The sudden surge of new presentation models exposes an urgent need to formalize standards for streaming and other types of online presentation for the media arts sector.

To address these issues, IMAA engaged in a national conversation with media artists, arts service organizations, media arts festivals and independent distributors, galleries, and other presenters. This project took place in 2021.

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Publications

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property and Online Presentation: Guidelines and Resources for Media Arts Presenters

With a focus on equity and transparency, this guide presents the legal framework for intellectual property, the challenges it presents, and Indigenous perspectives on the subject. This document includes:

    • An overview of the legal framework that regulates intellectual property in Canada;
    • A discussion of how this framework impacts media artists and presenters;
    • An introduction to Indigenous perspectives on intellectual property.

Contracts Checklist between media arts presenters and artists or copyright holders

IMAA recommends that presenters and artists (or copyright holders) enter into agreements via signed contracts. A signed contract is the clearest way to record the terms of an agreement. This resources includes:

    • General guidelines for developing contracts;
    • A list of items to include in a contract;
    • An overview of what to specify for online presentation contexts.

Accessibility

Towards Accessible Online Presentation Models: Introduction and Resources for the Media Arts Community

What “equity through accessibility” might mean in the context of your activities. This resource was developed to raise awareness of questions related to accessibility and online presentation. This document includes:

    • IMAA’s Position Statement on Accessibility;
    • An introduction to Key Concepts;
    • An overview of the Canadian Legal Framework that impacts the D/deaf and disability community;
    • a set of Guiding principles;
    • A list of Prompts and questions that media arts organizations should ask themselves.

Technical

Online Presentation Workflow: Resources for the Media Arts Community

Online presentation initiatives involve a range of technology solutions, from ready-to-use platforms to custom-built websites and digital tools. This resource was developed as a map to help media arts presenters navigate the online presentation process. You will find in this document a series of questions and items to consider:

    • throughout the process,
    • in the planning phase,
    • the presentation phase, and
    • after the presentation.

Online Presentation Workflow chart

Simplified, graphical representation of the Online Presentation Workflow document.

Tools

Fee Schedule

Fee Schedule

The IMAA Fee Schedule recommends fees for screenings and audio presentations, exhibitions, professional fees, educational use of media art works, and print reproduction of film/video stills in both in-person and online contexts.

Glossary

Glossary of Terms: Online Media Arts Presentation Standards

This glossary presents terms related to Accessibility, Intellectual Property and Copyright, the IMAA Fee Schedule and Technical Vocabulary for online presentation.

External resources

External Resources: Online Media Arts Presentation Standards

This directory provides external resources about online presentation.

How did we work?

As part of this project, the following consultation activities were also organized:

  • 2 bilingual public meetings in which approximately 160 people from over 60 organizations participated.
  • Interviews with 19 members of the independent media arts community.
  • 1 community survey on royalties and artists’ fees
  • 1 information session in preparation for the IMAA General Assembly in 2021.

Working groups

The groups met regularly in the spring and summer of 2021 to support research, discuss best practices, and provide feedback on draft documents. These groups were formed through a call for applications and by invitation.

Expert presentations were organized to complement group discussions.

Intellectual Property and Remuneration

The online presentation and distribution of media artworks challenge existing models for the remuneration of artists and raises specific issues related to intellectual property.

This working group was directly involved in the development of the IMAA 2022 Fee Schedule, Intellectual Property and Online Presentation: Guidelines and Resources for the Media Arts Community and the Contracts Checklist.

Membres

Expert presentations

Online Accessibility

Putting into practice accessibility-driven values – offline and online – is an ongoing process in which the media arts community is engaged. This group focused on the development of a common understanding of what is meant by accessibility and how this translates into online presentation practices.

This working group was directly involved in the development of the document Towards Accessible Online Presentation Models: Introduction and Resources for the Media Arts Community. It is also important to note that many members of the group self-identify as being part of D/deaf and disability communities.

Members

Expert presentations

Technical Considerations

Digital technology changes the playing field for media arts presenters and distributors, providing multiple new ways of disseminating work and reaching audiences. However, from a technical point of view, online presentation comes with its own set of issues.

This working group was directly involved in the development of the document Online Presentation Workflow: Resources for the Media Arts Community.

Members

Expert presentations

Team and governance

Advisory Committee

The advisory committee defined the main orientations of the research and its members act as a liaison with their organizations and communities to publicize the project’s activities.

Project Team

Research

  • Mariane Bourcheix-Laporte, Principal Researcher, PhD in Communication, Simon Fraser University
  • Roxanne Hallal, Research Assistant

The Independent Media Arts Alliance

  • Benjamin J. Allard, Project Manager
  • Barbora Racevičiūtė and Emmanuel Madan, National Director
  • Marilyne Parent, Engagement Manager
  • Mercedes Pacho, Director of Communications and Development
  • Leyla Sutherland, Project Manager (internships and mentoring)

Translation and French linguistic revision
Coop l’Argot

Specialized linguistic revision
Cara Eastcott, George Azzaria, Maxime D.-Pomerleau, Véro Leduc and members of the working groups.

Moderators of the first round table
Anyse Ducharme, Genne Speers, John Blouin, Madeleine Piller, Roxane Halary et Stéphanie Lagueux.

Special thanks
Many people have accompanied this project with their advice and generosity.
Aaron Zeghers, Barb Taylor, Hélène Brousseau, Isabelle L’Heureux, Josée Plamondon, Laurence Parent.

 

About and Acknowledgements

An IMAA project

The Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) is a member-driven non-profit national organization working to advance and strengthen the media arts community in Canada. Representing over 100 independent film, video, audio, and new media production, distribution, and exhibition organizations in all parts of the country, the IMAA serves over 16,000 independent media artists and cultural workers.

Partners

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Archive/Counter-Archive, and Simon Fraser University.

We also thank the supporters of this project.