Profile: Stratford Youth Can-Do (Stratford, PEI)

Profile: Stratford Youth Can-Do
Status: Not for profit community youth based organization
Community served: Youth ages 10+
Region served: Stratford and surrounding areas. Prince Edward Island
Languages: English and French
Arts focus: Drama, theatre, dance, visual arts and music
Summary of Main Art Activities: Youth Can-Do Drama Program stages two plays a year. For the past 9 years this has included a Shakespearian play with youth ages 10 and up.
The youth are encouraged to participate in all aspects of a drama production from directing, lighting, costume creations, set design, acting, promotion, and more.
Mandate: The Stratford Youth Can-Do began in 1999 with a mandate to provide alternative recreational activities and leadership opportunities for youth ages 10 and up living in Stratford and surrounding areas.
There is no fee to join YCD but we do request 10 hours of community volunteer service to maintain membership.
YCD also operates a Youth Drop-In Centre for youth grades 5 to 12.
Contact: Tanya Craig, Recreation Program Leader
Phone number: 902-569-6925
E-mail: tcraig@town.stratford.pe.ca
Website: www.youthcando.ca
Facebook: Stratford Ycd
Address: 234 Shakespeare Drive, Stratford, PEI C1B 2V8

-submitted by Tanya Craig, Recreation Program Leader, Stratford Youth Can-Do

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Profile: grunt gallery (Vancouver)

Above photo used with permission from grunt gallery.

Profile: grunt gallery
Status: Not-for-profit organization, Artist-run Centre
Community Served: Artists
Arts Focus: Visual and Media Art
Language(s): English
Location: Vancouver, BC (Mountpleasant)
Mandate: Grunt is an artist-run centre founded in 1984 in Vancouver, BC, with a vision to be an international renowned artist-run centre furthering contemporary art practice. Through the exploration of our diverse Canadian cultural identity we offer innovative public programming in exhibitions, performances, artist talks, publications and special projects. Our mandate is to inspire public dialogue by creating an environment conducive to the emergence of innovative, collaborative, and provocative Canadian contemporary art.
Main Arts Activities/Projects: Grunt gallery has long been committed to presenting creative work that is cutting edge, challenging and often controversial – work that would not be championed or exposed otherwise. This is a vital service that we provide to our local, regional, and national community, and one that we continue to take seriously.
Over the past 29 years we have produced literally hundreds of projects encompassing exhibitions, performances, media art presentations, publications and special projects, almost all of which are offered free of charge to our thousands of community participants each year. In addition, our extensive websites have been online since 1994.
Within Vancouver we have forged long-term engagements with the jazz, theatre and writing communities as well as many different communities of visual artists. Our other collaborations are based in aesthetics and identity – such as associations with the Aboriginal and Asian communities, and recently with the local and national Latino communities. In addition, with the creation of our new Media Lab (“gruntKitchen”) earlier this year, we are now also turning our attention to a significant expansion of our media art programming.
Contact: Glenn Alteen, Director
Phone Number: (604) 875-9516
E-mail: demian@grunt.ca
Website: grunt.ca, grunt photo archive, Beat Nation site, Beat Nation @ Vancouver Art Gallery, Beat Nation performances
Address: 350 E 2nd, Unit 116, Vancouver, BC V5T 4R8

Submitted by Demian Petryshyn, Coordinator
grunt gallery

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for contact information.

Jumblies Studio – Essays by Artists: Out of Place, Issue 2

“We are proud to announce the publication of Out Of Place, Issue 2: our second collection of essays by artists associated with our Jumblies Studio activities and events. This issue contains writings by Mindy Stricke (about her work with new mothers and photography on the Welcome to Motherland project), Leah Houston (about community arts and feminism), Lisa Marie DiLiberto (about working in clown and humour), Chris Wilson (about his experience as a musician in community-based theatre), and Ruth Howard (about a Jumblies research project with Nightswimming Theatre). Photos by Mindy Stricke and Katherine Fleitas are featured, and layout is by up-and-coming young film-maker and Jumblies board member, Yonah Lewis.

You can order a print copy for $12 (including postage) or download the pdf for $5 on our website at: http://www.jumbliestheatre.org/newsroom/store.

You can also get a copy of the first issue if you didn’t get it before (with essays by: Liz Rucker, Eric Schwindt, Diana Tso, Maggie Hutcheson, and Michael Burtt).

Please considering supporting Jumblies buy getting your copy, enjoy the reading and send us any comments, feedback and suggestions for future issues.”

-submitted by Ruth Howard, Artistic Director, Jumblies Theatre

Please read ArtBridges’ Jumblies Profile.
Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for more information.

Profile: Ottawa Urban Arts (Ottawa)

Profile: Ottawa Urban Arts
Status: Not-for-profit organization
Community served: Youth, Adults, Homeless, First Nations
Arts focus: Urban Visual Arts
Language: English
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Mandate: We are an eclectic group of professional urban and graffiti artists, who work in a variety of mediums and styles. Our roots are in aerosol arts, hip hop and street culture. We represent a local branch of an international movement, uniting Ottawa’s street artists in an internally mentored collective designed to provide alternative outlets for expression, while raising awareness about the creative side of graffiti.
Main arts activities: It is our goal to help transform neighborhoods and communities, unite residents, property owners and youth groups, and teach youth to make their voice heard in positive, creative ways. We work with business owners, community associations, youth groups, and the city to create murals through artistic mentorship programs geared towards community enhancement.
Contact: Cassandra Dickie – Mike Davis
Phone number: 613-863-7277 – 613-240-4904
E-mail: info@ottawaurbanarts.com
Website: www.ottawaurbanarts.com
Address: Ottawa, ON

-submitted by Cassandra Dickie, Ottawa Urban Arts

Please see ArtBridges’ Google map for more information.

Profile: Supporting Our Youth (SOY) – a program of Sherbourne Health Centre (Toronto)

Profile: SOY : Supporting Our Youth a program of Sherbourne Health Centre
Status: Sherbourne Health Centre is a not-for-profit organization
Community served: SOY serves LGBTQ youth ages 16 – 29. This includes youth who are homeless and underhoused, black youth, First Nations, and newcomers.
Arts focus:  SOY has many programs and groups where art is the focus:
Fruit Loopz: Fruit Loopz Youth Stage at Pride is a festival of arts, words and ideas for spectrum (LGBTQ) youth, by spectrum youth. Fruit loopz includes talented young musicians, slam poets, dancers, actors, drag artists and more.

Pink Ink: A writing group for queer/trans youth. Pink Ink is a conscious, multi-disciplinary, for-youth-by-youth writing program for queer, transgender, Two Spirit and questioning youth writers in Toronto. Sponsored by Toronto Arts Council.

Shift: SOY’s photography project, in partnership with Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography. Shift is a program for youth who are interested in learning about photography, camera operation, darkroom printing, and creative expression. Sponsored by Toronto Arts Council.

Language: English
Location: Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M5A 2S5
Mandate: Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an exciting, dynamic community development program designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto through the active involvement of youth and adult communities. We work to create healthy arts, culture and recreational spaces for young people; to provide supportive housing and employment opportunities; and to increase youth access to adult mentoring and support.
Main arts activities: See Art Focus
Contact: Bev Lepischak Program Manager & Clare Nobbs Program Coordinator – Community Programs
Phone number: 416-324-5077
E-mail: soy@sherbourne.on.ca
Website: www.soytoronto.org
Address: 333 Sherbourne Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M5A 2S5

-submitted by Clare Nobbs Program Coordinator – Community Programs, SOY

Please see ArtBridges’ Google map for more information.

Profile: Die Active Art Collective (Thunder Bay, ON)

Photo taken by Brent Linton

Profile: Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s Youth Art Collective: “Die Active”
Status: Definitly Superior Art Gallery is a not-for-profit organization
Community served: Artists / Youth / Adults / First Nations
Location: Based out of Thunder Bay Ontario
Arts focus: We are a multi-disciplinary gallery presenting contemporary visual arts exhibitions, media arts, theatre, dance & music. The Die Active Art Collective focuses on delivering art workshops, mentorship and art creation to emerging artists in the region.
Language: English
Gallery Mandate: Incorporated in 1988 and working at the dynamic edge, DefSup is an Artist Run Centre that operates as a distinct alternative to public art galleries, museums, and commercial art galleries. Our mandate goes beyond presenting visual art exhibitions, and extends into multi-disciplinary activities such as artist workshops and lectures, artists film/video screenings, youth art education, media arts installations, off site public art works, performance art, experimental sound/audio, music and literary events. The gallery presents up to 50+ exhibitions, events and activities, supporting as many as 750+ multi-disciplinary artists with a viewing and participating audience of 20,000 per year.

Die Active Mandate: Ongoing throughout the year, this project is aimed at mentoring and supporting future young artists while creating a unique and contemporary alternative publication. Die Active is a youth collective of artists ranging from ages fourteen to thirty. With a membership of close to three hundred, its purpose is to mentor young artists on the artist-run model of working as a collective by encouraging them to bring a series of practical, collective projects into fruition. The Die Active members become future gallery members, volunteers, and artists who exhibit with us and other galleries. They are also the individuals with the skills and leadership to develop their own arts and culture projects that help to enrich the city’s arts community.

The program involves youth outreach, the formation of a summer art collective, workshops and mentorship, the completion of several community arts projects, and the creation of a zine package. Die Active engages youth in a unique and important way, fulfilling a need in the experiences of youth in Thunder Bay. Hundreds of hidden artists, experimenting and developing their art; be it photography, painting, drawing, graffiti, music, poetry, or prose, are drawn together to receive mentorship and professional development in Die Active.

Purpose/Goals of Die Active Art Collective: To increase the visibility of new and young artists in Thunder Bay, and secondly, to foster creativity and collaboration which strengthens community and encourages sustainable practices and alternative models for working. We promote the sharing of ideas, skills, and resources through the celebration of art, craft, education, and performance. The collective networks artists with each other, offering mentorship, exhibition opportunities and special projects. It in turn creates a hub of new and diverse local talent. The workshop element of the collective ensures that artists are fed creatively; new methods of art making are exchanged as well as artistic development encouraged and celebrated. Definitely Superior offers a space for youth to meet and become acquainted with each other, the art community, and artistic opportunities and resources. It exposes them to regional, national and international artists, to exhibition opportunities, to alternative models of working and provides tools for artists and project experimentation.

Contact: Lora Northway- Youth/Community Outreach Administrator
Phone number: (807) 344-3814
E-mail: loradefsup@hotmail.com
Websites: http://www.definitelysuperior.com/
http://definitelysuperior.tumblr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/defsup
http://vimeo.com/user5321009/videos
https://twitter.com/#!/DefSup

-submitted by Lora Northway, Community Outreach Administrator

Please see ArtBridges Google map for contact information.

Nous avons besoin de votre contribution!: Sondage sur la conception du site web de la ToileDesArts/ArtBridges

Cher et chères ami(e)s et commanditaires,

Nous travaillons à développer un site web interactif pour la ToileDesArts/ArtBridges afin d’atteindre un plus vaste public – ceux qui travaillent et font du bénévolat en les arts communautaires tout comme ceux qui participent à ces initiatives à travers le Canada.

Nous avons donc créé un sondage et nous avons besoin de votre contribution!

Puisque nous avons des partenaires en les communautés rurales, urbaines, et du nord, nous voulons être sûrs d’atteindre un grand nombre de personnes qui appartiennent à différents démographiques.

Les réponses écrites sont pas requises, il s’agit de choisir les options qui s’appliquent. Vous pouvez rester anonymes.
Le sondage prend que dix minutes de votre temps – juste assez pour savourer une tasse de thé ou café!

Suivez ce lien pour accéder au sondage: http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/sondage…

Mille mercis et passez une belle journée!

-Alexa de Repentigny-MacAulay, Assistante de recherche francophone, ToileDesArts

Profile: Harcourt House Artists’ Run Centre (Edmonton)

Alexandria, a “painting done by a woman who regularly attends our free drop in classes. She used to live in Alexandria, Egypt and she is legally blind.” – Derek Brook. Photo provided by Harcourt House

Profile: Harcourt House Artists’ Run Centre
Status: Not-for-Profit
Community served: Youths, newcomers, children, low income, artists
Region served: Greater Edmonton area as well as some reach nationally and internationally
Language: English
Arts focus: Visual art and art education
Summary of Main Art Activities: Harcourt House has 38 studios that we rent to artists at a very reasonable rate. About 1/3 what a similar space would go for in the same area.
We also have two gallery spaces that change over ten times a year. This attracts artists from all over the world.
We have an extensive art education program which includes short term classes and workshops but also year round drop in sessions. Three times a week we have life drawing sessions that we charge $10 per session (discount for members). Once a week we have the same sort of thing for sculptors. Capital Health has drop in classes once a week ($2.50) where various art programs taught and on Fridays we have our Adult Art Enrichment program which is totally free to anyone who wishes to attend.
In the summer we run four one week summer camps. Three for children and one week for teens. Usually, but not always the Executive Director tries to find one talented youth who does not have the funds needed and donates the fee and the supplies needed. If the Executive Directors fund is not used for the Summer Camps it might be used later in the year for various other art classes.
Harcourt House who’s unofficial motto is “Art Saves Lives” has also loaned some of its artists to deserving programs such as Kids With Cancer, The Youth Emergency Shelter and The Canadian Liver Foundation.
We are also a centre for issuing Cultural Access Passes to new Canadians

Mandate: Harcourt House Art Centre is a destination for contemporary visual art. We are a centre of excellence that has active participation, provides targeted programming and is sustainable.
Contact: Derek Brooks, Executive Director
Phone number: 780-426-4180
E-mail: harcourted@shaw.ca
Website: harcourthouse.ab.ca
Address: 10215-112 Street N/W, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1M7

-submitted by Derek Brooks, Executive Director, Harcourt House Artists’ Run Centre

Please see ArtBridges’ Google map for more information.

Profil: Le Centre communautaire francophone de Truro (CCFT)

Mini Profil: Le Centre communautaire francophone de Truro (CCFT)
Position: Le Centre communautaire francophone de Truro (CCFT) , un organisme sans but lucratif incorporé en 2007, fut fondé par un groupe de citoyens de la région avec l’objectif d’offrir des activités sociales, culturelles et éducatives en français, tout en créant un lieu où la communauté francophone peut se rassembler et se rencontrer.
Communauté visée pour la programmation d’art: Dans le recensement de 2001, 410 résidents du comté de Colchester indiquaient que leur langue maternelle était le français, et 2505 indiquaient qu’ils pouvaient tenir une conversation en français. En 2006, la population francophone montait à 550, et 3,040 personnes (plus que 6% de la population du comté) indiquaient leur habileté de tenir une conversation en français. Notre région est en croissance, et notre population francophone aussi. C’est un bon moment pour affirmer notre culture et prendre notre place dans la communauté!
Discipline d’art: Multidisciplinaire: arts visuels, théâtre, arts médiatiques, et musique.
Langue(s) utilisée(s): Français et anglais
Région: Le Centre communautaire francophone de Truro offre une gamme de programmes culturels, sociaux et éducatifs à la communauté francophone et acadienne de Truro et du compté de Colchester.

En outre, on travaille présentement sur des projets et initiatives régionaux et provinciaux en concertation avec d’autres organismes pour soutenir la population minoritaire francophone. Les activités, programmes et rencontres qu’offre le Centre ont souvent lieu dans le Centre communautaire de Truro ou dans les locaux de l’École acadienne de Truro.  Quelques activités culturelles ont lieu dans le Centre culturel de la ville (Marigold Center).

Objectif de la programmation d’art:

• Augmenter le nombre d’activités culturelles et artistiques dans l’école et la communauté
• Parler en français en dehors des heures de classes (activité para-scolaire)
• Assurer la présence des arts et de la culture dans l’école et la communauté
• Créer des partenariats et renforcer les liens entre  le Centre communautaire, l’animateur culturel, les jeunes, l’orchestre de l’école et les artistes de la région
• Renforcer le sens identitaire / favoriser la construction identitaire des jeunes
• Encourager davantage les jeunes à s’impliquer dans leur école et leur communauté
• Contribuer à la rétention des jeunes dans les écoles/régions

Notre but est de créer un Centre communautaire dynamique et accueillant, un lieu de rassemblement où la population pourra vivre la culture acadienne et francophone, un environnement propice à l’utilisation et l’épanouissement de la langue française. Notre communauté francophone à Truro étant composée de personnes de diverses ethnies et origines, l’aspect multiculturel du Centre est central à nos activités et notre identité.Nous voulons faire une contribution à la communauté entière et à la région en créant davantage d’opportunités pour tous les âges de participer à la culture acadienne et francophone. Nous sommes fiers d’accueillir des nouveaux arrivants francophones dans la région, et espérons leur donner de l’appui dans leur processus de s’établir dans leur nouvelle communauté.

Sommaire des activités/projets artistiques principaux:

Voici quelques de nos activités artistiques:

• Ateliers pour adultes: crochetage de tapis, matelassage, feutrage, jardinage
• Théâtre musicale (ados de l’École acadienne de Truro) avec la participation de la communauté
• Cours de photographie
• Rencontres sociales musicales pour les aînés: organisé par des bénévoles, cette soirée de musique est une occasion pour les aînés de se rencontrer et de pratiquer leur français; d’autres viennent pour écouter de la musique
• Groupe de littératie familiale
• Le centre offre aussi autres services: cours en français, soirées sociales, chapitre pour femmes, club de lecture, formation de leadership et animations pour ados,soirées cinéma pour adultes, activités familiales, camp acadien et francophone (pour jeunes), club franco (programme après-l’école), et autres.

Contact: Yvette Saulnier, directrice
Tel.: 902 897-6864
E-mail: centrefranco@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Site web: http://www.centretruro.org/fr
Adresse: 50 rue Aberdeen, Truro, Nouvelle Écosse   B2N 4V3

- soumis par Yvette Saulnier, directrice

Veuillez s.v.p visiter la carte Google  pour l’information de contact.

Toolkit/Catalogue: Collective Murals by the Catalyst Centre (Toronto)

Collective Murals is a catalogue that is found on the Catalogue section of the website Catalystcentre.ca.

This toolkit is about murals and using visual art and critical thinking to create public art actions. Making a mural is different from other art forms because it is large, public and the catalogue provides information on how to make the most of it. The toolkit breaks down what materials you may need, and what kind of composition to use. I think this could be very helpful when starting a mural project. 

You can read the catalogue by clicking here.

- by Ania Stypulkowski, posted with permission by Chris Cavanagh