Opportunity: Arrivals.ca/2015 Toronto Pan/ParaPan Am Games

Here’s an exciting opportunity!: “Arrivals.ca is looking for participants for an art commission by the 2015 Toronto Pan/ParaPan Am Games celebrating new Canadians and asking how we can better welcome newcomers. Participants will be featured in the Toronto Star and at City hall, get a portrait done by Che Kothari and be paid for their time.”

-posted with permission from Kate Fraser, Arrivals.ca

Profile: Broken City Lab (Windsor, ON)

Profile: Broken City Lab
Status: Non-Profit
Arts focus: multi-arts
Language: English
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Mandate: Broken City Lab is an artist-led interdisciplinary collective and non-profit organization working to explore and unfold curiosities around locality, infrastructures, education, and creative practice leading towards civic change.
Main arts activities: Our projects, events, workshops, performances, and interventions offer a sometimes momentary, sometimes extended, injection of creativity into a situation, surface, place, or community. These projects continually connect various disciplines through research and social practice, generating works and interventionist tactics that adjust, critique, annotate, and re-imagine the city that we encounter.
E-mail: info@brokencitylab.org
Website: www.brokencitylab.org

-Submitted by Justin A. Langlois Research Director of Broken City Lab

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Profile: I Am Connected Program at Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health (Ottawa)

Project Name: I Am Connected
Organization: Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Status: Not-for-profit
Community Served: Aboriginal Children and Youth in Ottawa
Arts Focus: All artistic mediums (i.e. photography, mural art, regalia making, spoken word, carving, videography, dance, drumming, other traditional art forms, etc.)
Language: English
Location: Vanier area of Ottawa
Mandate: I Am Connected is a holistic substance prevention program for children and youth aged 10 to 24. Using photography, art, urban planning, life skills training, mentoring and more youth will get connected with various people and organizations in the Vanier and greater Ottawa area to work together to create a safe and healthy community.
Established in the National Capital Region in 1998, the mandate of the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health is to prevent ill health, treat illness, and provide support and aftercare programming. Our services are offered in a culturally sensitive way that welcomes, accepts and represents all Aboriginal peoples.
Main Arts Activities/Projects:
Photovoice
Photography is combined with an individual’s thoughts and feelings to empower them to create change in their lives and in their communities. Children and youth will meet weekly to receive basic photography training and will put their skills to use by taking pictures out in their neighbourhoods. They will use the pictures to envision what a healthy drug-free community can look like.
I Am Me, I Am Creative
The children and youth will engage in a series of art projects that include a variety of creative and self-expressive activities that promote connection to self and spirit. Youth will meet once a week to work on small steps towards a large creative project.
Contact: Christine Head
Phone Number: (613) 748-0657 x241
E-mail: chead@wabano.com
Website: www.wabano.com
Address: 299 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1L 6B8

Submitted by Christine Head, I Am Connected
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health

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All photos used with permission from Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health.

Profile: Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre (Sackville, NB)

Profile: Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre
Status: Not-for-profit organization / Artist-run centre
Community served: Professional Artists, Youth, Adults, Seniors, etc…
Region served: Sackville, New Brunswick
Language used: English
Arts focus: Visual arts and Media Arts
Summary of Main Art Activities: Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre is a non profit artist-run centre and media arts facility located in Sackville, New Brunswick. The Centre is run by practicing artists for the purpose of presenting contemporary artist initiated activities and to promote an awareness of the work of local, regional and national contemporary artists. Activities include expositions, performances, publications, demonstrations, workshops, symposia, residencies, readings, screenings etc. Our Lorne Street location includes a gallery, a multi-use exposition, performance and presentation space, a small gallery for expositions and media arts presentations and an artist-in-residence studio. Struts maintains a resource centre for disseminating topics, issues, and debates arising from contemporary artistic practices and presentations. Facilities and equipment are available to members and visiting artists for film, video, audio and new media production and presentation.

photo by Struts Gallery

Mandate: The Artist and the artist’s initiative are essential to the role and nature of Struts and we continue to emphasize this as a primary commitment.
We are dedicated to:

• Maintaining a multi-purpose facility that accommodates many diverse artist-initiated activities: expositions, performances, demonstrations, workshops, symposia, etc.
• Providing a professional environment for artists to present work in a non-commercial, non-museum venue.
• Demonstrating our commitment to artists by paying the recommended CARFAC artists’ fees for artists engaged in our programming.
• Initiating, facilitating and participating in exchanges with artists, other artist-run centres and various other organizations for the purpose of promoting direct contacts amongst artists, encouraging collaborations and explorations of the diversity of approaches available to contemporary artistic practice.
• Promoting an awareness of the work of regional and national contemporary artists and the nature and condition of their practices in Canada through active involvement locally, regionally and nationally as an advocate for the status of the artist and all forms of contemporary cultural production.
• Encouraging artist-members to actively address our programming activities through lectures, publications or discussions.
• Maintaining a resource centre, critical for disseminating topics, issues, debates…arising from contemporary artistic practices and presentations and to foster and inform dialogue and debate amongst our artist-members, the interested public and artists engaged at the gallery.

Contact: Amanda Fauteux, Program Manager
Phone number: 506-536-1211
E-mail: info@strutsgallery.ca
Website: www.strutsgallery.ca
Address: 7 Lorne Street, Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 3Z6

-submitted by Amanda Fauteux, Program Manager

Please see ArtBridges Google map for more information.

Photo Story: ArtsExpress (Halifax)

Many thanks to Sabine, who generously gave us a treasure trove of wonderful photos of ArtsExpress collaboration projects to show to our readers! We love hearing about thriving community arts initiatives, but it’s even better to see them! So send us photos/videos of your community art initiative–we’d love that! As promised, here are a few more from ArtsExpress:

“Feather Project” Collaboration with ArtReach , art installation about the evolution of flight created by students from J.L.Ilsley High School’s class of Bonita Aalder with artist Miro Davis, here on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and now in at the Boardroom of the Minister of Education. (Photo by S. Fels)

“Brain Print” by students of the Youth Health Centre at J.L.Ilsley High under the artistic guidance of Melissa Marr. This project was a partnership with the AGNS and Stan Kutcher, Sunlife Finacial Chair of the IWK, and was on display during Nocturne 2011 and part of the exhibit ‘Synaptic Connections: Art and the Brain’, at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia during the winter of
2011/2012. The art work has been donated to the IWK Children’s hospital. (Photo by AGNS)
“The making of a traditional birch bark canoe with artist Todd Labrador in partnership with Viewfinders.
“Building Legends – Mi’kmaq Canoe Project” a collaboration of Viewfinder Film Academy , Mi’kmaq Liaison Office of the NS Department of Education and local youth. (Photo by Viewfinders) “Youth on the Radar Courthouse Mural”, funded by a Lighthouses Grant and on display at the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. (Graphics and photo by Aaron Jeffrey)

For more information about ArtsExpress, please read ArtsExpress’ profile on ArtBridges and see ArtBridges’ Google Map.

Profile: ArtsExpress (Halifax)

Skatepark Mosaic with HRM’s Community Arts Facilitator Kate MacLennan and local youth.
(Photo collage by Tim Simony)

Profile: ArtsExpress
Status: Not-for-profit, Halifax Regional School Board
Community served: Youth age 5 – 21 from the greater Spryfield area of Halifax, which includes youth at risk, Gay-Straight Alliance, Youth Health Centre, student in leadership programs, gifted youth, aboriginal youth, students with special needs, youth who recently graduated from High School, homeless youth.
Location/Region served: Spryfield, Halifax Regional Municipality
Language used: English
Arts focus: visual arts (all media), film, dance, music, theatre, spoken word art, multimedia

Summary of Main Art Activities:

• Some of our recent highlights public art projects include the following:
• Installation of mosaic mural at a Captain Spry Community Centre Skate Park, in partnership with HRM’s Community Arts Facilitator Kate MacLennan.
• ‘Nautilus Mural of Truth’ for the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, which was created by youth in Spryfield and ‘Team Possibles’ (young adults with Down Syndrome) under the guidance of artists Miro Davis and Renee Forrestall in 2011.
• Performance of the opera “Trial by Jury” at the Courthouse during Nocturne 2011, in partnership with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Nova Scotia.
• ‘Youth on the Radar’ music, dance, spoken word and film projects with Ryan Veltmeyer from Heartwood.
• Spoken word Performances during the visit of Michaelle Jean, the former Governor General, as a launch of the new Youth Arts Foundation.
• Performances and art display at Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Status of Women Council.
• Film projects in partnership with Viewfinders, the education division of the Atlantic Film Festival, includeding two documentaries for “Building Legends” about Mi’kmaq culture: The Mi’kmaq Canoe Project and the Mawio’mi Project.
• Partnership with Cultural Opportunities for Youth funded artists JBru for the urban music recording project “What’s the 411” and Ann Denny’s “Project Sing” bringing voice instructions to students of Spryfield.

“The Four Elements”, Science art Project of J.L.Ilsley High in partnership with ArtsSmarts Nova Scotia and artist Renee Forrestall , here shown at the AGNS but currently on display at the new youth gallery at the Department of Education (photo by Arts Express Coordinator S. Fels)

Mandate: The Arts Express Program was established specifically for the 10 schools feeding into J.L.Ilsley High School in Spryfield, Halifax, in order to allow for a stronger arts support within this unique family of schools. The program has been supported by the Department of Education and the school principals of this area since 2002 when the following mandate for the position had been established:

• Direct support for existing arts programs and development of new arts initiatives.
• Coordination of arts partnerships between schools and community.
• Access to external sources of funding through available arts grants to enrich school and classrooms programs, as well as arts opportunities ranging from students with special needs to disadvantaged kids as well as gifted students.
• Emphasis on ‘prevention and intervention’ by creating unique arts initiatives for students with diverse learning styles and those who are otherwise disengaged from our public schools.

Photo: “Youth on the Radar”, extracurricular cool art programs funded by Lightshouses Crime Prevention Grants from the Department of Justice. (Photo by S. Fels)

The full time position of Arts Express Coordinator is currently being funded through supplementary and discretionary moneys and centers around developing a network of connections among schools within HRSB, the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, community arts organizations, universities, local artists, social agencies, HRM, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Symphony Nova Scotia, corporate giving programs, private businesses, and of course classroom teachers and visual arts teachers. Other than grant based funding ArtsExpress currently receives no other financial support. For the past 4 years, the ArtsExpress coordinator was also the president elect of the Art Teacher Association of NS and organized the annual conference for the teachers of the province and is currently on the Board of Directors for Dance Nova Scotia, and serves on the education committees for Symphony Nova Scotia, Viewfinders. Professional Development activities include piloting of new curriculum initiatives to teachers from across the province, developing in-services fro art teachers and providing art connection for RCH and Cultural diversity.
Photo: “The Big B Project”, a work in progress by students at J.L. Ilsley High, funded by Youthscape, and displayed at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia during the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6 – an expression of youth about the hypersexulaization of teenage girls. (Photo by ArtsExpress Coordinator S. Fels)

The components for the Arts Express Program include:

• Writing and coordination of a wide range of applications for arts funding from a variety of foundations, governments programs and private as well as corporate sources.
• Scouting for artists suitable for ‘artists in school programs’ by forming close working connections with the local artistic community.
• Teaching art units directly in classrooms ranging from grades Primary to Grade 12, to explore and demonstrate the possibilities of enhancing the curriculum through the arts.
• Offering leadership in visual arts, both at a regional and provincial level, by planning and implementing both mandated and optional PD for visual arts as well regular classroom teachers of the HRSB and other school boards.
• Planning and organizing the October Conference for Art Teachers of Nova Scotia.
• Development of school outreach programs and partnerships with local arts institutions, organizations, businesses and community centers.

Contact: Sabine Michaela Fels, ArtsExpress Coordinator
Phone number: (902) 479-4612 ext. 570-1008
Mobile: (902) 403-3160
E-mail: sfels@staff.ednet.ns.ca
Address: 38 Sylvia Ave., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3R 1J9

-submitted by Sabine Michaela Fels, ArtsExpress Coordinator

Please see ArtBridges’ Google Map for more information.

Profile: Antyx Community Arts (Calgary)

Profile: Antyx Community Arts
Status: Not-for-profit organization
Community served: Youth and Communities
Region served: Calgary, Alberta
Language used: English
Arts focus: Multi-Arts Focus
Summary of Main Art Activities: Antyx is a community arts company that uses the arts and community development processes to create opportunities for youth to become more engaged in their community and experience increased community connection.
Our community arts strategy involves developing collaborative community arts projects that engage youth and communities. Projects are planned with community partners and direct input from youth. Past projects have included: community murals, performances of plays reflecting community issues, photography, video and music projects.
Mandate:
Antyx Community Arts Vision: Creative, vibrant communities fostering inclusion, participation, and potential.
Antyx Community Arts Mission: Community Arts: engaging, empowering, transforming.
Contact: Richard Campbell, Executive Artistic Director
Phone number: 403-444-0500
E-mail: info@antyx.org
Website: www.antyx.org
Address: Antyx community Arts, 731 13 Ave NE, Calgary AB, T2E 1C8 (Mailing Address)

-submitted by Richard Campbell, Executive Artistic Director, Antyx

Please see ArtBridges Google map for more information.

Community Artist Leadership Training Program – SKETCH (Toronto)

“4 spots in SKETCH’s Community Artist Leadership Training Program – DEADLINE May 24!

SKETCH is accepting applications from youth aged 15-29 to the Community Artist Leadership Program. Through extensive training and hands-on experience, emerging youth leaders will develop skills in and understanding of Community Arts Practices, both in SKETCH and in the community. There are 4 positions available. This is a full time opportunity, 30 hours per week for 52 weeks (July 9, 2012 – July 8 2013). Applicants must be currently receiving Ontario Works in order to be eligible. Check out the application form, attached. Deadline for Applications: May 24, 2012 by 4pm. Give your application to a SKETCH coordinator, email rose@sketch.ca, or drop it off at 180 Sudbury (south of Queen and Gladstone, in a condo building)

Come celebrate SKETCH’s last day at Parkdale Neighbourhood Church, Thursday May 31st, 12-4!
Parkdale Neighbourhood Church will be closing their space at the end of May, so SKETCH will no longer be holding Open Studio there after May 31st. Come join us on May 31st, 12-4, for food, music, creative workshops… and to celebrate the wonderful time we’ve spent at PNC!”

-Submitted by Sonya Reynolds, Program Administrator, SKETCH Working Arts

For more information on SKETCH,  read our profile on SKETCH.
Please see ArtBridges’ Google map for contact information.

Updated Profile: Eastern Edge Gallery/Art Marathon Festival (St. John’s)

Profile: Eastern Edge Gallery/Art Marathon Festival
Status: Not-for-profit organization
Community served: Art community, adults, youth, families
Region served: St. John’s, Newfoundland, and surrounding area
Language: English
Arts focus: Contemporary visual arts, performance, media arts, music
Summary of Main Art Activities: Founded in 1984, Eastern Edge is the first artist run centre for visual arts in Newfoundland Labrador, and is committed to exhibiting contemporary Canadian and international art, as well as encouraging dedicated, rigorous activity locally. A cycle of six exhibitions are programmed in the main gallery each year, and the annual Art Marathon Festival happens every August. Spanning an entire week, the Art Marathon provides a venue for performance, installation, participatory, and music-based art projects that aren’t suited to a conventional exhibition context. It is an intensely community-focused event, with BBQs hosted by various non-profits each day, lots of family activities, public art, offsite performances/events, and the final event – the 24-Hour Art Marathon – which involves several dozen local artists of all descriptions (from amateurs to established professionals) creating works onsite from noon Saturday until noon Sunday.
Mandate: Eastern Edge is committed to facilitating critical dialogue concerning issues in contemporary art and society, actively encouraging artists whose work speaks to feminist, queer, multicultural, and other socially and politically diverse perspectives. Eastern Edge is a supportive space to develop skills, share information and resources, fostering community and a meaningful context for artistic activity.
Contact: Michelle Bush, Director
Phone number: 709-739-1882
E-mail: easternedgegallery@gmail.com
Website: easternedge.ca
Address: 72 Harbour Drive, St. John’s NL

-submitted by Eastern Edge Gallery

Please see ArtBridges Google Map for more information.

Read our previously-posted bilingual profile on Eastern Edge Gallery here (posted April 2010).

Profile: The Fred Victor Arts Program (Toronto)

Profile: The Fred Victor Arts Program
Status: Fred Victor is a not-for-profit charitable organization
Community served: Homeless/underhoused and low income adults
Arts focus: Visual Arts
Language: English
Location: Downtown Toronto
Mandate: Fred Victor’s mission is to provide responsive, accessible and innovative housing and services for people who are experiencing homelessness and poverty, and to advocate for a more equitable society. The Fred Victor Arts Program is committed to providing opportunities for learning, developing skills and expressing creativity in a group setting. Through the collective power of people coming together to create, allows the Fred Victor community to express themselves in order to effect personal and social transformation.
Main arts activities/projects: The Fred Victor Arts Program provides:

• Art programming in visual arts: painting, collage, mixed media and digital photography.
• Opportunities to display and sell artwork at our annual art exhibitions.

Contact: Enza Trentadue, Open House Drop-in & Support Services Manager
Phone number: 416-364-3171 ext 331
E-mail: etrentadue@fredvictor.org
Website: www.fredvictor.org
Address: 145 Queen Street East

-submitted by Enza Trentadue Manager, Open House Drop-In & Support Services

Please see ArtBridges’ Google map for more information.