – Learner (passively acquiring experience/knowledge)
3 – Intermediate (actively acquiring experience/knowledge)
4 – Advanced (able to work with subject-matter experts)
5 – Expert (able to provide training/coaching to peers)

2.1.1. People, colleagues and communities

	Current level of experience and/or knowledge
Training, recruitment and professional development (e.g. teaching art, facilitating art programs, team and board member development)
Forming teams for specialized and/or strategic projects outside of regular activities (e.g. recruiting artistic collaborators, tech developers, project managers, consultants)
Public engagement and/or community outreach (e.g. experience as a group facilitator, translator, or social media manager, etc.)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion-related practices (e.g. experience in developing best practices for hiring, conflict resolution, community partnerships)

2.1.2. Organizational structures and sustainability

	Current level of experience and/or knowledge
Business and/or governance models (e.g. developing different approaches to governance by-laws, incorporation structures, business models)
Processes for strategic planning (e.g. establishing priorities, evaluating feasibility, leading strategic planning processes)
Finance/funding-related practices (e.g. generating new revenues, understanding granting systems)
Partnership development (e.g. understanding different sectors, identifying common values)

2.1.3. Technological expertise and foresight

	Current level of experience and/or knowledge
Creating a digital workflow / Increasing digital capacity (e.g. working across channels and software platforms, organizing or managing day-to-day operations)
Processes for creating a Digital Strategy (e.g. Human-Centered Design, tech evaluation, business assessment)
Data-related practices (e.g. knowledge of semantic web technologies, analytics, data security)
Emerging technologies and trends (e.g. knowledge of blockchain, artificial intelligence, XR)

2.1.4. Do you have any other thoughts to share about the selections you made above?
2.2 How would you rank your level of interest in learning about the following areas?
Here is a guide for what each of the levels means:

1 – Not interested at all
2 – Very little interest
3 – Unsure / Potentially interested
4 – Somewhat interested
5 – Very interested

2.2.1. People, colleagues and communities

	Level of interest in learning more
Training, recruitment and professional development (e.g. teaching art, facilitating art programs, team and board member development)
Forming teams for specialized and/or strategic projects outside of regular activities (e.g. recruiting artistic collaborators, tech developers, project managers, consultants)
Public engagement and/or community outreach (e.g. experience as a group facilitator, translator, or social media manager, etc.)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion-related practices (e.g. experience in developing best practices for hiring, conflict resolution, community partnerships)

2.2.2. Organizational structures and sustainability

	Level of interest in learning more
Business and/or governance models (e.g. developing different approaches to governance by-laws, incorporation structures, business models)
Processes for strategic planning (e.g. establishing priorities, evaluating feasibility, leading strategic planning processes)
Finance/funding-related practices (e.g. generating new revenues, understanding granting systems)
Partnership development (e.g. understanding different sectors, identifying common values)

2.2.3. Technological expertise and foresight

	Level of interest in learning more
Creating a digital workflow / Increasing digital capacity (e.g. working across channels and software platforms, organizing or managing day-to-day operations)
Processes for creating a Digital Strategy (e.g. Human-Centered Design, tech evaluation, business assessment)
Data-related practices (e.g. knowledge of semantic web technologies, analytics, data security)
Emerging technologies and trends (e.g. knowledge of blockchain, artificial intelligence, XR)

2.2.4 Do you have any other thoughts as to "why" you made the selections above?
Part 3 of 3: interConnect’s Co-Learning Groups

We would like your feedback on 10 discussion areas to inform the design of the co-learning groups. Your input will help us evaluate their relevance to you and for the media and visual arts sectors.
3.1. Strategic Planning in a Digital Age

Exploring organizational models, visions, and mandates

A digital strategy is becoming an important component of a personal or organizational strategic plan. How do your vision, revenue model, and assumptions about your audiences shape and influence one another? How do you select digital tools and practices that align with your overall strategy?
3.1.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.1.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.1.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.2: Remix Culture 2.0

AI-generated content, audience engagement, authenticity

The explosion of AI-generated content heralds the next evolution of remix culture. What opportunities are there for us to engage audiences and foster creation? What are the implications around copyrights and attribution? Will technology ever replace human authenticity, or is it rather our idea of authenticity that will be transformed by it?
3.2.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.2.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.2.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.3: Not Merely Data

Open data, stewardship, representation

The mechanics of discoverability comes down to metadata: data that describes data. What are the existing data standards for describing the art world, and who is using them? Where is this data published and how can it be accessed? How diverse are the voices informing data collection and stewardship?
3.3.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.3.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.3.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.4: Shaping Our Digital Commons

Social media, online presence, digital archives

Are social media platforms effective for audience development, or is it an echo chamber? When are online conversations exclusive and when are they in fact public? What value can digital archives offer the next generation of digital natives? Are we shaping our digital commons or is it shaping us?
3.4.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.4.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.4.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.5: Meaningful Co-Creation

Facilitation, accountability, generosity

Co-creation is an intuitive concept that can be quite complex in practice. This is especially true when we use it to amplify marginalized voices, and empower them to shape outcomes. How do you plan and facilitate such a process? What are the potential pitfalls and rewards?
3.5.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.5.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.5.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.6: Built By Us For Us

An interoperable future

Technology building is a complex undertaking and there are many examples of such initiatives in the arts. What problem are they solving, and how are they approaching it? What human and operational challenges have emerged? How do we avoid replicating the silos that are entrenched in the sector?
3.6.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.6.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.6.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.7: Critical Access

Beyond accessibility checklists

The COVID-19 lockdowns increased public awareness of accessibility needs. Yet, accessibility practices and policies in the arts are often static, lacking the flexibility and adaptability needed. How can we develop a more nuanced understanding of accessibility needs? How do you operationalize it in practice?
3.7.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.7.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.7.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.8: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Implications for digital initiatives

Consensus is yet to be established in identifying what equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) mean in the context of specific digital initiatives. What goals and objectives are within scope? What are the measures of success, and why? How does the consideration of EDI objectives impact the planning of digital initiatives?
3.8.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.8.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.8.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.9: Digital Housekeeping

Digital presence, remote work, security, and more

The first steps we take into digital transformation involves the day-to-day: security, backups, hardware, and the public-facing experience. How can we streamline our workflow using technology? Should we replicate existing workflows or design completely new ones? What are the implications for organizational structure, team roles, and training needs?
3.9.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.9.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.9.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
3.10: Emergent Tech

Distinguishing hype from relevance

As exemplified in the latest chapter of the cryptocurrency saga, hype devolves into disbelief when the public’s trust in “Big Tech” turns out to be misplaced. How should we approach new waves of tech trends? What resources can help the arts sector critically assess the benefits and limits of what big tech promises?
3.10.a. What is your level of personal interest in this discussion area?

Not interested at allVery little interestUnsure / Potentially interested (need more info)Somewhat interestedVery interested
3.10.b. How important do you feel it is for the sector to explore this discussion area?

Not important at allNot very importantSomewhat importantImportantVery Important
3.10.c. Do you have any additional thoughts or questions you want to share?
Part 4: Final Thoughts

This is the last section! Thank you for your participation.
Have we missed something in this survey that you feel is important to bring up? Are there topics or discussion areas that have not been mentioned? Please use the space below to share any thoughts or feedback.
Thank you for your feedback!

You will find a link to subscribe to the interConnect newsletter upon submitting this form. This is the best way to receive all news from the project, including the applications for the co-learning groups.
Should be Empty:

interConnect - Discussion Area Survey

Representing diversity of views

Anonymity

Accessibility

How the data will be used

How language is used

Part 1 of 3: Personal Information

1.1. Membership and Affiliation

1.2. Regional and Professional Experience

1.3. Social-Cultural Identifiers

1.4. Permission for follow-up

Part 2 of 3: Learning and Professional Development

2.1. How would you rate your current level of experience and/or knowledge in the following areas?

2.2 How would you rank your level of interest in learning about the following areas?

Part 3 of 3: interConnect’s Co-Learning Groups

3.1. Strategic Planning in a Digital Age

3.2: Remix Culture 2.0

3.3: Not Merely Data

3.4: Shaping Our Digital Commons

3.5: Meaningful Co-Creation

3.6: Built By Us For Us

3.7: Critical Access

3.8: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

3.9: Digital Housekeeping

3.10: Emergent Tech

Part 4: Final Thoughts

Thank you for your feedback!