Equity Action Advisory Committee (EAAC)

In the spring of 2025, the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta (ATAA) formed a committee of artists and arts leaders from underserved communities to help identify and encourage professional-level artists from their own circles to apply for Alberta Showcase. With the help of Canadian Heritage and their Program Development Fund, we were able to form the Equity Action Advisory Committee (EAAC). The committee’s outreach plays a vital role in ensuring that talented artists who may have previously gone unseen have the opportunity to step into the spotlight.

The goal is twofold:

  1. to open new doors for artists seeking performance opportunities
  2. to give presenters a richer, more diverse pool of talent to choose from—artists they might never have discovered otherwise

The ATAA is committed to supporting both sides of this process: uncovering exceptional artists and connecting them with more than 200 arts presenters through Alberta Showcase.

The paid work of the EAAC has included giving the ATAA resources and guidance on how to welcome more artists and arts leaders from these identified communities. The ATAA has learned so much in this process, with their continued input, dedicated guidance and advice. With the EAAC, we are hoping to continue to create accessible and equitable pathways to connect artists with presenters and their communities.

To support the development of this initiative, producer, engineer, and songwriter Jinting Zhao of SHE-Q Audio was brought on to facilitate committee recruitment and help establish its foundational structure. Recognized for her extensive experience in the cultural industries, she played a key role in shaping the framework.

 

Meet the EAAC!

We are very proud of the work the EAAC has helped the ATAA to accomplish thus far. This is who they are:

Jessica Tyndale (Seeka Sings)

Enoch Attey

Phyllis Sinclair

Dominic Fayenuwo

Dave Von Bieker