Amanda Power Named Unison’s New Executive
Director
AMANDA POWER
The Unison Benevolent Fund has appointed Amanda Power as its new executive director.
Unison is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief
services to the Canadian music community.
Having been with Unison for the past three years as development director, Power is
intimately familiar with the organization’s programs and potential. Power will continue the
work of Sheila Hamilton, Unison’s fi rst executive director, who is leaving her leadership role
after seven years. Hamilton will remain the principal point of contact for applicants to Uni-
son’s Emergency Assistance Program in her new role as director of allocations and services.
For more information, go to www.unisonfund.ca.
SOCAN Survey: 70% of
Young Canadians Want
to Live in Music Cities
According to new SOCAN research,
seven-in-10 city-dwelling Canadians
younger than 35 feel it’s important to live
in a neighbourhood with a vibrant local
arts scene that includes live music. The
organization says the study stems from the
fact that many small and medium-size live
music venues across Canada are struggling
due to lack of revenue and funding.
SOCAN says cities should play a critical
role in maintaining local arts and music
scenes and, in response to the study's find-
ings, has identified several steps that cities
can take to foster music in communities.
Providing live artists with realistic housing
options, bringing cultural groups together
to encourage discussions around the arts,
and examining local development fee struc-
tures so they take live music venues into
consideration have been suggested.
SOCAN also notes that property
developers are often required to contribute
to community infrastructure and amenities
when they build in an area. SOCAN argues
that live music venues should be considered
for these types of funds and a large majority
of survey respondents agree.
For more information, contact
SOCAN: 866-307-6226, www.socan.ca.
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