Robert Houle Receives Honorary Doctorate from OCAD University

Expand

Robert Houle (courtesy OCADU)

Anishinaabe Saulteaux artist Robert Houle will receive an honorary doctorate from Toronto's OCAD University on June 9.

Houle, one of five people to be honoured, has enjoyed a remarkable career as an artist, curator, educator and writer over the last five decades.

"His work led to a major shift in public art galleries and museums, shedding light on significant issues affecting Indigenous peoples and decolonizing major public arts institutions," the university says.

"He served as the first Indigenous curator at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and was the first professor of Indigenous studies at OCAD University, where he taught for close to 20 years."

Houle, a member of Sandy Bay First Nation in Manitoba, received a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2015. 

Expand

OCAD University

The Art Gallery of Ontario is touring a major retrospective of his work. It is on view at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., until June 2, 2024. 

OCAD University is also awarding honorary doctorates to Kat Holmes, a leader of inclusive design; Philip B. Lind, a Canadian telecommunications icon; Nancy McCain, a leading supporter of Canadian arts and culture; and Rosemary Sadlier,  one of the founders of Black History Month. 

For more information, go here.

Source: OCAD University