Search

Black History Month 2023
This February, the ACWR is proud to celebrate Black History Month and remembers the important contributions and achievements...
This February, the ACWR is proud to celebrate Black History Month and remembers the important contributions and achievements of BIPOC Canadians. Black History Month, which began in 1926 with Harvard-educated African American historian Carter G. Woodson, sets aside time to honour and commemorate the accomplishments of African-Americans and those of the African Diaspora. Thereafter, celebrations of Black History began in Canada. Black History Month also serves to celebrate how the people of African descent have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity. It also highlights the fight for civil rights, the goals of achieving equality, and by extension, welcome the diversity of Canadian culture.
Outlined below are online links to grants, events, and resources for BIPOC artists:
GRANTS AND CALLS

Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour

This program supports Ontario-based Indigenous arts professionals and arts professionals of colour, or ad hoc groups and collectives made up of Indigenous arts professionals or arts professionals of colour for professional development and skill-building opportunities that advance applicants’ work and careers. It funds all contemporary and traditional art practices that are supported at OAC. Projects can include: study and training, mentorship, internship and apprenticeship and documentation of art work.

(Application deadline: May 4th, 2023, 1:00 PM ET)


Curatorial Projects: Indigenous and Culturally Diverse

The program funds the work of Ontario-based Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour. It aims to increase the ability of Ontario public galleries, artist-run centres and other organizations to present projects by Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour in contexts determined by the participants. The program supports relationship building between curators, galleries, and audiences. There are two categories:

  • Curatorial projects by Indigenous curators
  • Curatorial projects by curators who are people of colour

(Application deadline: October 11, 2023, 1:00 PM ET)

 

2023 CreateSpace Public Art Residency

We are thrilled to launch the 2023 CreateSpace Public Art Residency, a national public art program designed in collaboration with advisors from coast to coast, to provide emerging Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and racialized artists with the skills, relationships and practical experiences needed to build and advance community engaged public art practices.

This residency is open to early to mid-career Canadian-based visual and media artists working in public space, who identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and/or racialized, interested in participating in a virtual residency from March through December 2023. Up to ten artists will be selected for this opportunity by a selection panel composed of members of the arts community who identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and/or racialized. Program components will be offered primarily in English, with translation and ASL services available as needed to support participation of a diverse community of artists.

(Application deadline: February 5th, 11:59 PM PST)

 

EVENTS
The Artists of Colour: Abstracted Realities
February 1st – 19th

The voices of Black artists reverberate through history from ancient times. They cannot be ignored. No longer absent from historical records, they continue to speak independently through media of visual art, music, and literature. The process of selective filtering has been practiced in art throughout history and has rendered the Black artist as invisible. The fact that works of notable Black artists of the past have been excluded from mainstream art galleries for centuries highlights a form of abstraction. Our collective voices must be raised in protest. Today the works of many eminent Black artists are recognized as historically significant contributions and have taken their place beside other influential artists. The works in this exhibit are the narratives of The Artists of Colour.
Manuel Mathieu: World Discovered Under Other Skies
February 1st – 19th
The Haitian-born Canadian artist Manuel Mathieu is known for vibrant, colourful paintings that seamlessly merge abstraction with figuration. His work reflects on our intertwined lives, in which the boundaries between the past and present or the personal and political are often blurred. Sharing recollections that depict everyday scenes, Mathieu also blends into his canvases an interrogation of the complex history of his familial homeland, Haiti. By unearthing the traumas of state violence, he addresses issues that remain as urgent today as they have been throughout Haitian history. This exhibition features a collection of new and past works, including paintings, drawings, and ceramics, shedding light on Haiti’s relationship to the world.
Biblioasis Presents Scotiabank Giller Prize-Winning Author Suzette Mayr
February 2nd
Join us in welcoming author Suzette Mayr in-store to read from her latest, Giller-winning book: THE SLEEPING CAR PORTER! Mayr will be at Biblioasis Bookshop (1520 Wyandotte St. E) starting at 7PM on Thursday, February 2nd, for a reading, signing, and short Q&A event.
About the author: Suzette Mayr is the author of the novels Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall, Monoceros, Moon Honey, The Widows, and Venous Hums. The Widows was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book in the Canada-Caribbean region, and has been translated into German. Moon Honey was shortlisted for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s Best First Book and Best Novel Awards. Monoceros won the ReLit Award, the City of Calgary W. O. Mitchell Book Prize, was longlisted for the 2011 Giller Prize, and shortlisted for a Ferro-Grumley Award for LGBT Fiction, and the Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction. She and her partner live in a house in Calgary close to a park teeming with coyotes. Masks are recommended. Space is wheelchair accessible. Refreshments will be provided. Click the following link to sign up for the event: https://forms.gle/PwzLW6BQrxbwkqVM6
OnStage: The Chevalier de St. Georges
February 2nd
Join the WSO for music, spirits, and snacks. Sit where the musicians sit… join the WSO onstage! The WSO’s very own concertmaster, Lillian Scheirich, brings to life a concerto by the swashbuckling 18th century composer, Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges. Jessie Montgomery is one of the most exciting new composers on the scene today. Her composition Shift, Change, Turn provides a new twist on the four seasons. Ticket includes a complimentary cocktail. This concert is 60 minutes. No intermission.
Café Concert: The Chevalier de St. Georges
February 3rd
Enjoy your morning coffee onstage with music and the WSO! The WSO’s very own concertmaster, Lillian Scheirich, brings to life a concerto by the swashbuckling 18th century composer, Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges. Jessie Montgomery is one of the most exciting new composers on the scene today. Her composition Shift, Change, Turn provides a new twist on the four seasons. Ticket includes complimentary coffee & tea. This concert is 60 minutes. No intermission.
AfroFest 2023
February 3rd – 28th

Afrofest is a week-long celebration of African Heritage Month which takes place in February. The week consists of various cultural and educational activities that document and celebrate the contributions made by peoples of African descent to the world. Afrofest promotes unity on campus, celebrates the journey and progression of black history, as well as engages in cross cultural exchange. Afrofest is a fusion of intellectual discussion, film, fashion, and artistic and musical talent.
Canada South Blues Society Proudly Presents the Blackburn Brothers
February 3rd

Canada South Blues Society is honoured to present Toronto based Blues artists Blackburn Brothers.

A true family band with brothers Duane, Brooke, Cory and Robert participating. Their deep roots in music came about naturally with their father, Bobby Dean Blackburn, a well known figure in the Toronto R&B Scene, helping plant an appreciation of music while growing up.

Maple Blues Award Winners 2010, Best New Band. Juno Nominated 2016, Blues Album of the Year. Duane received a Maple Blues Nomination for Keyboard/Piano Player 2019/2020. Cory received a Maple Blues Award Nomination for Drummer of the Year 2020. Their signature sound blends with a mix of Blues, R&B, Funk and Soul. Black History Month Guest Speaker Presentation by Elise Harding Davis. Special guests opening: Tim Swaddling Band. Doors @ 6PM, show @ 7PM.

Celebrating Black Voices: The Chevalier de St. Georges – Amherstburg Freedom Museum
February 3rd
WSO concertmaster, Lillian Scheirich, brings to life a concerto by the swashbuckling 18th century composer, Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges. Jessie Montgomery’s composition Shift, Change, Turn provides a new twist on the four seasons. Jessie is one of the most exciting new composers on the scene today. Vocalist Florine Ndimubandi sings Amazing Grace and Oscar Peterson’s 1962 Hymn to Freedom.

Featuring:
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra
Robert Franz, conductor
Lillian Scheirich, violin
Florine Ndimubandi, vocalist

Music Composed by:
Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges
Jessie Montgomery
Oscar Peterson

University Players Presents 365 Plays/365 Days
February 3rd – 12th

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) offers this anthology of plays, written as a personal project over a one year-period in 2002. Each day, the playwright would write a short play, sometimes only a few lines long, sometimes with no words at all. The result is a deep dive into the human condition, at turns hilarious, touching and gut-wrenching. University Players students will take a selection of the 365 works and perform them in a montage of scenes that tell a story of Action, Inaction and Remembering Who You Are.
Rarely Seen: Art from the Amherstburg Freedom Museum Collection
February 4th – 26th

Every Saturday and Sunday in February art from the Amherstburg Freedom Museum collection will be featured at the Hole in The Wall at the River Bookshop from 12:00pm until 5:00pm. Art from the AFM collection will be showcased featuring a mix of styles, techniques, and subject matter related to the Black experience. This is an experience you will not want to miss. Free event.
Celebrating Black Voices: The Chevalier de St. Georges – Sandwich First Baptist Church
February 4th
WSO concertmaster, Lillian Scheirich, brings to life a concerto by the swashbuckling 18th century composer, Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges. Jessie Montgomery’s composition Shift, Change, Turn provides a new twist on the four seasons. Jessie is one of the most exciting new composers on the scene today. Vocalist Florine Ndimubandi sings Amazing Grace and Oscar Peterson’s 1962 Hymn to Freedom.

Featuring:
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra
Robert Franz, conductor
Lillian Scheirich, violin
Florine Ndimubandi, vocalist

Music Composed by:
Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de St. Georges
Jessie Montgomery
Oscar Peterson

SoCA Jazz Faculty in Concert
February 4th
Enjoy a fabulous evening of jazz in the Capitol Theatre’s Pentastar Theatre! Tickets available on the Capitol Theatre website, or by calling the Box Office at 519-973-1238 ext. 2

Featuring:
Shahida Nurullah, vocalist
Michael Karloff, piano
Mike Palazzolo, bass
Robert “Bob” Fazecash, trumpet
Jeffrey Price, saxophone
Miles Finlayson, guitar
Vanessa Harnish, drums
Tickets: $25 Adults; $10 Students.

A Celebration of Oscar Peterson
February 11th

Oscar Peterson, regarded as one the greatest jazz pianists of all time, is among Canada’s most honoured musicians. Peterson’s Canadiana Suite, originally written as a ballet, will be performed with jazz trio and orchestra. Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 – her first full-scale orchestral composition – was the first symphony by a Black woman to be performed by a major American orchestra.
Robert Franz, conductor
Thompson Egbo-Egbo, piano
An Evening with Oscar Peterson: Film & Concert
February 11th

Ticket purchase includes film, concert, and light fare between events.
Tickets: $65

About the Film “Oscar Peterson Black + White”
View Barry Avrich’s celebration of the musician, Oscar Peterson in his film “Oscar Peterson: Black + White.” Avrich charts Peterson’s rise to prominence and his legendary proficiency. Peterson took direct action against racism, applying his musical gifts to the fight for equal rights. One of his most celebrated compositions, “Hymn to Freedom,” was performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration.

About the Concert “A Celebration of Oscar Peterson”
Join the WSO for a concert celebrating Black Voices. Oscar Peterson, regarded as one the greatest jazz pianists of all time, is among Canada’s most honoured musicians. Peterson’s Canadiana Suite, originally written as a ballet, will be performed with jazz trio and orchestra. Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 – her first full-scale orchestral composition – was the first symphony by a Black woman to be performed by a major American orchestra. This concert features pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo.

4:30pm – doors open
5:00pm – 6:30pm – Film Screening of “Oscar Peterson: Black + White”
6:30pm – Light Fare
7:30pm – 8:45pm – WSO Concert: “A Celebration of Oscar Peterson”

A BLAZE OF STORY – ANCESTORS (FEATURING MBONISI ZIKHALI ZOMKHONTO, HOSTED BY TEAJAI TRAVIS)
February 14th
Join poet/storyteller Mbonisi Zikhali Zomkhonto and City of Windsor Multicultural Storyteller Teajai Travis for a Blaze of Story – Ancestors. His spoken word/storytelling name is Zomkhonto which happens to be his bloodline’s totem. Zomkhonto is a trained journalist, youth mentor, qualified Community Services Worker, grassroots community organizer, and mental wellness advocate. He considers himself an afro-empath. Mbonisi is driven to ensure that people find joy in the power of words and storytelling. This is the first in a series of ancestral storytelling events presented by Sacred Story Studio: a multimedia platform dedicated to the promotion, exhibition, and preservation of storytelling. Seating is limited and there are no reservations so arrive early to claim your seat! Pay what you can. Note that there is an open call for submissions: if you would like to be featured at a future event, send a brief synopsis of your ancestral story(ies) to sacredstorystudio@gmail.com.
Black Kids in Action
February 24th

Black Kids in Action Presents a Black History Month production: “How Did We Get Here.” From our journey, our experiences, and our struggles we tell our stories and we relate them to the histories of the past and try to correlate them with the happenings in the present. “How Did We Get Here” is a stage production that tells of how the youths struggle to understand, that despite every achievements of black people, their voices are still not heard. These are real life stories. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at door. Contact Marcia Pivotte for tickets. Phone: 519-566-8791, email: bkiayouths2019@gmail.com.
The Shoe Project Presents: Taking New Steps (Windsor)
February 26th
Ten women originally coming from Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, China, Nepal, Sudan, and Ukraine will share their stories of immigration and adaptation to Canada – through the focus of a pair of shoes. The Shoe Project helps newcomer women improve their language and communication skills by providing writing and public speaking workshops. Our program starts with a 10-week writing seminar. A writing mentor leads the weekly writing sessions to help 12 participants each discover and craft a story about their journey to Canada. The personal memoir uses a pair of shoes as focus. Then, each participant starts one-on-one performance coaching sessions with a theatre professional. In the end, the newcomer women performers will present their stories on stage at a theatre venue in front of a public audience. The experience of sharing these deeply personal stories is empowering and, for those who are there to hear, profound. Founded in 2011, The Shoe Project now has workshops in 10 cities across Canada and has worked with over 250 newcomer women originally coming from 62 countries and regions.
Buy Black Twenty Eight Day Challenge
February 1st – 28th

Join Black Business Can for the 3 rd annual Buy Black 28 Day Challenge throughout Black History Month. There will be a showcase of Black-owned businesses on Facebook and Instagram that you can learn about, visit, and enjoy with your family.

 

RESOURCES

BIPOC Film Resources

In partnership with Nola Cooks, Arts Council Windsor & Region has accumulated a collection of BIPOC led and advocated resources. It is an updated listings for film supplies, resources, workshops, education and grant opportunities to aid BIPOC Film Artists in pursuing their practice.

 
Black History Organizations and Education Resources 

There are many organizations and educational resources devoted to the promotion and awareness of Black Canadian history. This website is brought to you by the Government of Canada. Click the title (link embedded)  to find organizations and educational resources in your province.

 

UNISON Benevolent Fund

Collection of resources for Black Canadians from the UNISON Benevolent Fund promotes the accessibility of mental health resources, organizations, and community programs. Resources provide programs nation wide and in the general Toronto area. This list is continuously updated as new resources are discovered.

 

Experiences Canada

Experiences Canada provides a list of resources for Black Canadians that fights racism through educational organizations, BIPOC driven helplines, and institutions advocating anti-racist agendas that helps guide communities to explore the diversity of language, culture, and lived experiences within our country.