Welcome! I'm glad you're here.
We can build a more welcoming community in the arts, for everyone.
Building Welcoming Communities in the Arts
Hi, I’m Rachel. I am an English teacher, an elementary school teacher, a law school graduate, a choral singer, and a small business owner. For the last 16 months, I have operated and directed the Halifax Newcomer Choir in Nova Scotia, Canada. The choir exists to provide English language practice and community building opportunities for newcomers and locals in the Halifax area.
In one year, we have grown from five singers to more than 30 singers. We have a regular performance schedule, and have increased our knowledge of English, our exposure to Canadian culture, and have made lots of new friends.
Now, I help other arts organizations figure out how to build welcoming communities in the arts, so that newcomers feel comfortable joining as participants or audience members.
What’s the Substack for?
Lots of arts organizations are operated by small teams, on even smaller budgets. This space will offer free advice, tips, and blog posts to help organizations take action straight away.
If you want to continue to receive updates from this page, use the Subscribe button below:
What else can I learn?
You’ll find lots of useful advice just on this site. But if you’re interested in bringing me in to your organization, learning about trauma, getting a membership for my services, or taking my course on Building Welcoming Communities, you can find more information at www.orchardviewcoaching.com.
If you want to join my email list, you can click here.
If you’d like to book time to chat with Rachel about anything you see here, or on orchardviewcoaching.com, you can do that simply by clicking on this link, and choosing a time in the calendar that is convenient. Meetings will be held via Google Meet.
How are we defining ‘newcomer’?
A newcomer, in this context, is an immigrant, refugee, temporary foreign worker, international student, or other individual who has found themselves in a new country - for whatever reason, under any political or immigration status. Newcomers may also be people who have come from another province, state, or county.
Who is this site for?
Anyone who is involved with newcomers, involved with the arts (dance, drama, fine art, music, etc.), or both. You might be an arts student, interested in arts management, or be the executive director of a music or dance company. You might be an English teacher, or a music teacher in an elementary or high school. You might work for a settlement or literacy agency. You might just find the topic interesting!