Canada

**Introduction: ** With over 34 million people populating the country, Canada is an area of vast distances and natural resources. Canada became a self-governing country in 1867, while retaining ties to Great Britain. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed along side the US, its southern neighbor, across the World's longest unfortified border. Canada is mostly made up of people who originate from the British Isles and France. The main language that is spoken in Canada is English, with French following. The arts have long flourished in Canada. Especially since the end of World War II in 1945. The Government's support has played a major role in their development enabling visual exposure through publications and periodicals featuring Canadian art, as has the establishment of numerous art schools and colleges across the country. The arts play a major role in Canada's society. The culture finds importance in all aspects of the arts: literature, theatre, visual arts, media, film, music, and much more.
 * Creative Arts of Canada, eh! ** By: Meghan Rohen

Justin Bieber is a musician, who was born on March 1, 1994, in Ontario, Canada. Justin Bieber was raised by a single mom in the small town of Stratford. This artist is a true overnight success, having gone from an unknown, untrained singer whose mother posted YouTube clips of her boy performing, to a budding superstar with a big-time record deal, all in just two years. Bieber always had an interest in music. His mother gave him a drum kit for his second birthday and, as he tells it, he was "basically banging on everything I could get my hands on." It was an obscure talent contest in his hometown, in which the 12-year-old Biebe that put him on the road to superstardom. As a way to share his singing with family, Justin and his mom began posting clips of Bieber performing covers of some of his favorite artists. It was a talent competition in his hometown that put him on the road to fame and fortune. Justin's mother wanted to share her son's talent with family members, so she would post videos of her son singing, online. Within a matter of months, Justin was an Internet sensation, with numerous crazed fans, and a manager arranging for the teen to consider signing a record deal. Bieber met with Usher, an American musician, who eventually signed Justin Bieber his first contract.
 * Accomplished Canadian Artist: Justin Bieber **

Some examples of Justin Bieber's work:

This is one of Justin Bieber's very first hits, called "Baby." With this song, Justin won the hearts of millions of fans all around the world.

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This is another one of Justin Bieber's hits. This song, called, "Never Say Never" was the theme song for his movie that was made about his journey to success. Justin Bieber spoke that "Never Say Never" is an example of his journey and how he never gave up on his dream. In his video, he inspired others to never give up on their goals.

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The ACT, Arts Centre & Theatre, is the home for culture and live entertainment in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. The Maple Ridge Arts Centre and Theatre is a non-profit public resource, serving the artistic and cultural needs of the diverse audiences in our community. Maple Ridge offers a wide range of activities throughout the year including live music, theatre and comedy to classes, workshops and events. The ACT also houses the Maple Ridge Art Gallery, which holds some of the best of visual arts in the community.
 * Successful Arts Organization: The Maple Ridge Arts Centre & Theatre **

List of art programs that are offered to the community:
 * Friday Night Dance
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Musical Theatre
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Circus School Summer Camp
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Drop in Dance Studios
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Art Classes offered to people aged Pre-School to Adult
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Music
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">School of Rawk (Rock Band Camp)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Full Day Arts Camps

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Like mentioned above, there is also an art gallery, that is available for the community to view. The gallery is a great representations of the visual arts in the community. The art gallery also holds events for the community to participate in. The gallery offers tours and real artists come in and talk to the community about their works.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">As I was doing research, I was surprised to find that the arts are not as integrated into the schooling system as I thought they would be. It may vary from province to province, but what I found is that from Kindergarten to High School graduation, the school systems only require one credit of the arts per school section. In elementary school, the students do have weekly art classes, like in the United States, but in middle school and high school, only one credit of the arts are actually required. I find this extremely interesting, for the fact that Canada seems to take pride in their arts and how it impacts their culture. I would say that, like the United States, Canada takes pride in the arts, but has yet to fully incorporate it into their schooling system. I'm sure people of the country see the importance of art in education, but are in the process of implicating it into the curriculum. As of right now, I would say that the arts are being excluded from the Canadian school systems.
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">School Arts Programs: **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">My schooling experience was VERY similar to the schooling experience that the students are offered in Canada. I actually was not very shocked at how similar they were. I have always viewed the United States and Canada as two countries that were always neck and neck in developing. While I was in school, I was only required a minimum of credits that were dedicated to the arts, just like what is expected of the students in Canada. While I was in school, I went out of my way to take more classes that were revolved around the arts. The classes that I took were considered electives. Not a lot of students chose to explore the arts when given the option.
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Conclusion: **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">I never viewed Canada as a country where the arts were important or culturally based. From doing research, I have found that I was wrong. I was very impressed at how many successful artists Canada has produced. It never occurred to me that Actors and Musicians, who are now in the United States, are Canadian born. While researching Art Organizations, I was shocked at how many organizations are offered to the communities in Canada. It was hard for me to pick which one I would like to present to the class. I think it is awesome that the Canadian Government helps fund Art Programs throughout the country. That shows that the government understands the importance of arts. Although that is true, I do think, like the United States, that the arts could be integrated into education more.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ca.html
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Sources: **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3595501/bio

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.theactmapleridge.org/about-the-act

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/graduate.html

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5-P9v3F8w

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4