Did you know? Toronto, Canada holds the title of hosting the 9th and 25th June Congresses.  The theme in 1995 was “Technological Change & The Performing Arts” and the opening session was “Debunking This Thing Called Technology”.

ground·break·ing (n.) - the ceremonial beginning; the act of starting something

ground·break·ing (adj.) - being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before; innovative: "stylistically innovative works"; "innovative members of the artistic community"; "a mind so innovative, so original"

Groundbreaking represents Toronto on a number of levels; there are a multitude of new facilities, innovative festivals, and truly original creative people who come from all over the world to live and work in the greater Toronto area.  Home to hundreds of performing arts organizations, the Toronto 2011 Planning Committee was honored to showcase the region’s vibrant and diverse culture during ISPA’s 25th June Congress.

The Toronto 2011 Congress explored groundbreaking experiences with a wide array of topics where ‘Groundbreaking’ work was taking place:  with respect to cultural spaces, in technology, through fostering long term relationships with new audiences, new funding models, and how the arts could initiate dialogue around political and social issues.  Central to the dialogue was the delegates' participation so that in turn, the entire delegation could hear about innovative new adaptations occurring elsewhere in the world.