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Black History Month: 2022
February 1, 2022 - February 28, 2022
Black History Month: February 1 – 28, 2022
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 opportunities and grant applications for BIPOC artists:
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/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. Projects can include: study and training, mentorship, internship and apprenticeship and documentation of artwork.
(Application deadline May 5, 2022, 1 p.m. 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 is October 13, 2022, 1 p.m. ET)
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.
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 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.
The North Was Our Canaan: Exploring Sandwich Town’s Underground Railroad History
The University of Windsor Graduate, Anushray Singh is an Indian filmmaker, educator, and writer based in Canada. This website includes a featured Documentary by Singh and additional resources surrounding the experiences of Black Lives in Sandwich Town in Windsor, Ontario.
About the Film
The North Was Our Canaan: Exploring Sandwich Town’s Underground Railroad History (2020) is the first part in a larger project aiming to collect, document, and share the rich history and inspiring legacy of enslaved people who sought freedom in Canada. Once a separate community, Sandwich Town is now a neighbourhood of Windsor, Ontario. Its location on the Detroit River, which separates Canada and the United States, made it an important terminus on the Underground Railroad. This film draws upon the voices of those who have lived in Sandwich Towne and researched this neighbourhood and was inspired by those who built it.
WHEN WE SAY IT – HOW TO TALK ABOUT ANTI-BLACK RACISM
WHEN WE SAY IT is a gathering of community and cultural leaders, an opportunity to hear feedback in how we (as BIPOC individuals and allies) define, approach and continually practice anti-black racism.
Hosted by ACWR’s Kaitlyn Karns
Moderator: Talysha Bujold- Abu
Panellist: Natalie Delia Deckard, Josh Lamers and Camisha Sibblis
ON Canada