The Gathering Divergence
Multi-Arts Festival & Conference Fall 2022

Visioning Canada’s IBPOC Artistic Transformation:
Then and Now

Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, 2022
In-person at Aki Studio (Toronto) and via Zoom 

The multi-Arts Festival and Conference; a positively impactful  and supportive convening in the Arts sector. The festival’s specific focus is on Indigenous, racialized, deaf, disabled and mad, women and other historically – marginalized artists’ communities.  Geared towards meaningful conversations, professional development and sharing strategies in the Arts, this year’s theme for Gathering Divergence Multi-Arts Festival & Conference Fall 2022 | Visioning Canada’s IBPOC Artistic Transformation: Then and Now.

Upcoming panels:

Panel I: Artists Working / Organizing for Change 
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10:00am
Engaging across ethno-cultural populations, intergenerationally with mid-career, established artists and next generation artists. The session pairs artists from various disciplines in an intergenerational discussion seeks to amplify the many ways in which IBPOC artists have been eliciting change in their practice while also organizing / advocating for EDI advancement within the sector. 

Panel II: Onboarding \  Understanding the Nature of IBPOC Artists/Arts Organizations and their work
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 11:15am
There are many different emergent ways of working, creating and presenting that are now a part of the Sector. From onboarding, contracting, providing creative support and presentation, the session will address ways in which arts organizations can work effectively with IBPOC artists and what IBPOC artists may need to find to be successful working within/with larger organizations and also the Arts sector.  This will explore what some arts organizations are doing to build relationships with IBPOC artists that are equitable and sustainable and to respond to the question: “Can working with IBPOC artists/organizations be a collaborative practice in any aspect of the sector?

Networking Session: IBPOC Orgs / Artists Connecting with CPAMOPOC Organizations / Presenting Organizations
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 2:00pm
CPAMO started as an organization that catered to the needs of artists offering workshops based on responses from surveys and convenings. Geared towards IBPOC artists and companies, the session is an invitation to meet various organizations that support the work of artists; from presenters, festivals, arts service organizations to companies who work with artists. Its also a session to hear from the IBPOC arts communities about their emerging needs coming out of the pandemic. 

Panel IV: Continued Work On Advancing Pluralism Through Equity Diversity And Inclusive Learning (CPAMOPOC Cohorts Convening) 
Date: Friday, Dec. 2 at 10:15am
Since 2016, CPAMO has developed, coordinated and delivered a novel program called “Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario Pluralism Organizational Change”. This is an intensive 18 month unlearning/learning program that has had four cohorts and involved some 60 organizations with most located in Ontario, more recent ones in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick.  Organizations will discuss ways in which they have been working to create sectoral change that embraces and include IBPOC artists/arts organizations/arts administrators in their arts organizations board, staff, volunteers and programs.

Now in its 4th cohort, this convening is specific to participating and past participants with a focus on sharing the experiences to all attendees.

Panel V: IBPOC Perspectives on Succession Planning to  Artistic Transitioning  
Date: Friday, Dec. 2 at 1:00pm
How does one prepare for transitioning in a sector where an artist or Director is dependent on their positions as creative and financial outlet to their career in not just presentation but also administration. Transitioning can be easy but they can also highlight the significant gaps in which IBPOC arts leaders and organizations are existing. Limiteds support and resources further exacerbate this reality. Invited IBPOC arts thinkers, leaders and creatives will begin to delve deeper into the topic of transitioning, succession planning and emerging opportunities. 

 The schedule is available here!

Registration: 

Tickets $5 – $10 | To register to attend in-person or over Zoom the day sessions:

Attend online via Zoom:  Register on Eventbrite. 

Attend in-person at Aki studio:
Location: Aki Studio
585 Dundas St E #250, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

Register at Aki’s online box office (select [3] CPAMO on the left side menu). 
Covid protocols: People attending the event in peson need to follow Aki Studio’s vaccination and mask policy – please read before registration: 
www.nativeearth.ca/c19safety

To register to attend the Reception and Publication launch at the CSI Community Living Room: 

To register to attend the Reception and publication launch click here, please note the Covid policy is different for this event, for more information click here.

If you have any questions please email: info@cpamo.org