Program and schedule

Wednesday, June 11

Regional meetings: RCAAQ Members’ Forum, AGAVF Members’ Forum and ARCCO regional meeting

Various venues

9AM–5PM

Opening reception: Matryoshka Crush by Laura Taler (Ottawa)

Public art commission launch: LANGUE / TONGUE by Hannah Azar Strauss (Montréal)

AXENÉO7 (80 Hanson Street, Gatineau)

7PM–midnight

Thursday, June 12

Daytime Program — NCC River House (501 Sir George-Étienne-Cartier Parkway, Ottawa)

9AM–5PM

9AM–9:30AM: Keynote address by Rebecca Belmore (Vancouver)

10AM–noon: Panel 1: Reclaiming Truth: Indigenous Authenticity – The Path to Accountability

Presented by the ICCA

In English

Panelists: Justin Bear L’Arrivée (Winnipeg), Lori Beavis (Tiohtià:ke/ Mooniyang/ Montreal) and Lori Blondeau (Winnipeg)

Moderator: Liz Barron (Ottawa)

This panel will address the urgent and complex issue of Indigenous identity fraud—commonly referred to as “Pretendians”—and its damaging impact on Indigenous communities, artists, and organizations. Panelists will examine the systemic, cultural, and ethical implications of false claims to Indigeneity, while highlighting community-led responses, accountability mechanisms, and strategies to uphold Indigenous self-determination. The discussion will consider both historical and contemporary contexts, the role of arts institutions and funding agencies, and the shared responsibility of Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in confronting this issue with care, respect, and integrity. Emphasis will be placed on policy development, collective action, and ensuring that Indigenous voices remain centered in Indigenous spaces.

Noon–2PM: Group lunch

2PM–4PM: Panel 2: Exploring Old and New Frameworks for Artist-run Centres

In English and French

Panelists:  Julia Caron Guillemette (Québec), Jenny Fraser (Australia), Lisa Theriault (Charlottetown) and Jennifer Cherniack (Ottawa).

Moderator: Stefan St-Laurent (Gatineau)

This panel brings together diverse voices to examine both historical and emerging models of artist-run centres in Canada and internationally. The conversation will explore how artist-run centres have adapted over time to shifting artistic, political, and economic landscapes. The moderator will guide a discussion on how these centres continue to redefine their roles, challenge institutional norms, and provide vital space for experimental, community-driven practices. From grassroots activism to digital innovation, the panel will reflect on the relevance and resilience of artist-run initiatives across a wide range of contexts.


Participatory Installation: Ayum-ee-aawach Oomama-mowan: Speaking to Their Mother by Rebecca Belmore

Parliament Hill (111 Wellington Street, Ottawa)
10AM–5PM

SAW Outdoor Courtyard (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa)
8PM–midnight

10AM–5PM


Evening Program — National Gallery of Canada (380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa)

Opening Reception: Erica Rutherford: Her Lives and Works

Artist: Erica Rutherford (Stratford, PEI)

6PM–8PM


Night Program — SAW Courtyard & Artengine (67 Nicholas Street)

Opening reception: Ijilauqsimajugut / Takusimajugut (We Were Hidden / We Are Seen)

Artists: Lydia Jaypoody (Kanjiqtugaapik), Siku Rojas (Iqaluit), Jason Sikoak (Montréal), Aghalingiak Ohokonnoak (Edmonton), Darcie Bernhardt (Halifax), Malaya Kisa-Knickelbein (Iqaluit) and Kablusiak (Edmonton)
SAW (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Presented by Debaser and SAW

8PM–midnight

Opening reception: New Suns

Artists: Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Ottawa), WhiteFeather Hunter (Ottawa), Seth Thomson (Ottawa), Emily Pelstring and Naomi Okabe (Kingston), Kemi Craig (Victoria), Eva Grant (Victoria), Melanie Barnett (Medicine Hat, AB) and Kriss Li (Montréal)
Soundscape: Ben Globerman (Ottawa)
Artengine (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa
Presented by Artengine

Performance event: Two-Spirit Ball

Artists: Prada Monroe (Vancouver) and others
Club SAW (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa)
8PM–midnight
Admission: Pay What You Can
Presented by the Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival, the ICCA and SAW

Outdoor Installation

Artist: Laura Grier (Toronto)
Curators: Dani Printup (Ottawa) and Joi Arcand (Ottawa)
SAW Courtyard (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa)
8PM - midnight
Presented by ICCA and SAW

Screenings: Stayin’ Alive: Art as Ceremony, Art as Survival

Artists: Melissa Shaginoff, Jason Baerg, Feather Miigwaans, Carmen Selam, Casey Koyczan and Usama Alshaibi
Curators: Cass Gardiner and Feather Miigwaans
Asinabka Microcinema (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa)
8PM - midnight
Presented by ICCA and Asinabka Festival

Friday, June 13

Plenary and panels — Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery (50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa)

9AM–5PM

9AM–10AM: Plenary

10AM–noon: Panel 3:  Les régions le font mieux (Regions Do It Better)

This panel will highlight the boldness and ingenuity of artist-run centres in Canada’s regions. The panelists will discuss how these centres develop innovative programming that is rooted in their local communities while extending their influence beyond geographic boundaries. Key initiatives such as the Alternative Art Fair in Sudbury and the International Biennial of Performance Art in Rouyn-Noranda will be explored. Together, the panelists will reflect on the essential role that regional centres play in the contemporary art ecosystem, asserting that the margins are often sites of central creative force.

Presented by AGAVF and AXENÉO7

In French

Panelists: Rémi Belliveau (Montréal), Geneviève Crépeau (Rouyn-Noranda), Mériol Lehmann (Montréal), Charlotte Panaccio-Letendre (Laval) and Danielle Tremblay (Sudbury)

Moderator: Dominic Lafontaine (Notre-Dame-du-Nord)

Noon–2PM: Group lunch — Club SAW and SAW Outdoor Courtyard

2PM–4PM: Panel 4:  Artist-run Centres: A Survivor’s Guide

Presented by SAW

In English and French

Panelists: Catherine Bodmer (Montréal), Edith Brunette (Montréal), Tam-Ca Vo-Van (Ottawa) and Justin Waddell (Calgary)

Moderator: Jonathan Middleton (Toronto)

This panel brings together Catherine Bodmer (Montréal), Edith Brunette (Montréal), Tam-Ca Vo-Van (Ottawa), and Justin Waddell (Calgary) to explore the challenges and resilience of artist-run centres in today’s shifting cultural and political climate. Topics will include the recent expansion and renovation of SAW, the impact of censorship in the art world, the collective momentum of the Grande manifestation des arts au Québec, and the growing precarity within the arts ecosystem. Through personal insights and critical reflection, the panelists will share strategies for navigating crisis, sustaining autonomy, and advocating for structural change in artist-run culture.


Presentation, perfomance and workshop — SAW (67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa)

10AM–5PM

10AM–noon: Panel: Governance of Compassion

Presented by Gallery 101
Club SAW
In English
Presented by: Liz Barron, ICCA, Monique Fuller Founder, Ottawa Black Artist Kollective and Laura Margita, G101

1PM–2PM: Parallel: The History and Archives of Artist-Run Centres in Canada

Presented by Dr. Amber Berson (Concordia University) and Dr. Devon Smither (University of Lethbridge)
Club SAW
In English

1PM–5PM: Workshop: Introduction to Silkscreening

Instructor: Rodrigo Medrano (Gatineau)
SAW Nordic Lab Screenprinting Studio
In English and French

3PM–5PM: Interactive performance: Found in Translation / Trouvé dans la traduction

Artists: Jacinte Armstrong (Halifax) with Rémi Belliveau (Montréal), Monelle Doiron (Caraquet), Reza Rezaï (Winnipeg), Laura St. Pierre (Saskatoon), Laura Taler (Ottawa) and  Camille-Zoé Valcourt-Synnott (Halifax)
Club SAW
Presented by the AGAVF
In English and French


Opening reception and Group supper: “Kingunilialuk / Greatly missed, your absence creates a presence”

Artists: Saila Kisa, Thomasie Alikatuktuk, Ananaisie Alikatuktuk, Alan Alikatuktuk, Annie Pitsiulak, Lypa Pitsiulak and Malaya Kisa-Knickelbein
Curators: Linda Grussani and Malaya Kisa-Knickelbein
Presented by ICCA and L’Imagier
L’Imagier Exhibition Centre (9 Front Street, Gatineau)

6:30PM–8:30PM

Saturday, June 14

Free day: Gallery hopping and impromptu meetings