About
To develop a learning network that enhances the arts and cultural experiences within the communities of Eastern Ontario, and to foster strong support for the performing arts in all of its expressions.
Our Values
Promoting a love of artistic and cultural life
Collaboration with artists and organizations across the region
Developing a learning environment that fosters experiential learning in the arts
Artistic Beliefs
The Collective is founded on three core beliefs:
Experiencing the arts in their diverse forms is transformational
Developing an artistic practice is accessible to everyone
Engaging with the arts is an individual journey that leads to personal growth
What Counts as Performing Arts, Here
Performing arts are creative acts done in front of an audience — using voice, body, or objects. Our community spans:
| Art Form | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Theatre | Plays, dramas, and musical theatre — stories acted out through speech, gesture, and staging |
| Dance | Ballet, tap, jazz, and other rhythmic movement used to express idea or emotion |
| Music | Live concerts, singing, and instrumental performance |
| Opera | Dramatic storytelling through singing, with live orchestral accompaniment |
| Circus & Physical Arts | Acrobatics, juggling, magic, and mime |
| Spoken Word | Poetry, stories, and speeches performed live to connect with an audience |
Where We Stand Today
The Collective currently operates as an unincorporated association — an informal agreement among members with no filing fees, though also without personal liability protection. We’ll move toward incorporating as a non-profit once our membership base grows to a point where it clearly benefits the people we serve.
We operate in partnership with Aspen Training Centre, which provides student support for running the Collective — meaning your membership fees also help fund real, hands-on training opportunities for the students who help keep things running.
