Arts for Equity visits Corner Brook
Arts for Equity is rooted in community care and collaboration. Our work in Corner Brook focused on listening, relationship building and learning from the multifaceted and unique experiences of artists across the West Coast of Newfoundland. We met with creators whose intersecting identities have been historically excluded from arts spaces and facilitated conversations about access, representation, space, safety and the importance of meaningful belonging.
During this visit, the project completed ten (10) individual paid consultations in Corner Brook. We visited the Tina Dolter Gallery, the Centre for Research and Innovation, Sir Wilfred Grenfell Campus, Rotary Arts Centre, and the Grenfell Gallery.
The themes raised include the ongoing need for sustainable support for BIPOC creatives, increased visibility and opportunities for West Coast artists to have their diverse cultural work recognized in the capital city of St. John’s. Artists also are searching for more pathways for immigrant and newly graduated artists to fully participate in the province’s creative ecosystem.
We were guests in the fourth year professional practices course and conducted a studio visit with the students, giving them the opportunity to speak about their process and plans for the Exhibition at the end of the term. We shared about the opportunities available at Eastern Edge in two classes and spoke to the transition period between post-secondary and working as a professional artist.
Ashley and Amanda attended a lecture titled : A Glimpse into Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw History
Presented by Qalipu First Nation, this special event featured Paul Pike, Lead Cultural Outreach Officer, sharing stories and perspectives that reflect the past, present, and future of Mi’kmaw history on Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). We learned so much. We understand the importance of these important historical story shares and artifacts.
We will be continuing this work by initiating more partnerships in the region and by inviting community driven programming, such as CB NUIT, Memorial University Grenfell Gallery and the International Students Resource Centre (ISC) at Sir Wilfred Grenfell to join us at the Arts for Equity Symposium. All the information gathered through the paid consultations with artists will be shared with arts organizations across the province.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
