How We Began
The Creative Industries in Canada can be very proud of the work we have done together to change the culture of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and violence in our workplaces. Many of our industry partners came together to develop codes, policies, reporting mechanisms and educational resources that did much to change the collective culture.
During #MeToo many brave students and former students came forward to shine a light on problems in acting education. It became clear there was more work to do. In 2018 Got Your Back (GYB) created a National Acting Training Survey with over 500 students responding.
Simultaneously, ACTRA was working to address the cultural changes needed in the workplace and created an Ad Hoc Sexual Harassment Committee. A strong recommendation from the GYB survey and the ACTRA committee was to establish an Association for Acting Coaches and Educators that could provide oversight, guidance, community and educational resources.
The Association of Acting Coaches and Educators (AACE) started in Canada by gathering concerned industry partners, knowledgeable and dedicated educators, grassroots community groups and students. A working group was built with representatives from; ACTRA Toronto, CAEA, the CDC, the EIC, TAMAC, GYB, KAS, AGC, Schools/Studios, and educators they created an industry code of Code of Conduct, AACE Member guide and application process for AACE membership. AACE launched in August of 2022 with a first meeting of interested coaches and educators and began accepting applications soon after.
AACE has grown to 165+ members in every province in Canada, as well as Europe, USA, United Kingdom and Australia.
In 2025 AACE UK, the first international branch, was launched.
AACE members have made a positive commitment to work together to educate, support each other and create a safer work environment for both students and coaches.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
AACE’s mission is to build a community of respect-based coaches and educators by providing educational opportunities, encouraging the adoption of a code of conduct and establishing industry standards in acting education. Membership in AACE is voluntary and presently at no cost to those who share our values and mission. AACE members make a commitment to ongoing education and upholding the AACE Code of Conduct by being respectful, accountable, and honest as well as offering a learning environment free of harassment, discrimination, bullying, violence and abuse of any kind. Information provided by AACE on this website is for informational purposes only. AACE does not provide any professional or other services for or on behalf of its members or perform any duty owed by an AACE member to another person. AACE does not make any representations or guarantees with respect to the provision of coaching or educational services by its members. AACE, its founders and partners assume no responsibility or liability for the services provided by any member coach or educator and AACE encourages actors to do their own due diligence, and seek advice prior to engaging the services of any acting coach or educator.
2023 AACE Conference - Photo Credit Manon Bourgeois
