IRAFF's data sharing system for regional arts councils goes live!

There's no mention of us, but we were originally hired by Economic Indicators Committee of IRAFF (see below, a committee formed of regional arts funding bodies) and proposed and designed this system after performing audits of their data, as per the original contract. It has taken about 5 years for this to become a reality and we did three phases of it-- beginning with the recommendation that they create this system. Yeah, Netgain! We'll pat ourselves on the back anyway. As GM for Kaha:wi, I also suspect this will make my life a little easier, while at the same time complicating it as one requirements is the submission of independent financial statements for our last season, which we currently do not have.

This is the official press release:



CADAC goes live

Ottawa, December 4, 2008 — After a very successful pilot and some fine tuning, CADAC (Canadian Arts Data/ Données sur les arts au Canada) the integrated financial and statistical online database for arts organizations is now ready to accept data for operating program deadlines beginning in 2009.

CADAC uses a web-based application that will lighten the administration burden on arts organizations applying for operating funding to one or multiple public funders by enabling them to submit one set of financial and statistical information.

Thirty-three arts organizations from all disciplines participated in the pilot testing of the application which took place between October 4 and November 16. The feedback received from those organizations noted that the registration process and the instructions were simple to follow.
Twenty-eight of the organizations indicated the test was a positive or very positive experience. Their input resulted in six enhancements to the application and adjustments to the financial form. It also helped to identify and solve seven problem areas.

To facilitate the process, each funder will be contacting organizations to let them know the first deadline for which they should submit their financial and statistical data into CADAC. This process will be phased in over the next two years as operating deadlines occur throughout the year.
Organizations applying for operating funding are encouraged to register with CADAC as soon as possible.

The CADAC team would like to thank all of those who participated and enabled us to finalize the application in time for the 2009 deadlines.

The following are member partners: the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Vancouver, the Manitoba Arts Council, the New Brunswick Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, the Ontario Arts Council, the Saskatchewan Arts Board and Toronto Arts Council. Discussions are ongoing with other provincial, territorial and municipal arts funders to encourage them to join the partnership.

In addition, the CADAC initiative has supporting partners: the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the City of Toronto.

CADAC was originally conceived by the Intergovernmental Roundtable of Arts Funders and Foundations (IRAFF) in Ontario and shepherded through the development phase by the Ontario Arts Council.

The Canada Council for the Arts is the secretariat and host for CADAC.

For more information: CADACInfo@thecadac.ca