The Observatory works to inform and enhance cultural development by fostering research, encouraging informed decision-making for policy and planning; and stimulating community debate and improved knowledge exchange.  Its website offers an “interactive hub for cultural policy and development professionals in Canada – including decision makers, researchers, planners and managers.”  It provides links to policy papers, discussions and research papers on the cultural sector.  It is focused mainly on developing government policy, and offers some interesting links.

This site offers examples of policies and provides links to resources and tools on Best Practices in Non-Profit Management, Governance and Board Development, Management, and Information Technology.  It provides samples of documents such as the Non-Profit Good Practice Guideline; Board Members’ Code of Conduct, Legal Responsibilities and Job Descriptions; Program Evaluation tools, and more.  The site is not arts and heritage specific, but the tools it offers are applicable to the field and are succinct and easy to comprehend.  Note:  the site’s sample documents relate to Canadian law, but some of the links are to American sites.

The Canadian Dance Assembly was founded in 2002.  It exists to facilitate the dynamic exchange of information relevant to Canadian professional dance of all forms and aesthetics.  It is working to cultivate a strong national voice for Canadian professional dance and to support the development of resources for this field of artistic expression.  This site offers information on the organization’s activities, and links to a variety of dance companies and organizations across the country and internationally.

A virtual museum about the history of dance in Canada, this website lists and exhibits part of the collection of thousands of items included in this important archive.  It also provides information on how to access other items in the collection which includes oral histories, reconstructed choreographies, video tapes of works by Canadian choreographers and books written about Canadian dance and dancers.  The collection initially concentrated on the early 20^th century and is now working on compiling archives for the 1960’s and 1970’s. 

This membership-based association works towards the promotion and development of dance in the Province of Ontario. The website offers links to Ontario based dance companies, presenters and schools.  It also features a calendar of dance performances in Ontario, a newsletter, details on upcoming auditions, workshops and seminars.

The mandate of the Centre is to help dancers make the necessary transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers.  Dancers at different stages of their careers can receive counseling, grants and career planning assistance but there is a particular emphasis on those dancers who are retiring from live performance.  In order to access these services, dancers must be members of the organization.  The website outlines details of these services, highlights dancers who have made successful transitions into new careers and details membership criteria.

CCP provides a number of resources to aid organizations in their fundraising efforts.The site includes an example of an Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code and access to research and data on the not-for-profit sector in Canada.There are five separate websites run by the organization, each providing information, research and data in a specific field such as fundraising, volunteer management and nonprofit statistics.An online Directory to Foundations is available for an annual fee.

This organization supports the growth and development of an independent Canadian recording industry.  It provides grants to assist Canadian recording artists and songwriters to produce CD’s and videos of their work, and supports tours, record labels, distributors, recording studios, video production companies, producers, engineers, and directors.  The site has information about the grant programs and downloadable application forms.

The Canada Council provides grants to companies and individuals in Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts and Writing and Publishing. It also has sections which focus on Inter-Arts, Aboriginal Arts, Equity issues and an Outreach program. The website has descriptions of all of its granting programs, including criteria for grants, deadlines and downloadable copies of the application forms.

A granting body which supports the independent producers to develop and produce films, videos or interactive digital new media programs in a variety of subject areas using the formats of documentary, docu-drama, drama and animation to inform, educate and/or instruct.  The website offers information, criteria and downloadable application form for CIFVF grants, FAQs about applying for support, a directory to non-theatrical distributers, and a links page which lists funding sources, training programs and other resources

Offers grants for internships in the cultural sector through the Youth Internship Program.  Application forms are available online.  Also provides research and resources on personnel management on the website, including studies on issues such as compensation for cultural managers.  Has online publication called HR Tools and Best Practices which offers practical guides on Job Descriptions; Recruiting the Right People; Coaching, Mentoring and Succession Planning;  Managing Employee Performance; Dealing with Challenge and Conflict;  and Termination of Employment.  These guides can be downloaded from the site.

Provides some grants related to training workers, but does not specialize in the arts and heritage sector.  The program most often used by arts and heritage groups is the Summer Work Experience program which will provide not-for-profit organizations with the full salary for a summer student position.  The website has brief descriptions of the programs it operates and funds, but generally refers you to the local HRDC office for further details.

Grants are available from this source for Heritage organizations, including operating grants for Museums.  This ministry also provides grants for Arts Service Organizations and operates the Cultural Attractions Fund, the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund andother special granting programs.  The website has basic information on the grants and contact information for its regional offices.

The Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal is a federal agency that administers the regime of professional relations contained in the Status of the Artist Act. This Act establishes a framework for the conduct of professional relations which allows for collective negotiations between independent professional artists (artists who are not employees) and producers within the federal jurisdiction. The website includes copies of the Act, information on disputes and resolutions and links to Certified Artists Associations.

The City of Guelph has a population base of over 106 000.  This website offers a list of City Council members, information about City Council meetings, bus schedules, recreation programs, and a brief description of each city department with contact names and numbers.  It also offers links to GuelphMuseums, Guelph Libraries, Guelph Visitor and Convention Services, and the city’s performing arts facility, the River Run Centre.

This organization is the tourism arm of the City of Guelph.  Its website includes a calendar of events (all types of events, not just Arts and Heritage activities), links to other tourism organizations, and information on how  to become a member and participate in the cooperative marketing of Guelph as a tourism destination.  In its ‘Things to Do’ section it offers links to local arts and heritage organizations and it also offers a list of hotels and B&Bs.

The Township of Centre Wellington serves the municipality of Elora and Fergus.  This site provides information on the Town Council, provides a listing of Arts and Culture organizations located in Elora and Fergus, offers listings of dance schools and local service clubs, and provides basic information on the communities of Fergus and Elora.

A national membership-based organization dedicated to the advancement, growth and stability of the Canadian museum community. This website provides a link to the Official Museums Directory with information on over 2600 museums in Canada, offers a job listing of positions open in museums across Canada, and includes an online directory of suppliers for the museum community.  It also offers information on books, other publications and events of interest to the museum community.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's rich and varied heritage.  It holds in trust 22 heritage sites, 20,000 cultural and more than 400,000 archaeological artifacts for the people of Ontario.  This website offers information and links to several Ontario museums, Doors Open Ontario, various heritage sites, plus architectural, archeological and historical organizations related to heritage.  It also offers a listing of heritage events and publications.