Opportunity: Qualified Caribou Hair Tufting Instructor needed asap (Tasiujaq, Nunavik, Quebec)

“…we would love to have these kind of art workshops in our region” -Sammy J.Kudluk, Makivik/Aumaaggiivik Arts Liaison.

Qualified Caribou Hair Tufting Instructor needed a.s.a.p. (Tasiujaq, Nunavik, Quebec)

Event – Nunavik Annual Artistic Workshops / 9th Edition
Location – Tasiujaq, Nunavik, Quebec  (small community of 350 to 400 population)
Number of participants -  42 Inuit participants from Nunavik region
Duration -  10 working days (including Saturdays (Sundays off))
Payment: All workshop instructor’s travel, accommodation, per diems, logistics are contracted at $280.00/day as well as travel days paid ($75/day). Hotels on route to and from the event are included. Instructors have come from as far away as Pangnituq, Yellowknife, Toronto and so forth.

Funding support for the Nunavik Annual Artistic Workshops is provided by Canadian Heritage, the regional government and the Makivik Corporation.

Related events – soapstone carving, jewelry making, painting, portfolio making, business advice, art exhibition and sale, art assistants at hand, funding applications, community feast, and more!

If you, or someone you know, is interested and qualified for the position please contact Sammy a.s.a.p. for details at:

Sammy J.Kudluk
Makivik/Aumaaggiivik Arts Liaison
P,O, Box 179, Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Quebec
J0M 1C0
(819) 964 2925 ext 268
1 877 625 4845 toll free in Nunavik
s_kudluk@makivik.org

Profile: ArtsSmarts/GénieArts (Canada-wide)

In the process of identifying community arts projects, resources, organizations and programs throughout Canada, ArtBridges kept coming across ArtsSmarts projects. Many were found in rural and remote communities where arts services or opportunities seemed to be very limited.

ArtsSmarts was founded in 1998 by the J. W. McConnell Family Foundation on the premise that engaging young people in artistic activity is critical to their evolution as creative thinkers and that a creative intellect is a crucial asset for young people as they navigate their way in the new knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. This valuable national organization continues to bring arts into schools across Canada today.

Over the past decade, the ArtsSmarts model has evolved from a focus on the effects of learning through the arts to capturing the potential of the arts as a way of learning. Creative projects across Canada have demonstrated the potential of the ArtsSmarts model to inspire innovative teaching and learning that supports the achievement of provincial learning outcomes and the development of a wide range of 21st century competencies, which create a framework for success.

In classrooms, the ArtsSmarts model is designed to engage students in creative inquiry about topics that span many different subject areas of the curriculum. At the core of this project model is a sustained collaboration between an artist-teacher team. The practicing artist and classroom teacher plan together, work together in the classroom and modify their actions based on joint reflection and assessment. ArtsSmarts projects require the artist and teacher to share learning, ownership and control, and adapt to new ways of collaborating. Tailored to the context, and designed as a process, the artist-teacher team works together with students through the process of inquiry-based learning to answer the BIG questions, produce their own ideas and solutions, and reflect on their work. Students take ownership of their projects and take the risks necessary to answer compelling questions, solve problems, and make their learning visible through different art forms.

ArtsSmarts has changed the way that teachers see the role of art and creativity in education; 78% of teachers agree that they teach differently now (by combining arts with core subjects), 85% would continue to work with artists in the future. ArtsSmarts has made a positive difference within schools by increasing engagement and learning.

ArtsSmarts is neither a program delivery model nor a centralized model. ArtsSmarts facilitates partnerships to ensure the best chance of sustainability; each community partner raises funds for their own project. On the ground, it is the partnerships who bring the ArtsSmarts model of teaching and learning to life. ArtsSmarts doesn’t deliver its approach in schools; its partners do. In 2009-10, more than 22,042 children and youth in 138 communities across the country had an ArtsSmarts experience.

ArtsSmarts works in schools grades K-12 through collaboration with 16 partnerships and more than 80 organizations across Canada. These partnerships, which can be local, regional or provincial, coordinate ArtsSmarts projects with local schools and artist-teacher teams. Historically, approximately 42% of ArtsSmarts projects took place in rural or remote communities, several of which are located on reserves.

ArtsSmarts partnerships are formed from various fields and sectors such as arts education, school boards, art galleries and government ministries. ArtsSmarts’ role is to bring together these uncommon and unlikely partners in order to generate conversations, activities, and support around the transformative power of the arts as a way of learning. Each community prioritizes, sets their own objectives and program targets, then selects the schools that they will work with. For example, in Durham Region, the partnership focuses on student success initiatives and working with students at-risk. In New Brunswick, the francophone partnership works to promote and maintain Francophone/Acadian culture.

The bilingual organization has two full-time staff who support partnerships as well as offer an annual learning symposium and coordinate research on the ArtsSmarts program. The head office is based in Ottawa.

ArtsSmarts’ goals this year are to develop a tool kit of the ArtsSmarts model, harmonize program delivery, host a learning symposium in October 4-6, 2010 in Montreal, look at formalizing and achieving 100% participation in their student engagement survey, design a new strategic vision to guide the organization, and, improve the design format of qualitative research.

Their strategy is not to expand by adding more projects rapidly, but to go deeper into each community they are already working within in order to provide better programming. They continue to work on a rubric which is an evaluation and measurement tool for their projects.

ArtsSmarts’ challenges this year are to achieve goals within their budget and to fundraise in order to maintain their half-million dollar budget.

ArtBridges interview april 19 2010 Annalee Adair, Executive Director

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

Upcoming conference: ArtsSmarts eXchange 2010 (Montréal)

To find out more about how to register for ArtsSmarts eXchange 2010 (October 4-5) , please visit the ArtsSmarts webpage. (The following are excerpts from ArtsSmarts’ e-bulletin)

Event: Subtext Multi-Arts Festival, a celebration of art in the community (Scarborough)

For more information about The Bridging Project, click here.

Knowledge Exchange: Sustainable Thinking and Expression on Public Space (STEPS) Initiative [Canada-wide]

“Since 2009, the Sustainable Thinking and Expression on Public Space (STEPS) Initiative has been promoting sustainable and community-centred public spaces. We promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between individuals and collectives who use art to re-define public space, especially in urban environments (Public Space ARTivism). ” (from Who we are page)

“Do you have a strong connection with your local environment? Enjoy seeing your neighbourhood come alive during community festivals? Want to bring your neighbours together to celebrate in community space?

We are, the Sustainable Thinking and Expression on Public Space (STEPS) Initiative, a group of artists, activists, architects, and academics, collectively promoting sustainable and community-centred public spaces. We are committed to using art to challenge and change the ways in which public spaces are currently being used, especially in urban environments.

Have you been involved in the production of a community mosaic, labyrinth or street theatre performance? Do you know of projects that use art to transform public space? Know of related upcoming events or resources?  Send us a message.” (from Homepage)

Contact Alexis Kane Speer, Founding Director of STEPS Initiative:  info@stepsinitiative.com

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

Education: “Certificate in Community-Based Arts Practice the first of its kind east of Montreal” (Halifax)

“New NSCAD program promotes art as a tool for community development and education

Certificate in Community-Based Arts Practice the first of its kind east of Montreal

(Halifax, September 2, 2010) NSCAD University’s School of Extended Studies is launching a new professional development program designed to train leaders in developing, managing and facilitating community arts projects.

The new Certificate in Community-Based Art Practice will meet the needs of artists interested in applying their talents and skills to working in the community, along with educators and individuals working with community-based organizations who want to incorporate the arts into their programming.

“As a collective expression, community-based art can provide a voice for the community or create a space for community reflection or celebration,” says Sharon Blanchard, Director of the School of Extended Studies. “At the heart of community-based art is a belief in cultural and creative expression as a means to effect deep and lasting personal and social change.”

“The certificate program will integrate theory and practice in the training of leaders capable of developing, coordinating and facilitating projects that involve using the arts within a wide variety of community and educational contexts, and with diverse communities,” explains Blanchard.

The two-term program, which includes a 14-hour community practicum, starts September 25 and runs evenings and Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Participants will gain a theoretical and historical overview of community-based arts, develop skills and models for facilitating learning using the arts, and build their project development and management capabilities in areas such as budgeting, fundraising and communication. Each student will also develop and facilitate a project using arts in the community.

“Incorporating the arts – whether it’s theatre, dance, storytelling or visual arts – into the community, and into work with multiple populations, is an exciting and growing field,” says Tessa Mendel, course coordinator and facilitator. “The arts can really bring people together; they inspire and connect us, and make it possible to express our stories and our voices.”

“This is the first really comprehensive program of this kind being offered east of Montreal – and I’m thrilled to be involved with making it happen at NSCAD,” adds Mendel, a theatre educator
and director with more than twenty-five years experience facilitating community-based art both throughout Canada and internationally.

Registrations are currently being accepted for the Certificate in Community-Based Arts Practice, which is eligible for T2202 Education Amount Certificate. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or enrolling is encouraged to contact the NSCAD University School of Extended Studies by calling (902) 494-8185 or e-mailing extendedstudies@nscad.ca.

One of North America’s premier universities of the visual arts, NSCAD University educates the creative leaders of tomorrow. Founded in 1887, NSCAD offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine arts, design, craft and media arts.

For further information, please contact:
Sharon Blanchard
Director, School of Extended Studies
NSCAD University
902.494.8153
sblanchard@nscad.ca
www.nscad.ca“

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

New NSCAD program promotes art as a tool for community development and education
Certificate in Community-Based Arts Practice the first of its kind east of Montreal
(Halifax, September 2, 2010) NSCAD University’s School of Extended Studies is launching a new professional development program designed to train leaders in developing, managing and facilitating community arts projects.
The new Certificate in Community-Based Art Practice will meet the needs of artists interested in applying their talents and skills to working in the community, along with educators and individuals working with community-based organizations who want to incorporate the arts into their programming.
“As a collective expression, community-based art can provide a voice for the community or create a space for community reflection or celebration,” says Sharon Blanchard, Director of the School of Extended Studies. “At the heart of community-based art is a belief in cultural and creative expression as a means to effect deep and lasting personal and social change.”
“The certificate program will integrate theory and practice in the training of leaders capable of developing, coordinating and facilitating projects that involve using the arts within a wide variety of community and educational contexts, and with diverse communities,” explains Blanchard.
The two-term program, which includes a 14-hour community practicum, starts September 25 and runs evenings and Saturdays to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Participants will gain a theoretical and historical overview of community-based arts, develop skills and models for facilitating learning using the arts, and build their project development and management capabilities in areas such as budgeting, fundraising and communication. Each student will also develop and facilitate a project using arts in the community.
“Incorporating the arts – whether it’s theatre, dance, storytelling or visual arts – into the community, and into work with multiple populations, is an exciting and growing field,” says Tessa Mendel, course coordinator and facilitator. “The arts can really bring people together; they inspire and connect us, and make it possible to express our stories and our voices.”
“This is the first really comprehensive program of this kind being offered east of Montreal – and I’m thrilled to be involved with making it happen at NSCAD,” adds Mendel, a theatre educator
and director with more than twenty-five years experience facilitating community-based art both throughout Canada and internationally.
Registrations are currently being accepted for the Certificate in Community-Based Arts Practice, which is eligible for T2202 Education Amount Certificate. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or enrolling is encouraged to contact the NSCAD University School of Extended Studies by calling (902) 494-8185 or e-mailing extendedstudies@nscad.ca.
One of North America’s premier universities of the visual arts, NSCAD University educates the creative leaders of tomorrow. Founded in 1887, NSCAD offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine arts, design, craft and media arts.
For further information, please contact:
Sharon Blanchard
Director, School of Extended Studies
NSCAD University
902.494.8153
sblanchard@nscad.ca
http://www.nscad.ca

Amnesty International Toronto’s Project: Urban Canvas (Summer 2010)

photograph by Susan Ashukian

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ARTICLE 13: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement.

Amnesty International, AI Toronto (AITO) Project : Urban Canvas

“The goal of the project is to create 30 murals, in the GTA, that depict each of the 30 human rights Articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The project engages mural artists, local community projects and young people who, together, help raise public awareness about human rights issues worldwide.” – Elena Dumitru, Toronto Regional Development Coordinator, Amnesty International. urbancanvas@aito.ca

“Mural 13 Artist: Arts Etobicoke’s mission is to engage all people in West Toronto with the arts and artists in their own community. The organization fosters and sustains local arts activities by involving special and diverse audiences, it increases accessibility of the arts for residents of Etobicoke, and it creates broad community awareness of local arts organizations and artists through collaboration with community partners.

Dionne Brand, City of Toronto Poet Laureate, is the author of the poem for Arts Etobicoke’s mural. Click here to download the poem from Article 13′s Mural.

Susan Rowe Harrison is the designer of Arts Etobicoke’s mural.

William Lazos is the painter of the wall.”

painter William Lazo, photo by Susan Ashukian

Also, here is a video clip from one of last year’s murals, Article 2:  Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in [the] Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.“

video by Florin Zamfirescu

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

Creative Mosaics: Mentoring in Community Arts & Culture (Scarborough)

“Creative Mosaics: Mentoring in Community Arts & Culture responding to the lack of culturally diverse arts programming in Scarborough.

We are currently looking for interested community groups and artists to share with us what they want and need!

Creative Mosaics: Mentoring in Community Arts & Cultures- A Needs & Capacity Assessment is a collaborative project created to respond to the lack of culturally inclusive arts programming available for newcomers, youth and culturally diverse communities.

A needs and capacity building assessment is currently being conducted engaging children, youth, community members, artists and cultural leaders through community discussions, focus groups, surveys and outreach.

The Purpose of the project is to:
(1)    Identify the interest in and need for culturally diverse arts programs in Scarborough.
(2)    Identify barriers to involvement or participation by specific cultural communities in Scarborough.
(3)    Identify good practices in intergenerational and mentoring practices for culturally diverse arts programming.
(4)    Explore how we can better support professional and emerging artists from culturally diverse communities in Scarborough.

The Goal of the assessment is to achieve a fully developed proposal with the capacity for an arts and cultural program that will involve mentorship and intergenerational components,provide learning opportunities in the arts and an exploration of diverse cultural identities.”

Please contact Cian Knights, Program Coordinator of Creative Mosaics for more information (416-698-7322) and fill out their survey.

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

Creative Mosaics: Mentoring in Community Arts & Cultures- A Needs & Capacity Assessment is a collaborative project created to respond to the lack of culturally inclusive arts programming available for newcomers, youth and culturally diverse communities.

A needs and capacity building assessment is currently being conducted engaging children, youth, community members, artists and cultural leaders through community discussions, focus groups, surveys and outreach.

The Purpose of the project is to:

(1)    Identify the interest in and need for culturally diverse arts programs in Scarborough.

(2)    Identify barriers to involvement or participation by specific cultural communities in Scarborough.

(3)    Identify good practices in intergenerational and mentoring practices for culturally diverse arts programming.

(4)    Explore how we can better support professional and emerging artists from culturally diverse communities in Scarborough.

The Goal of the assessment is to achieve a fully developed proposal with the capacity for an arts and cultural program that will involve mentorship and intergenerational components,provide learning opportunities in the arts and an exploration of diverse cultural identities.