hey everyone ,
i know alot of canadians on here are NDP supporters.
well i just got this email about ways artists can contribute to help engage young voters.

check it out.



__________________________________________________ _________________________
Hi,

So, I'm cold-emailing a few Canadian artists to see if you'd be into contributing something to the NDP's campaign. (My apologies in advance for invading your space!)

Anyways, what I'm looking for are bands and artists that would be into supporting the NDP in various ways, much of which involves getting younger, and first-time voters, interested in voting and the NDP.

The NDP has just created a new website called “the Orange Room”. Basically they’re hoping to attract new and young voters to the NDP through interesting, creative and non-traditional ways. The site will work by allowing users to create and share content about the NDP. Also, the NDP has given a number of their touring staff video cameras so that they can shoot “behind the scene” videos of Jack Layton and the tour as they travel Canada during the election. All this will be available to view, comment on, and add content to in the 'Orange Room’


Where you come in (!) is that the NDP is hoping to attract a number of artists, musicians etc. that can help kick off the site (make kids interested). Naomi Klein has created the first video, talking about the NDP and Jack’s leadership, and we’re hoping to add to this.

What we’re looking for is very broad. We’re asking people to create short videos, art, multimedia.., graffiti, comics, animations etc. that speak directly or indirectly about the NDP or generally introducing them to the ‘Orange Room’ (it could have music or not). You could talk about Jack Layton himself, the NDP itself, both the NDP and Jack Layton, why you vote, what you want out of your government- or what you don’t, how you’re affected by arts cuts or anything else.

We're also going to have a section where people can ask Jack questions in the format of "Jack if/when you're prime minister what will you do about...." this could be an audio or a visual question


The art or video can be in any common format- If you could upload it and send it over the Internet, even better! It can be professional or DIY, basically whatever is easiest for you.


I'm really open to ideas- anything you think fits. Or if you know someone that would be into this, please pass it on.


We're looking for stuff as soon as people are able to send it. The site is launching monday or tuesday of this week, (the Canadian election is only 6 weeks long) and the vote is going to be on October 14.

If you want to submit something, or have any questions at all please let me know by email at jbrown@ndp.ca <mailto:jbrown@ndp.ca> or jen@arcadefire.com or phone at 514-561-1626 or 613-290-9357.

Thanks,

Jen


PS> Below is the NDP's official position on the arts cuts, for those of you who were asking.


THE NDP POSITION ON ARTS FUNDING CUTS

The federal NDP condemns the recent Conservative funding cuts to arts and culture programs vital to Canadian artists. These draconian cuts are a deliberate attack on the independence of the Canadian arts industry and completely bypass the appropriate process of consultation and public review.
Canada is home to a multi-million dollar arts and film industry. The Harper cuts damage the economic viability of this cultural industry that creates thousands of well-paying jobs. Clearly, it is bad fiscal management to slash important programs like PromArt and Trade Routes along with cuts to the Independent Video Fund and the Trust for preservation of audiovisual resources. These programs are instrumental to making the arts industry an international force and helping our artists to market and promote their work.
At stake here is the future of our Canadian musicians, artists and entrepreneurs in the arts and cultural sectors. With fewer opportunities to promote Canadian culture, the industry will continue to weaken and our place on the world arts stage will diminish. We should be proud to support our Canadian exports and not limit their freedom of expression through art.
The selective cuts come on the heels of Bill C-10 and plans by the Harper government to censor film in Canada that it deems "offensive". NDP MPs were the first to champion the fight to protect Canadians artists from this government’s determined attempts to force their tastes on the arts community and Canadians.
In speaking out against the cuts, NDP Culture and Heritage Bill Siksay Critic and Digital Culture Critic Charlie Angus defended diversity and freedom of expression as being central to our cultural identity and fundamental for a vibrant democracy.
New Democrats have a comprehensive plan aimed at defending the rights of artists as well as protecting Canadian consumers. Our Party is committed to fighting for the following policies:
Reversing efforts to legislate censorship (as demonstrated by Bill C-10) and reversing the government cuts to arts programs.
Introducing better rules around Canadian content, increasing public funding for the arts and support to artists, ensuring high quality made-in-Canada shows for everyday Canadians to enjoy and making sure that more shows on TV and radio reflect the cultural and linguistic specificity of Quebec and the francophone community.
Ending the practice of price gouging and "net throttling", preventing a two-tiered internet and stopping the big telecoms from ripping off consumers.
Strengthening public broadcasting and providing stable long-term funding for the CBC and Radio Canada.
Ensuring that any new copyright reform legislation must fairly address compensation for artists and must include proper consultations with stakeholders, including artists and artist groups, educators, software innovators, consumer groups, etc.

Canada’s NDP remain strong in our support of arts and culture initiatives that help to promote Canada’s cultural identity both at home and abroad.

Jack Layton