Canada Council for the Arts: Approaches to Equity in Research, Evaluation and Performance Measurement (Presentation)
Daniela Navia, Canada Council for the Arts
In English | Simultaneous interpretation in French and ASL
The Canada Council for the Arts aims to support a vital and diverse arts ecology that enriches the lives of Canadians, and equity is a critical means to achieving this. In its 2021-26 strategic plan, the Council affirms its commitment to: “acting respectfully, responsibly, and collaboratively as we move forward together towards a more just, equitable, and decolonized future for the arts.”
The Council is also passionate about knowledge mobilization and the promotion of an innovative, data driven culture in support of public funding of the arts in Canada. The Research, Measurement and Data Analytics (RMDA) section undertakes research, program evaluation and performance measurement activities related to the Council’s priorities and commitments, as well as sector-wide trends in the arts.
RMDA collects and reports on data pertaining to equity from individuals, groups, and organizations through various mechanisms. This presentation will present highlights from information gathered by the Council through its corporate reporting, performance measurement, and evaluation activities. We will provide an overview of our data collection and analysis processes and how the information collected informs our approach to equity.
RMDA has also undertaken several projects focused on equity in the arts sector more broadly. We will provide examples of recent research projects and initiatives, such as Collecting Demographic Data: Pilot Survey (2020), Deaf and Disability Arts Practices in Canada (2021) and Research on the Value of Public Funding for Indigenous Arts and Cultures (2022).
Daniela Navia (She/her/elle)
Daniela Navia is a researcher with training in socio-cultural anthropology and health research. For the past seven years, Daniela has worked in arts funding institutions, embedding critical research approaches to understanding and addressing issues of equity and access within arts and cultural organizations. Daniela is currently the Senior Research and Evaluation Analyst at the Canada Council for the arts, overseeing the Council’s Research, Evaluation and Performance measurement activities. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Daniela is passionate about centering marginalized voices and building solidarity to advance social justice and self-determination.
