Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario
CPAMO is a movement of Indigenous and racialized artists engaged in empowering the arts communities of Ontario. The organization works in service to equity and pluralism in the arts through initiatives that include research, convening, training, organizational consulting, and more.
Working toward equity, inclusion and pluralism in the arts and culture sector.
In November of 2020, I joined CPAMO as a Program Associate, supporting their bespoke consulting work with cultural organizations and bringing an embodied approach to training around equity, inclusion and pluralism.
Gathering Divergence: Multi-Arts Festival and Conference - Winter 2021
From December 8-10, 2021, CPAMO hosted hybrid festival event at Native Earth Performing Art’s Aki Studio Theatre and on Zoom. Art in a Time of Healing explored the the role of IBPOC artists and organizations in a time of planetary renewal. The festival and conference featured panel discussions, showcase performances, workshops and networking opportunities for arts organizations, artists and arts sector professionals asking questions about anti-black racism in the arts, digital technology, its intersections with artistic and organizational practices, all grounded within values of equity, diversity, inclusivity and pluralism.
I hosted a session titled State of Emergence: Why We Need Artists Right Now which involved the presentation of a new thought piece by the same name, followed by a rich conversation with artists Susie Burpee, Greg Frankson, Anita La Selva and Irma Villafuerte who animated the themes of the essay with their own ideas and experiences.
Click below to access my presentation text: State of Emergence: Why We Need Artists Right Now. A video recording of the full panel session will be released by CPAMO in 2022. Stay tuned!
Gathering Divergence: Multi-Arts Festival and Conference - Spring 2021
From May 19-21, 2021 CPAMO hosted an online event exploring approaches, lessons and future strategies toward anti-Black racism, equity, diversity, inclusivity and digital support in the Arts. The conference envisioned a space to gather, diverge and intersect on many issues within the arts sector.
I moderated a State of Emergence panel discussion with Cynthia Lickers Sage, Executive Director of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Renata Soutter, Executive Director of Propeller Dance and Kevin Ormsby, Artistic Director of Kashe Dance. Hosted in partnership with MASS Culture and the Future of Festivals, the panel explored a conversation about creating a sustainable, diverse arts ecology that equitably supports IBPOC artists.
Click below to view my opening remarks and the panel response: State of Emergence: Artists Influencing Equitable and Diverse Cultural Policy and Funding Models for a Sustainably Diverse Arts Sector