Each year, Pride Month presents an opportunity for us to celebrate the visions and contributions of Black queer artists and organizers. Toronto is home to some of Canada’s most vibrant and politically active queer communities. From the work of artists like Makeda Silvera, the chosen families in spaces like Dewson House and the longstanding traditions of Black joy at Blockorama : there is so much to be celebrated. This past June, we challenged our digital community to pick up a camera and capture the beauty in their queer story. Creatives were given two weeks to capture a photo essay that explo ..read more

Black writers have been pushing the boundaries of Canadian literature for decades now. From poets like George Elliot Clarke, figures like Dionne Brand and Esi Edugyan and contemporary talents like Francesca Ekwuyasi and Andre Alexis : we have always used literature as a way to share our stories and imagine new worlds. In 2021, we launched Black Pen: an intensive creative writing program for emerging writers, in partnership with Penguin Random House Canada. The program gave 6 writers the opportunity to dive into the canon of Black CanLit, unpack myths and assumptions about literary structures a ..read more

The journey to building Canada’s first professional Black Arts Centre has been a long, challenging and rewarding one. Over the last two years, many creatives have lent their eyes, ears and talent to envisioning what the Nia Centre could be. One of the creative figures in the project has been interior designer, Robin Fraser, who has combined traditional North American construction with design elements that make Black-Canadian culture special.  You describe yourself as an “interior conceptualizer”. What does this term mean to you? “The word ‘designer’ is almost over-used now, but it is a ve ..read more

In September, we partnered with CJRU 1280AM to present the On Air: Radio Broadcasting & Podcasting workshop series. Over the course of 4 weeks, youth were able to access space and equipment to produce their own radio segment from start to finish. “I learnt alot of really helpful skills which will help me build immersive soundscapes for future projects. I also got the opportunity to connect with other artists and storytellers who have been supportive even after the program.” – Participant, Bo Joseph With a mic and recorder in hand, participants set out to tell their unfiltered ..read more

Earlier this summer, we partnered with Gallery 44 for another iteration of the award-winning OUTREACH arts program. Through a number of intensive sessions, the program encourages participants to explore traditional photography methods underpinned by the value of community, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and collaboration. This year, the theme Metamorphosis encouraged participants to explore various changes in life through photography. With a focus on film and the darkroom printing process, participants were able to explore street photography, concept creation, set design and imagemaking. The pr ..read more

Earlier this summer, we partnered with Gallery 44 for another iteration of the award-winning OUTREACH arts program. Through a number of intensive sessions, the program encourages participants to explore traditional photography methods underpinned by the value of community, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and collaboration. This year, the theme Metamorphosis encouraged participants to explore various changes in life through photography. With a focus on film and the darkroom printing process, participants were able to explore street photography, concept creation, set design and imagemaking. The p ..read more

“I’m a person who has both an analytical and creative mind,” says lens-based media artist Roya DelSol. “A lot of the work I do is grounded in technology, so I’m always bridging the two. In working with tech, that practice is analytical: it’s process and pattern based. But it’s also deeply intuitive and conceptual.” Meet Roya A quick scroll through Roya’s instagram reveals an artist committed to reflecting a real vibrancy back onto the people she captures. In each portrait, her subjects appear illuminated and powerful. They command the viewer to stop and take notice. This is no accident. Over a ..read more

When the pandemic began in 2020, artists were some of the hardest hit people in our community. Faced with precarious employment, lack of resources and a sudden lack of opportunity: many saw their careers halted, abruptly. Despite this, we needed art more than ever. Everyday, local artists logged online and brought their talent to our new digital reality.  We created #KeepThatEnergy as an ode to the artists who carried us through the pandemic. At the two year anniversary of this project, we caught up with director Ayo Tsalithaba to chat about their creative process and their vision for th ..read more

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