2018 | Annual Report Table of Contents Mission, Vision & Values 2 Message from the President & Executive Director 3 About Folklorama 5 Folklorama Talent 6 Folklorama Teachings 8 Folklorama Travel 10 Folklorama Festival 12 | Casinos of Winnipeg Folklorama Kick-Off 13 || In the Media 14 ||| Social Media 15 Volunteers 16 | Al Malbranck Memorial Outstanding Volunteer Award 17 Team Folklorama 18 Ambassadors Program 20 Ambassadors’ Inaugural Ceremony 21 Scholarships 22 Partners & Funders 24 Organization Chart 25 Board of Directors, Staff, Seasonal Staff & Committees 26 Folklorama Members 29 Financials 34 PHOTO CREDIT: DWAYNE LARSON DWAYNE CREDIT: PHOTO FOLKLORAMA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the President & Executive Director Mission 2018 was a year of positive change and Our Folklorama Talent division kept As we continue to acknowledge, Celebrating diversity and promoting reimaging of initiatives in response to members busy with over 200 events Folklorama would not be the cultural understanding. the valued feedback captured during booked and produced throughout organization we are today if not for the strategic planning process by the year. The relationship that the the contributions of our volunteers. all Folklorama stakeholders. As the Folklorama Talent division maintains As such, it is with utmost pleasure that organization began work on the first locally with corporate clients Folklorama continue to see the youth year of its strategic plan to 2022, all and internationally through the in our membership take on more program development was measured International Council of Organizations leadership roles, express interest in Vision with a keen eye towards ensuring of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts committee work and, in 2018 towards alignment with the identified goals in (CIOFF) allows for our members, as fulfillment of one of the strategic goals, Folklorama promotes the ethno-cultural diversity of Manitoba through growth of talent, teachings and travel, well as Folklorama as a whole to live forming a Folklorama Youth Council entertainment and public celebrations of culture and education. continued success of the festival, our mission and implement our vision for youth, by youth. In taking this Folklorama provides the opportunity for ethno-cultural communities increasing youth involvement and year-round. important step, the skills, attributes to promote and celebrate their intangible culture. We will understand maximizing organizational capacity. and networks that these young people In 2018 Folklorama Teachings and respond to the expectations of our members, stakeholders and the will develop are without measure. The Folklorama Festival continued developed and delivered 70 public and will be leaders in the festival community, the special events to enjoy strong success, not only in customized presentations and Folklorama would like to formally industry and the tourism industry of Manitoba. We will respect and the 445,000 visits that took place, brought elements of the Festival thank our valued sponsors, funders, recognize the contributions of our staff and volunteers and will create but in the engagement of the tens of into classrooms, daycares, members, community partners and an environment that inspires fun, innovation and a sense of belonging. thousands of volunteers who invite us post-secondary institutions, staff for their part in building this into their pavilions year after year to workplaces, and senior centers dynamic organization and ensuring share in their intangible heritage. The reaching over 10,000 participants Folklorama remain true to its values love and pride of their culture was of all ages in Winnipeg and across - an organization of integrity, that obvious to every guest that walked Manitoba. Throughout the year appreciates diversity, respects culture through the doors of each pavilion. It Folklorama Teachings encourages and above-all, respects each other. Values is this contribution and commitment hands-on learning through interactive of all volunteers, in every capacity, performances, presentations, and The future is golden; we look forward Our basic foundation values are: that lends to the ongoing success of workshops. Cultivating a collaborative to celebrating Folklorama50 and Folklorama both during the festival and learning environment to attain a beyond for many years to come. • Respect for people year round. respect of multiculturalism in the • Appreciation for diversity classroom, daycare or workplace More than five years in the making, is the foundation of the Folklorama • Integrity the launch of digital ticketing was by Teachings division. • Respect for culture far the largest achievement of the organization in 2018. For the first Folklorama Travel works year-round as time in Folklorama’s history advanced a receptive tour operator by planning In the services that we provide and the products tickets were made available for public and facilitating full daytime itineraries we develop and support, we will be known to be: purchase, mitigating the number one for groups visiting Winnipeg. In 2018 Avrom Charach President • Responsive • Innovative complaint of festival goers that many this resulted in 155 bookings within avoided attending due to long lines and the Group and VIP Tour programs. • Creative • Strategic uncertainty around sold out shows. As a highly respected member of • Proactive • Transparent As expected when migrating to a new the tourism community, and a driver system with a myriad of variables, of economic growth to the City of challenges did arise, were managed Winnipeg and province of Manitoba, immediately and are being addressed Folklorama Travel continues to build Teresa Cotroneo and re-assessed moving into 2019 to its brand by delivering the highest of Executive Director provide an even better experience for customer service with groups from the public and pavilions. the USA, rural Manitoba and other Canadian provinces. 2 FOLKLORAMA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT FOLKLORAMA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 3 About Folklorama The first Folklorama Festival took place Folklorama Talent is a full-service or workplace. By working closely over one week as a celebration of entertainment booking agency with Folklorama’s ethno-cultural Manitoba’s centennial in 1970 and at representing many of Winnipeg’s top performers each client’s event will that time was intended as a one-time multicultural performers. With close receives a customized program celebration. Decades later in 2018, to 30 years of event management that focuses on diversity through Folklorama has successfully produced and concert production experience, workshops and performances. These its 49th Festival. Since 1970 the Festival Folklorama Talent has a broader methods foster an appreciation and has grown tremendously, receiving reach than most agencies. Unlike respect for cultural differences and the distinction of being the largest typical booking agencies that recruit motivate others to take pride in their and longest-running multicultural for their rosters, Folklorama Talent own cultural heritage. festival of its kind in the world*, and works proactively on behalf of our continues to celebrate the global membership to pursue local, national Folklorama Travel is a leader in diversity seen in Manitoba. Through and international bookings. By building the tourism industry in Manitoba. member organizations that represent strong relationships with international By developing relationships with diverse ethno-cultural communities, festivals through CIOFF, Folklorama tour partners from across North Folklorama becomes a vessel for Talent has access to contemporary America, Folklorama Travel is able communities to promote and share and international performers from to consistently attract travelers to their intangible heritage and promote around the world in addition to the Winnipeg and the Folklorama Festival cultural understanding to all visitors. highly talented local performing year after year. This is done through groups. Folklorama Talent provides a the creation of robust cultural The continued success of the diverse range of event management itineraries for visiting groups focusing Folklorama Festival is demonstrated needs including itinerary planning and on local attractions, restaurants and by attracting over 400,000 visits each programming to on-site management showcasing Folklorama Talent and year, strengthening its place as a for corporate events, festivals, Teaching performers. This division summer tourism anchor for the city conventions and conferences. also applies its tourism expertise to of Winnipeg. Through the remainder maximize business development for of the year, Folklorama is sustained Folklorama Teachings nurtures a Folklorama throughout the year as by three business divisions created collaborative learning environment a receptive tour operator cultivating as a result of the Festival’s success: which creates respect for in-bound group travel business. Folklorama Talent, Folklorama multiculturalism through hands on *As designated by the International Council of Teachings and Folklorama Travel. learning in the classroom, daycare Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Official Partnership with UNESCO. PHOTO CREDITS ON PAGE: DWAYNE LARSON DWAYNE CREDITS ON PAGE: PHOTO PHOTO CREDIT: DARCY FINLEY DARCY CREDIT: PHOTO PHOTO CREDIT: DWAYNE LARSON DWAYNE CREDIT: PHOTO FOLKLORAMA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT FOLKLORAMA 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 5 Folklorama Talent 2018 was an eventful year