Jazz Sudbury hitting all the right notes

Believing that a strong performing arts sector enriches the community both socially and economically, the Sudbury Community Foundation set out to build and support its local arts scene.

Greater Sudbury’s Vital Signs reports indicated that Sudbury was lagging behind other cities in its commitment to the performing arts. It was clear that more needed to be done, so the Sudbury Community Foundation embarked on a new leadership initiative, Jazz Sudbury, to support and promote the wealth of talent that was growing in Sudbury, and to encourage the community to get behind its budding performing arts sector.

A very warm response to Jazz Sudbury’s kickoff event demonstrated that there is a pent-up demand for jazz music in the north. Cabaret 2009 was widely attended last March and gave us confidence to push forward with the Jazz Sudbury Festival. There are so many talented artists who have moved to bigger cities to flourish. We wanted to show Sudburians that we’ve got world-class performers who need our support, and a festival to showcase our great local talent seemed like a natural decision.

The first ever Jazz Sudbury Festival, headlined by Michael Kaeshammer was held in September 2009 to rave reviews.

The success of Jazz Sudbury in its first year confirmed that people in the community wanted cultural activities and a rich arts scene. “Seeing a project that was informed by Vital Signs come to life is very rewarding and encouraging,” notes SCF president Elyse Clements.

The next step for the Foundation is bringing together a Jazz Sudbury steering committee, not only to undertake festival organization, but to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the festival that will serve the community going forward. A continuing goal of our Vital Signs report is to engage citizens and inspire leaders to act.  What better way to show others what can be done than by setting the example?

Others in the arts community have pointed to the Vital Signs report to help their cause. The Sudbury Arts Council used the indicators in Vital Signs to secure more funding for arts and cultural programs in the city – the most funding it has received in the last 30 years.

Having quality research that is readily available to all Sudburians provides an important starting point for other community organizations and active citizens. Along with the Sudbury Community Foundation, they are working towards establishing social innovation projects in Sudbury that will bring together all sectors of the community.

Carmen Simmons is Executive Director of the Sudbury Community Foundation