Banff from overhead. Photo: Banff Centre / Facebook.
Suncor Energy Foundation gifts $10M to Banff Centre. The Banff Centre has just received one of its largest gifts to date. The money will be doled out by Suncor over the course of five years and will “go toward Indigenous leadership programs and social impact and social innovation courses…It will help pay for faculty, program design and scholarships for those from remote and underserved communities.” “This transformational gift from the Suncor Energy Foundation will empower the next generation of leaders to move communities forward, and help them navigate a wide spectrum of social, economic, and environmental conditions that are becoming more complex in today’s society,” said Banff Centre president and CEO Janice Price. (CBC)
Some familiar names at the 2019 Whitney Biennial. On February 27 the Whitney announced the list of the 75 artists who will be participating in the event set to run May 17 through September 22 in New York. Chicago-based Canadian artist Brendan Fernandes, Toronto-based artist Thirza Cuthand, and Montreal-based filmmaker Caroline Monnet will all be exhibiting work as part of the biennial’s 46th iteration. (Whitney Biennial)
Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art welcomes a new Assistant Curator. Nasrin Himada will join the gallery as of May 6. Himada is a Palestinian writer, curator and editor who will go to Winnipeg by way of Montreal bringing with them extensive experience in writing, curating exhibitions, and developing public program initiatives, including screenings, lectures and workshops. Most recently, Nasrin co-curated a time-based, video art exhibition entitled “deep-time construction” at the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts. (Plug In ICA)
Political interference accusations at the Remai Modern. While the gallery in the process of seeking a new executive director and CEO to replace Gregory Burke, there are also shifts happening within its city council appointed board of directors. The Remai lost six board members this week after council neglected to re-appoint board secretary Alison Norlen and board chair Scott Verity. The motion resulted in four other board members stepping down, some citing political interference, but Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark has declined to comment. Norlen suggests that it may have been her and Verity’s “strong voices” that influenced the decision. On February 19 council endorsed five new members for the board. (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix)
Group exhibition “Take Care” marks the first exhibition in France for some Canadian artists. Curated by Christine Shaw, the exhibition features Stephanie Comilang, Steven Eastwood, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Sheena Hoszko, Kwentong Bayan Collective, Hazel Meyer, Cait McKinney, Raju Rage and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and explores how “activism, mutual aid, feminism, Indigenous knowledge, queer desire, creative survival, and a closer relationship to the land can contribute to a better recognition of care as a powerful social and cultural force.” “Take Care” opens at La Ferme du Buisson Centre d’Art Contemporain on March 3. (press release)
Beloved Kitchener book shop and art space Open Sesame is closed for business. The shop addressed its customers concerns in a recent newsletter stating, “Our sales aren’t enough to cover expenses, and the discrepancy is too great for a crowdfunding campaign to fix. Open Sesame is privately funded.” They thank the City of Kitchener and select employees for providing support. They also cite limited foot-traffic, dedicated parking, high shipping costs and paying their employees a living wage as challenges in keeping the business running. They will, however, continue to run the online shop and hope to continue presenting art exhibitions, readings and pop-ups in Kitchener. (press release)
A series of curated events happening in March throughout Victoria “will address the centering of Indigenous artists and artists of colour in the local arts community.” “Sche’chulth: Decolonizing the Arts” is a partnership among Primary Colours/Couleurs primaires, the Indigenous Arts Collective, the ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria and Open Space, along with other individuals and organizations. The series is a “response to to the need for a prolonged and profound conversation” regarding the increasing presence of Indigenous artists and artists of colour within Victoria’s Eurocentric arts organizations. Registration is available online. (Sche’chulth)
Franco Boni Appointed Artistic and Executive Director of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. The Vancouver mid-winter cultural event that presents contemporary works of theatre, dance, music, and multimedia across the city over three weeks each January will be led by Franco Boni as of June 1. A recognized cultural innovator, facilitator and community builder who has led many festivals and organizations over the past two decades, Boni steps into the role following the resignation of Founder and Artistic and Executive Director Norman Armour in April 2018. Until now PuSh has been led by Interim Executive Director Roxanne Duncan and Interim Artistic Director Joyce Rosario. The 16th edition of the PuSh Festival will take place January 21 to February 9, 2020. Full programming will be announced in November 2019. (press release)
In case you missed it: Lists released this week include the 2019 Bonavista Biennale artists, the 11-artist longlist for the Scotiabank Photo Award and films set to premiere at a Montreal art-film festival. Plus, the NSCAD faculty union gave their strike deadline notice and Ontarians protested cuts to the Indigenous Culture Fund.
