Art & Everyday Life Program
Creative Opportunities in the Art and Everyday Life Program
Art and Everyday Life is a program provided by the Riverdale Hub focused on engaging marginalized women in the arts through virtual arts workshops, conversations, and tours, led by local artists, as well as galleries and museums across Canada. Participants have the opportunity to hone arts-based skills and create new meaning in their own personal approaches to art.
Daddy, Dale Burnette-Splude, photograph, 2021
About the Art & Everyday Life Program
This program was inspired by our community of newcomer and refugee women and the insight that they have provided into their experiences with the arts in Canada. The women that we work with in our employment training and settlement programs are extremely passionate about the arts, but many of them have found it difficult to access the arts since relocating to Canada, and especially since the start of the pandemic. Museum entrance fees can be expensive, and galleries are often located selectively in certain neighborhoods. In Canada, art isn’t often presented in a way that is accessible to people who don’t have a formal arts education or who have a first language other than English. Through the Art & Everyday Life program, we provide opportunities for arts engagement that are accessible, fun, and reflective of our diverse community.
Riverdale Hub acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
kind words from participants
{Providing the materials for each project was very motivating and helpful. Every session was well-organized and informative. I have learned so much about art, and the communication with the organizer and other artists was excellent! Totally loved this experience!
{I loved the warm environment. The field trips were so fun and needed in this time of isolation. The teachers were very skilled. I loved the focus on women of colour artists – very life affirming. Loved the opportunities to engage with the Hub and show our work there. Such a supportive and encouraging environment.
{It was a great opportunity for artists, it improved their artwork and it was safe and comfortable place to speak.
{It was an amazing opportunity for me to learn from many different types of artists and see their artworks, share their experiences and knowledge, moreover to know about this brilliant project [Art and Everyday Life] for newcomers, with great management.
{“The topics were comprehensively explored by very knowledgeable instructors. They conveyed their love for their chosen field of expertise in a very engaging manner.”
{“I loved how inclusive and informative the program was.”
{“Phenomenal program – I’m very grateful for this opportunity!”
{“[I] felt welcomed and safe to share [my] experiences.”
{“[I liked] the information that was provided, organization, and diversity in education. I especially enjoyed art history, how each artist use[s] it to express their individuality to share their story and all the different artist[s] right here in our city. I enjoyed the group and sharing our work with each other and the new skills I gained.”
{“I open[ed] my mind and creativity to new visual arts [such] as photography and college photomontage.”
{“This program has inspired me in so many ways and has allowed me to deepen my art practice. All the facilitators were excellent, the presentations were relevant and engaging. I loved the emphasis on art that promotes decolonization.”
{“I loved the artist[s] that came to share their amazing talents with us. I learnt so much and have a new foundation [of] love for photography and art including collaging.”
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