Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario presents The Gathering

The Gathering

Celebrating 10 years of showcasing, convening and support for equity and pluralism in the Arts

Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) celebrates 10 years of working with providing services to and facilitating learning forums for artists and arts organizations in equity, diversity, inclusivity and pluralism. CPAMO will convene the arts community around a four day event, The Gathering: Celebrating 10 years of showcasing, convening and supporting equity and pluralism in the Arts. The Gathering offers an interactive space where arts organizations, artists and attendees dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, inclusivity and pluralism in the arts can share dialogue on common purposes and strategies in shaping how contemporary intersections in artistic practice influence diverse Canadian cultural expressions. For more information visit www.cpamo.org, email info@cpamo.org or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Schedule:

Tuesday, May 21

Nia Centre for the Arts
524 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto, ON M6E 2X1
Register on Eventbrite

The Gathering: Black Arts Mentorships | 1-5pm
Admission: $10

Curated by Parul Pandya in collaboration with Nia Centre for the Arts, Dance Immersion, Coco Collective, City of Toronto Anti-Black Racism Committee, and RISE Edutainment.

With charismatic community and arts leaders in diverse disciplines, this session will dive into how Black arts leaders and community activists are supporting and enabling Black youth to grow in their artistic and life practices. With perspecting ranging from spoken word, dance, mixed/multi-media and community activism, this session will provide valuable information to those interested in mentoring Black youth and Black youth looking for mentorship and wanting to understand how it can enable them to grow as full artists and beings.

Monday, May 27

Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7
Register on Native Earth’s Box office.

The Gathering: a convening of Choreographers in collaboration with Choreogrpahers’ Network Toronto (CN-T) | 10am-12pm
Regent Park Film Festival (2nd Floor) | Admission: $10

Getting Grants: From Application to Performance + Beyond: Geared towards choreographers, the discussion will focus on practical considerations for project granting, using your grants to develop your projects/career strategically and how to plan a career in the arts diversely. Moderator: Denise Fujiwara.

Choreographers’ Network Toronto CN-T is an intentional network composed of choreographers. They meet to discuss issues of relevance to the work and life of Toronto-based choreographers and organize Action Projects to work towards development and change in areas of concern for the group.

The Gathering: Writers in Conversation | 2:30-6pm
Aki Studio Theatre | Admission: $10

A collaboration with Literary Press Group, The Writers Union of Canada, Playwrights Guild Canada, League Of Canadian Poets, Festival Of Literary Diversity, and OCAD U BIPOC Writers.

This session will explore the changing landscape of Canadian literature and what organizations involved in it are doing to increase the presence of Indigenous, racialized and other marginalized writers. The Gathering readings by Sheniz Janmohamed, Michael Fraser, and Bänoo Zan.

The Gathering Performances features Sashar Zarif Dance, Mateo Galindo Torres Dance, Carmen Romero and Adrenalin by Ahmad Meree | 7:30-9pm (doors open at 7pm)
Aki Studio Theatre | General Admission: $20 | Students $15

Tuesday, May 28

Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7
Register on Native Earth’s Box office.

The Gathering: Staging Change, A Conversation on Diversity in Dance in collaboration with Diverse Dance Initiative | 2-6pm
Aki Studio Theatre | Admission: $10

What does diversity mean to you? What are some misconceptions about diversity? How do we deepen our understanding of viewership? What are some of the politics around creating as a IPOC artist? Why is this conversation still relevant? What are some of the circumstances that continue to fuel the divide in the contemporary dance community in Toronto? Panelists will speak about their various artistic practices and address the continued barriers faced by IPOC artists in Toronto. We aim to put forward some approaches explored by the Diversity Dance Initiative to combat these systematic challenges. Performance by Ronald Taylor Dance.

The Gathering: Conversations with Local Arts Services Organizations | 2-6pm
CSI Daniel Spectrum (2nd floor) | Admission: $10

Curated by Parul Pandya in collaboration with MUSE Arts, East End Arts, Art Starts, Scarborough Arts, North York Arts, Urban Arts, Etobicoke Arts, Lakeshore Arts, Jumblies, and Muse Arts.

With the involvement of the leaders of local arts services organizations and other dynamic community-based arts organizations, this session will explore the important role such grassroots organizations play in connecting marginalized and other communities in the arts. Performance by Shaunga Tagore Theatre.

The Gathering Performances features Newton Moraes Dance, The Seat Next to the King, Nova Dance, and Alluvial Plain| 7:30-9pm (doors open at 7pm)
Aki Studio Theatre | General Admission: $20 | Students $15

Wednesday, May 29

Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7
Register on Native Earth’s Box office.

The Gathering: A Conversation on Disabilities and Artistic Practice | 1-4:30pm
CSI Daniel Spectrum (2nd floor) | Admission: $10

In collaboration with Reelabilities, Workman Arts, and Tangled Arts.

Involving three of Toronto’s highly regarded arts organizations working with the Deaf and Disabled communities, this session will explore in depth the workings of such artists and the role these organizations play in presenting and advocating for increased recognition of Deaf and Disabled Artists, their arts practices and stories. Performance by Cahoots Theatre.

The Gathering: Indigenous Activism in the Arts | 2-6pm
Aki Studio Theatre | Admission: $10

In collaboration with Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Native Earth, and Aboriginal Curatorial Collective.

There has been much discussion publicly about the central importance of Indigenous peoples to how Canada sees itself. Much of this has been fueled by Indigenous artists in different disciplines who have been actively engaged in building their arts practices within diverse Indigenous cultural forms and creating some of the most exciting works in contemporary Canadian arts. Performances by Unsettled Scores.

The Gathering Fundraising Event, After Party and Gala Performances Featuring Sampradaya Dance Creations, Red Slam Collective, DFM bassoon quartet, and KasheDance
7:30-9pm (doors open at 7pm)
Aki Studio Theatre | General Admission: $30 | Students $25

In collaboration with:

Accessibility: Aki Studio Theatre, CSI and Regent Park Film Festival are accessible. Nia Centre for the Arts is partially accessible.

We aim to host a fragrance-free event. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, or other scented products.

CPAMO is supported by: