Canada’s Cultural Program at Expo 2020

****************************** The amendment 003 is raise to answer questions from the industry and extend the closing date to March 24, 2020. ****************************** The amendment 002 is raise to answer questions from the industry. ****************************** The amendment 001 is raise to answer questions from the industry and extend the closing date to March 17th, 2020. ****************************** Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is seeking a Contractor with key team members that will manage and deliver project management and event production services.  The Contractor’s team will have experience in many aspects for cultural events. The Contractor will work with GAC’s Canada Expo 2020 Dubai team to design, plan, deliver and manage Canada’s Cultural Program in support of Canada’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai. Canada’s Cultural Program will represent, to the degree possible, the spectrum of Canada’s artistic and cultural products during the Expo period. The Cultural Program will reflect Canada’s values and ethics. Canada’s Cultural Program is a vehicle to increase Canada’s visibility on the Expo 2020 grounds, as well as attract visitors to the Canada Pavilion. Given that the Cultural Program represents an ideal medium to foster UAE-Canada connections, there is a need to develop a strong Cultural Program, which reflects the diversity of our performing, visual and literary arts sector.  The mandatory components of Canada’s Cultural Program at Expo 2020 include:

A one-day event on January 28, 2021, to celebrate Canada’s National Day, which will be the main conduit to showcase Canada’s rich cultural diversity, where visitors at the Expo can gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Canada’s history, heritage and communities. Canada’s National Day VIP ceremony (approximately fifty invited guests of Canada) will take place at the Al Wasl Plaza (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfJqMWePE8g). This will represent only one component of Canada’s National Day celebration that will need to be coordinated with the Expo Organizer and their programming for National Days. It is anticipated, as part of the Contractor’s scope of work, that other activities will be planned in the Canada Pavilion and across the broader Expo grounds. The programming of high-quality and impactful cultural activities such as dancers, musicians, digital arts, litterature, theater events, performing arts, etc. (subject to availability of venues, as determined with the Expo Organizer) on as many days as possible and across multiple locations on the Expo site during the six-month Expo period. All programming must be approved by the Project Authority.The Contractor will be required to focus on engaging and promoting renowned Canadian artists and creators, including emerging artists that are primed for international recognition, are export ready and would like to develop a market in the MENASA region. A strong representation of Indigenous artists is mandatory. The Cultural Program must feature the best Canada has to offer and therefore the selected artists will have to have already proven themselves in Canada and are considered professionals in the industry. As well, the Contractor must ensure that the proposed artists reflect Canada’s cultural diversity while maintaining a linguistic and geographic balance and a fair gender representation.