Cecilia Alemani, artistic director of this year's Venice Biennale, has given a shout-out to her top booths at Art Toronto – including one from Western Canada. Her nod went to the Marion Scott Gallery in Vancouver, which presented works by Northern artists like Shuvinai Ashoona and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, winner of last year's Sobey Art Award. Other galleries that Alemani singled out were Toronto's Cooper Cole, MKG127 and Feheley Fine Arts. Montreal's Bradley Ertaskirin and Galerie Hugues Charbonneau were also on Alemani's list.
The B.C. Museums Association and Heritage B.C. are bringing together hundreds of arts, culture and heritage volunteers and professionals in Victoria from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4 to explore the future of the museum and heritage sector. According to recent Canadian Heritage data, only 10 per cent of Canadians have visited a museum or heritage institution since the start of the pandemic, and the sector is facing numerous challenges, including planning for natural disasters and calls for decolonization. "Transformative power is not something passive, it’s something that requires action," says Ryan Hunt, the association's executive director. "Museums have a critical role to play in helping to build a better future for the world and must use their power as a source for good." It's the first time in two years the conference has been held in person.
The Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina is showing work by a Black LEGO® artist until Jan. 10. Toronto-based Ekow Nimako's Afrofuturistic imaginings of ancient African kingdoms with an approachable medium have drawn attention. In Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 Ships, Nimako explores a mysterious 14th-century sea voyage by Abu Baker II, an intrepid explorer who reputedly abdicated his throne in the Mali Empire, to travel the Atlantic. He was never heard from again although some accounts suggest he reached the Americas. Nimako combines architecture, historical accounts and conjecture, to transcend the geometric form of his medium. For information, go here.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek is hosting an inaugural Celebration for the Arts. Previously known as the Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions, the reimagined celebration takes place Nov. 4 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons. "We're excited to recognize local artists at the inaugural Celebration for the Arts in Calgary,” says Gondek. "Not only is a thriving arts and culture scene the cornerstone of a vibrant city, but it is also central to our economic recovery." The event will see several $5,000 awards to artists and arts organizations. For information, go here.
MacEwan University in Edmonton has created a new artist-in-residence program to honour the legacy of longtime MLA and former provincial speaker Gene Zwozdesky, who died in 2019. The Gene Zwozdesky Artist-in-Residence program's first recipient will be announced in the spring. "This program will enrich our already stellar fine arts program and is a wonderful reflection of Gene himself, who was a gifted musician and artist," says MacEwan president Annette Trimbee. Zwozdesky, who held various cabinet positions during his 22 years as an MLA, was involved with the university’s Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre. For information, go here.
SK Arts and SaskCulture have set up a new funding program for community arts projects by Indigenous artists in Saskatchewan. The program offers three streams of funding: small project grants of $500 to $2,000, exhibition performance and presenting grants of $1,000 to $2,000, and mentorship and partnership grants of $2,000 to $20,000. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 7. Details are available here.
The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ont., is seeking donations to a new curatorial fund to invite an emerging guest curator to organize a show every second year. Matching funds are available for initial donations to the fund to a maximum of $10,000. For information, visit www.theclayandglass.ca.