Paul Siren Fonds

1961-1996

Biographical History


Date 1917-2009

Paul Siren was born in Alppila, Ontario on July 19, 1917. Although forced to abandon his formal studies before the commencement of high school, Siren enjoyed a long and prominent career as a trade union leader and organizer. In 1942 Siren was appointed the International Representative of the United Auto Workers (UAW), a position that he held until 1960. From 1960 – 1964, Siren worked as an independent consultant for stakeholders in labour disputes.


After leaving the automobile manufacturing sector, Siren held several key positions in the creative community trade labour union movement. Posts held by Siren during this period include: General Secretary of ACTRA (1965 – 1985), member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Actors (1967 – 1985), Chairman of the English speaking group of the International Federation of Actors, (1973 – 1985), executive committee member for the International Federation of Artists, Canadian representative at UNESCO during the drafting of that group’s Recommendations on the Status of the Artist (1980), co-chairman of the Canadian Task Force on the Status of the Artist, and President of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (1988-90). Siren also served as a member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) External review Committee from 1985-87.


Siren was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career including the Association of Cultural Executives (ACE) award in 1990, The Canadian Conference of the Arts’ Diplôme D’Honneur in 1992, and appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987. Siren died in Toronto on May 31, 2009.

Extent and Medium

1.1 m of textual records
The fonds contains 1.1 m of textual material related to Paul Siren’s activities as an artist advocate. Includes correspondence, meeting minutes, printed materials, government reports, legislation, notes, working papers, and newspaper and magazine clippings. The records relate primarily to Siren’s engagement with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA), The Status of the Artist, and UNESCO. The fonds also contains less than 0.5 m of published periodicals featuring contribution from Siren. Periodicals include
ACTRA Scope, Arts Bulletin, Canadian Copyright Institute Newsletter, Arts News, Monthly Bulletin, Copyright Bulletin.

This fonds includes textual material relating to the following organizations:

Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA)
Canadian Advisory Committee on the status of the Artist (CACSA)
The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA)
Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
This fonds includes published textual material from the following periodicals:

ACTRA Scope
Arts Bulletin
Arts News
Canadian Copyright Institute Newsletter
Copyright Bulletin
Monthly Bulletin

Conditions governing access

Preservation concerns may limit access, consult archivist.

Paul Siren Fonds

Description
The fonds contains 1.1 m of textual material related to Paul Siren’s activities as an artist advocate. Includes correspondence, meeting minutes, printed materials, government reports, legislation, notes, working papers, and newspaper and magazine clippings. The records relate primarily to Siren’s engagement with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA), The Status of the Artist, and UNESCO. The fonds also contains less than 0.5 m of published periodicals featuring contribution from Siren. Periodicals include ACTRA Scope, Arts Bulletin, Canadian Copyright Institute Newsletter, Arts News, Monthly Bulletin, Copyright Bulletin. This fonds includes textual material relating to the following organizations: Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Canadian Advisory Committee on the status of the Artist (CACSA) The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) This fonds includes published textual material from the following periodicals: ACTRA Scope Arts Bulletin Arts News Canadian Copyright Institute Newsletter Copyright Bulletin Monthly Bulletin
Extent and Medium
1.1 m of textual records
Date Range
1961-1996