Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Noémie Lafrance
Choreographer
Michael Hidetoshi Mori
General Director, Tapestry Opera
Julie Nagam
Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Arts, Collaboration and Digital Media, Director of Aabijijiwan New Media Lab
Heather Igloliorte
University Research Chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Art, Concordia University
Daryl Cloran
Artistic Director, Citadel Theatre
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. Adapting platforms
The inability to gather has forced artists across Canada to rethink how they can present their work. Artists play a pivotal role in helping the public endure the pandemic, so their absence would be devastating. Digital platforms have provided artists with a way to continue to connect with their audiences and come together as a community, one of the ways art has always been meant to be enjoyed. As countries reopen, galleries and exhibits will also have to reconsider the focus of their art since local communities will be their primary audience.
2. Truth to our relationships
COVID-19 has brought truth to many of our daily relationships. We all have time to review our relationships with our family, significant others, community, city, government, and history and determine what relationships need to change. Canadians must choose what they want to leave in the past and what they want to bring into the future post COVID-19.
3. Systemic change
The period of reflection that COVID-19 has provided allows Canadians to rethink the societal systems that persecute BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) residents. We can no longer ignore the oppressive structural issues that have existed for hundreds of years in Canada. One panelist expressed that “I think that we’ve been really doing that work and sometimes that work is unrecognized. And so the moment right now is that we actually have this platform, an opportunity to keep pushing and radically shift those structures because those structures are broken.” The art community is ready to lead the way to a more equal and just future.
4. The opportunity of a Universal Basic Income
Our panelists discussed the value of art to society as a way of challenging perceptions and changing the way people think. The relationship between art and the economy has been difficult and multiple panelists expressed their disdain for the instrumentalization of art for economic gain. The CERB payments have been beneficial to many in the artistic community, allowing them to focus more on their expression and less on rent. Some of the panelists suggested the value of extending the relief payments beyond COVID-19 as a Universal Basic Income.
5. Importance of diversity
Leadership diversity is crucial for implementing change; therefore, it is important that more BIPOC have the opportunity to fill decision-making roles in society. There needs to be more of a focus on providing students with experiences that allow them to develop their leadership skills. Investing in the futures of students continues to be extremely valuable.
Additional Reading & Resources
White Creatives, Do I Have Your Attention? Malindi Ayienga, YouTube
(UN) COMMON SPACES, IN-SITUE, European Platform for Artistic Expression in Public Spaces — https://www.in-situ.info/en/activities/en/uncommon-spaces-2020-2024-42?fbclid=IwAR0vG5MrvXZ7p6AcGtHquN8f1FbOyZpTiD7DIh5JoMLeelMv6hgU8Zsnsiw
COVID-friendly live performances set to hit Stratford sidewalks soon, Gale Simmons, Stratford The Beacon Herald
Corona Variations, Convergence Theatre
‘The pandemic is a portal,’ Arundhati Roy, Financial Times
The World Travel & Tourism Council released new global protocols for meetings, events and convention centres
Full Panel
Transcript
Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software. Manual editing was undertaken in an effort to improve readability and clarity. Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.
Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript
Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject line.
12:02:13 From Canadian Urban Institute: Welcome! Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:06:29 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Today’s panel:
Daryl Cloran
https://www.citadeltheatre.com/about-us/artistic-director
Heather Igloliorte
https://www.concordia.ca/finearts/art-history/faculty.html?fpid=heather-igloliorte
Noémie Lafrance
https://sensproduction.org/noemie-lafrance
Michael Hidetoshi Mori
@michaelhmori
Julie Nagam
https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/art-history/faculty-staff/julie-nagam.html
12:06:43 From Bridget MacIntosh: Hello Everyone, Bridget MacIntosh @bridgetannmac here from Toronto.
12:06:46 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:06:54 From Wendy Peart: Wendy Peart from Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina
12:06:58 From Kate gunn: Kate from Edmonton!
12:07:01 From Eleethea Savage: Hi there. Eleethea Savage here, Greater Sudbury
12:07:04 From Denise Frimer to All panelists: Toronto interested citizen
12:07:04 From Michael Trent: Michael from Toronto
12:07:07 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:07:08 From Kirsten Frankish to All panelists: Hello everyone from the City of Oshawa’s Culture Team!
12:07:12 From James Ballinger to All panelists: Ha;ifax
12:07:14 From Rebecca Garlick: Rebecca from Kitchener!
12:07:15 From Esther Arbeid to All panelists: Hello, Esther Arbeid here from the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Toronto
12:07:17 From jake moore to All panelists: jake moore Saskatoon
12:07:22 From Jaime Boldt: Jaime Boldt Globe Theatre Regina
12:07:27 From Tracie Taylor Labonte: Tracie Taylor Labonte from the Ottawa Museum Network
12:07:28 From Wilma Hartmann to All panelists: Heather Braaten from the Stephenville Theatre Festival , NL
12:07:28 From cathy parsons to All panelists: Cathy from London:)
12:07:29 From Don McConnell: Don McConnell from Sault Ste. Marie says hi.
12:07:32 From reg nalezyty: Reg from Thunder Bay
12:07:35 From Kris Driedger: Kristina in Montreal, greetings
12:07:42 From Kristi Friday: Kristi Friday here from Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival in Saskatoon
12:07:44 From Canadian Urban Institute: Reminding attendees to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:07:45 From Leila Timmins: Leila Timmins, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa ON
12:07:46 From John McHenry: Hello all from John in sunny Sudbury.
12:07:51 From Amy Prouty: Amy from Montreal
12:07:51 From Tom MMcleod: Tom in Inuvik
12:07:54 From Surita Dey to All panelists: Brampton
12:08:04 From Dayle Schroeder-Hillier: Dayle Schroeder from the Regina Folk Festival in Regina, SK
12:08:10 From Terresa Strohan: Hello from Terresa Strohan with Saskatoon Folkfest (a three day multicultural festival)
12:08:10 From Laurel Davies Snyder: Hello from Stratford, Ont.
12:08:12 From Claire Leighton: hello all! Claire from Toronto Artscape Inc.
12:08:16 From Madelyn Webb: Madelyn in Toronto
12:08:19 From jake moore: oops didn’t post to attendees
12:08:24 From Cathy McMurtry: Cathy McMurtry from the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival in Saskatoon
12:09:03 From jake moore: jake moore University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection, Saskatoon
12:09:29 From Wilma Hartmann: Heather From the Stephenville Theatre Festival NL
12:09:59 From Julie McKenna: Julie McKenna – here from Regina Public Library in Regina on Treaty 4 Territory
12:10:15 From Alicia Richins: Hello! Alicia Richins from Toronto and the Metcalf Foundation
12:10:37 From Maureen Sawa to All panelists: Hi Julie!
12:12:02 From Ken Jones to All panelists: Good day everyone. Ken from the Mississauga Arts Council.
12:12:10 From Eric Hill: Eric Hill – here from Dunlop Art Gallery & RPL Film Theatre in Regina Public Library in Regina on Treaty 4 Territory
Mary do the First Nations acknowledgement today?
12:13:55 From KWirchenko: Kirby/Broadway Theatre/Saskatoon
12:13:59 From Kellie I Grant: Kellie Saskatoon
12:15:21 From Hannah Miller: Hi there, Hannah from Toronto
12:17:07 From Ellen Pearson: Hello! Ellen from Saskatoon
12:18:21 From Marlea Whitley: Hi! Marlea Whitley from Nutrien Wonderhub, Saskatchewan’s Children’s Museum, located in Saskatoon.
12:19:44 From Eleethea Savage: Can Heather expand how she is building community online…and how to implement?
12:20:22 From Heather Igloliorte: Check out our website inuitfutures.ca – more workshops posted soon we cancelled everything this week out of respect for BLM
12:20:50 From Eleethea Savage: Perfect. Thank you.
12:20:56 From Asma K Caporaletti to All panelists: Hello from Asma K Caporaletti in Oxford County. Educator, Designer
12:20:59 From LoriAnn Girvan: Hello – LoriAnn Girvan joining from Gatineau, unceded Algonquin, Anishinabek territory
12:22:41 From M K to All panelists: YES!
12:24:39 From jake moore: while COVID has revealed the uneveness of the world, but, it has also placed all people in relation to something shared for the first time. this still doesn’t mean the shared experience of COVID is having the same effects on communities. systemic racism is actively made evident
12:24:56 From jake moore: capitalism IS fundamentally glawed
12:25:00 From Brian Owen to All panelists: Al the world is a stage and there is a lot of ad libbing at the moment!
12:25:31 From Kathy Allen to All panelists: good point. we are in the sane storm but in different types of boats
12:25:50 From Canadian Urban Institute: Reminding attendees to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:26:03 From Brian Owen: Al the world is a stage and there is a lot of ad libbing at the moment!
12:29:26 From Alice Ming Wai Jim: Hello, Michael Hidetoshi Mori! Julie, Heather!
12:30:03 From jake moore: COVID demonstrated that we CAN stop. this is a major necessary
12:30:11 From Alice Ming Wai Jim: Diversity Panel = “All-Token Panel”
12:30:12 From Kathy Allen: to jake’s point – we are all in the same storm but in different boats
12:30:25 From jake moore: acknowledgement
12:30:35 From Leila Timmins: I know Julie alluded to digital done badly, would love to hear some thoughts on digital done well.
12:30:52 From Bridget MacIntosh: I wanted to share this – it has been making the rounds online – from theatre artist Malindi Ayienga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLDWzjhU–M&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2iVonXLJczcKG46BaeU1R9IYTukiD8Yrr7XO7saXDTQsnGpWIoNNJJByA
12:31:27 From jake moore: yessss Julie
12:31:33 From Alicia Richins: Thank you Julie! Yess!!!
12:31:39 From Tiffany Shaw-Collinge to All panelists: Snaps to Julie!!!!
12:31:58 From Alice Ming Wai Jim: Julie Nagam: “BIPOC people in leadership positions. Period.” Yes!!
12:33:07 From Denise Frimer: From my perspective, I see advocating the pandemic will implement social change for more self-discovery forms of learning and participation in arts and culture.
12:34:21 From Brian Moss: Can we tie the discussion also to public spaces .. implications on urban form .. movement of ‘arts and culture’ outside .. in the interim ..
12:36:41 From Marcello Cabezas to All panelists: This is for Daryl and Michael as I know their work:) Do you feel that your artists are open to improvised based works that could be created in say 24 hrs + then presented to audiences IRL respecting social distancing etc? maybe could be presented digitally too.
12:37:01 From Wendy Peart: If we could focus on EMPATHY, wouldn’t this be huge?
12:37:30 From Bridget MacIntosh: Another resource: IN-SITU (UN) COMMON SPACES — https://www.in-situ.info/en/activities/en/uncommon-spaces-2020-2024-42?fbclid=IwAR0vG5MrvXZ7p6AcGtHquN8f1FbOyZpTiD7DIh5JoMLeelMv6hgU8Zsnsiw
12:39:08 From Bridget MacIntosh: HEATHER! YES!!!!
12:40:04 From Caroline Langill: So true Heather. Need to bring visibility to this fact.
12:40:27 From jake moore: https://stream.sweetlandopera.com/
12:41:00 From Bridget MacIntosh: @Wendy Peart re: empathy – check www.empathysquad.ca
12:41:48 From Bridget MacIntosh: (empathy squad is part of fixtpoint.com)
12:42:38 From Wendy Peart: Thanks.
12:43:11 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Mo Willems
12:43:17 From Laurel Davies Snyder: https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/covid-friendly-live-performances-set-to-hit-stratford-sidewalks-soon
12:45:35 From Marcello Cabezas to All panelists: https://vangoghexhibit.ca/
making sure everyone knows about this that’s happening in Toronto
12:45:43 From Bridget MacIntosh: https://www.convergencetheatre.com/corona-variations — another example of live performance in a physically distant reality.
12:45:44 From jake moore: there is an important re-evaluation of what is ‘together’ that cracks open how interconnected we already are and what occupation of space actually mean. this is tied to idea of terra nullias. there is a lot of potential in this investigation
12:47:08 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Anicka Yi’s podcast here: https://www.e-flux.com/podcasts/
12:48:02 From Emily Wall, CUI Staff: Arundhati Roy’s article: https://www.ft.com/content/10d8f5e8-74eb-11ea-95fe-fcd274e920ca?fbclid=IwAR1AGEjVQnRvMLU9XZWmSxWLQqIGy72MwXeTFJZTZzlC7FnUs9N6R4TiJB8
12:48:27 From Duncan Ross: The World Travel & Tourism Council released new global protocols for meetings, events and convention centres today. Https://go.aws/2A0xWZq
12:48:32 From Frank Murphy: Sr levels of governemt have been forced by COVID to inject billions of dollars into the day to day economy, CERB etc… To Noémie’s point re global capitalist failure and the urgent need for systemic change, might there be opportunity post COVID, having just road tested things like a universal guaranteed annual income, for a real shift, here in Canada anyway, to the principles of social democracy?
12:48:33 From jake moore: the ideas of interconnectedness between us is not new to many especially Indigenous and 2SBIPOC
12:48:44 From jake moore: UBA is necessary
12:48:48 From Alicia Richins: We need UBI for everyone!
12:49:17 From Toby Greenbaum: Guaranteed income for all!
12:49:32 From Bridget MacIntosh: Michael!!! YES! – letter writing campaigns happening now to advocate at extending CERB as a short term measure. Write your MP.
12:50:21 From jake moore: Heather yes! and requires less administration
12:50:57 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:51:15 From jake moore: multimodal means have always necessary
12:52:31 From jake moore: multimodal practices are about legitimate and actual increased access
12:52:45 From Bridget MacIntosh: www.folda.ca – June 10th – 13th. Festival of Live Digital Art.
12:52:57 From LoriAnn Girvan: we still have a digital divide!
12:53:36 From jake moore: there is no shared narrative, it is a necessary polyphony
12:53:57 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #citytalk @canurb
12:54:07 From Michelle McGeough: yes, can we also address how we can make this technologies accessible to everyone
12:54:18 From Canadian Urban Institute: Help CUI improve its CityTalk programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/2XRvBI5
12:54:36 From Michelle McGeough: oops these technologies
12:55:16 From Michael Trent: The vocabularies of live and digital performance are different things; the later isn’t a proxy for the former. We can hold the tension of both as long as we recognize their fundamental differences
12:56:14 From Michael Hidetoshi Mori, Tapestry Opera: Yes!
12:56:19 From jake moore: bets practices cannot be best privileges
12:57:04 From Alice Ming Wai Jim: Race data and surveillance particularly during pandemics, and rationalized/legitimaized because of it.
12:58:21 From Alice Ming Wai Jim: Thank you, Heather.
12:59:14 From jake moore: site specificity of media must be fully considered
13:00:08 From Bridget MacIntosh: Great panel! Thanks to you all for your insights and to the Canurb team for organizing.
13:00:15 From Caroline Langill: Thanks everyone, the beginning of a conversation.
13:00:17 From Marsha Paley to All panelists: Thank you. Take care; stay healthy and safe. Keep art and culture at the forefront.
13:00:25 From Demetra Christakos: Thank you very much!
13:00:50 From Michael Hidetoshi Mori, Tapestry Opera to All panelists: Great to hear you all and cross paths!
13:00:51 From Ryan Walker: great panelists and discussion. thank you.
13:00:52 From Michael Trent: Thanks!
13:00:56 From John McHenry: Terrific conversation. Thank you all.
13:00:57 From Tiffany Shaw-Collinge: Thank you!
13:01:03 From Emily Critch: Thank you! Wela’lioq!
13:01:10 From Julie Nagam to All panelists: Thank you everyone
13:01:18 From LoriAnn Girvan: Thank you!
13:01:23 From Johanna Householder to All panelists: Thank you all. Sharing this with the OCAD U community developing the Contemporary Issues course.
13:01:29 From Asma K Caporaletti to All panelists: Thank you everyone –
13:01:30 From D’Arcy Wilson to All panelists: Thanks!
13:01:30 From Bill Hibbs to All panelists: Thank you… great conversation
