Akoulina Connell’s Leadership in Arts Advocacy and Analysis

Akoulina Connell played a pivotal role in Mass Culture’s inaugural Federal Budget Analysis project, which aimed to critically examine federal funding commitments to the arts sector in Canada. The project, funded by the Canadian Conference of the Arts, sought to provide an annual analysis of federal budgets and their impact on the arts ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities and Contributions

1. Project Coordination and Facilitation

Akoulina Connell co-coordinated the roundtable discussion for the Federal Budget Analysis , working alongside Bridget MacIntosh.

She facilitated a dialogue with prominent arts sector leaders, including Mark Campbell, MaryElizabeth Luka, Loc Dao, Lindsay Fisher, Laurence D. Dubuc, and Niigaanwewidam Sinclair.

2. Analytical Writing and Advocacy

Akoulina authored the accompanying paper, Towards an Intersectional Approach:

Rethinking Arts Ecosystem, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the arts sector’s current climate. The paper reflected on recent funding commitments by the Canadian government and other funding bodies, while identifying opportunities for systemic change.

3. Adaptation to External Challenges

Due to delays and challenges caused by COVID-19, Akoulina pivoted the project’s focus to examine the immediate impacts of the pandemic on the arts sector.

Her work highlighted the urgent need for adaptive funding strategies and equitable support for artists and cultural organizations.

Impact and Outcomes

Policy Influence: Akoulina’s analysis contributed to a deeper understanding of federal cultural investment, informing discussions on how to better support the arts sector during crises.

Sector Advocacy: Her work emphasized the importance of intersectional approaches to arts funding, ensuring marginalized voices and communities were considered in policy discussions.

Collaboration: By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Akoulina fostered a collaborative environment that strengthened advocacy efforts and promoted a shared vision for the future of the arts in Canada.

Lessons Learned

Flexibility in Advocacy: Akoulina’s ability to adapt the project’s focus in response to COVID-19 demonstrated the importance of agility in arts advocacy.

Intersectional Analysis: Her emphasis on intersectionality highlighted the need for funding models that address the diverse needs of artists and communities.

Stakeholder Engagement: The success of the roundtable underscored the value of inclusive dialogue in shaping effective policy recommendations.