Fun fact to start with – I always scan my spam. At least what’s visible in the subject line, or the snippet of the first paragraph.
First para of an email received a few weeks ago: “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA.”
Sure you are. Delete.
First para of an email received a few days after that. “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA. I sent an e-mail on June 24th, but I’m afraid there’s some problem with my e-mail because I haven’t received any reply yet.”
Good lord what kind of spam list am I on? DELETE.
Facebook page message received shortly after: “Hope this e-mail finds you well. This is Priscilla from Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) in Taiwan. Right now I’m the teaching assistant of International Master of the Arts Program in Cultural and Creative Industries (IMCCI) in TNUA.”
Well now you’ve found me in two places. And your name is Priscilla, and that’s kind of a cool name. Okay, I’ll bite. Abridged version of conversation below:
Hello Priscilla, I am glad you found me – I do not run a physical office space but would be happy to have an afternoon chat at a cafe with Mr Lu sometime during the time he is here. Please go ahead and confirm that, and we can make arrangements. What sort of information is Mr. Lu looking for?
Hi Sue, Thanks for your reply and offer. For the afternoon chat, July 18th may be the best option for Mr. Lu. If it doesn’t work, July 16th is also ok. Please let me know your preference, thank you. Mr. Lu from IMCCI will visit Canada art organizations. He would like to visit Sue Edworthy Arts Planning and know how art consulting companies help young artists.
Hi Priscilla,The 18th will be fine, I’ll book some space. 3 pm works perfectly. I suggest we meet at the restaurant at the Gladstone Hotel, it’s one of my favourite places to work. www.gladstonehotel.com thank you Sue
So 3 pm yesterday found me at the Gladstone Hotel, sipping an iced tea and awaiting the arrival of the mysterious Mr. Lu from Taipei.
And arrive he did, with his EA Catherine. And we talked for two hours straight.
We talked about Charles Landry, about TAPA, Day at the City and Day on the Hill, about marketing and PR for artists and organizations, the billboard tax, tag graffitti vs murals, They expressed amazement and delight about how we’ll put art anywhere we can, that the Fringe Club is in a parking lot and sometimes shows take place in a car or a shed, that empty convenience store across the way is home to an art show as we speak.
We talked about how neighbours sometimes don’t want artists around, the issues Artscape went through with the Barns, the issues TaiPei was having with their Artist Village. Same issues a world away. We spoke about common language, how to figure out what someone would value about art and then speak to them on that level.
We talked about the students he is teaching, and how experience, contacts and love for art is indeed universal when it comes to getting a job in the arts. We talked about Expect Theatre, Theatre Rusticle, Obsidian Theatre, contemporary dance and visual art.
We had a fantastic time. They loved the Gladstone, and the staff were their usual awesome selves, taking us to see a couple of the artist-designed rooms, giving history of the building, the elevator and more (thanks Gladstone!).
And then off they went – they’d spent the time before meeting me walking along West Queen West, and now they were off to the Island, and the Distillery tomorrow. If I’m ever in Taipei, I’m to let them know so I can come talk to Mr. Lu’s students.
Hi Priscilla, A thank you to let you know what a pleasure it was to meet with Mr. Lu and his EA Catherine – we had a wonderful chat about art and culture and support for these things in a city.
Many thanks for your determinedness in setting up this meeting – also please thank him for the lovely gift, it was very kind of him.
Sincere best regards,
Sue
PS the link below might be of interest to Mr. Lu as an excellent example of community projects that embrace the arts.
Call For Artists – Council Endorses Pan-Am Path 37-1
Hi Sue, No problem! I’ll forward this website to Mr. Lu and let him know you love the gift. I’ve just done my job and what I have to do. It’s you who is willing to offer this opportunity to meet with Mr. Lu! I really appreciate your help and kindness
Best wishes to you and everything.
Priscilla
Sometimes SPAM – isn’t.
Sue Edworthy Arts Planning 