Women's Rights Workshop- Registration Open!

To celebrate Human Rights Day on December 10, 2014,  The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo, in collaboration with the Regional Advisory Committee for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality, and the Canadian Women's Foundation, presents Women's Rights Workshop. 

This workshop aims to bring awareness of women’s issues in Canada as a whole as well as in our community and what steps can be taken to reduce discrimination. 

If you would like to learn about:
•       Women in Business 
•       Human Trafficking 
•       Sexual and reproductive health 
•       Domestic Violence 
•       Live in Care-giver’s rights 
•       Aboriginal Women’s Rights

To register, please click here

Upcoming Art Opportunities at the Banff Centre

WOOD/SODA/FIRE/BANFF 
Ceramics Thematic Residency Program Dates: April 27-May 22, 2015 
Application Deadline: January 14, 2015 
This residency is an opportunity to work alongside other wood and soda fire enthusiasts; to create, share ideas, techniques and inspirations, and in turn, be inspired by the stunning surroundings of the Rocky Mountains which we will take time to discover and explore.

 http://www.banffcentre.ca//programs/program.aspx?id=1556 BAiR 2D 



BAiR 2D
Program dates: April 27, 2015 - May 22, 2015 
Application deadline: January 14, 2015 

A program for artists working in the mediums of analog and digital photography, alternative and historical photographic processes, drawing, printmaking, painting, paper making, weaving & fibre arts. 

http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1548 

BAiR Spring 
Program dates: June 1-26, 2015 
Application deadline: February 18, 2015 
The Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) program in Visual Arts provides time and space for artists, curators, and arts professionals to create, research, experiment with and develop production techniques, and cultivate new directions in their work. 

http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1557 

Critical Art Writing Ensemble 
Program dates: April 27, 2015-May 15, 2015 
Application deadline: January 14, 2015 
The Banff International Curatorial Institute's Critical Art Writing Ensemble will explore art writing as an aspect of literature – exhibition catalogues can expand into short novels and stories; reviews into haikus and soliloquies that can transcend the ephemerality of quotidian journalism.

 http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=1558

Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/Banff-Centre-Visual-Arts-Listings

Temporary Internship Opportunity with Mann Art Gallery

We are looking for an energetic individual to assist in creating advances in the dissemination of curatorial theory and further knowledge of Canadian Contemporary and Historic Art in the North Central Saskatchewan region. This includes an introduction to the day-to-day responsibilities of a Curator including the organization of exhibitions from research, writing, selection of works, arranging for loans, supervising catalogue production, and designing and completing the installation of exhibits to preparing publicity and curatorial packages for exhibitions and other Gallery events and programs. The Assistant Curator will also play a key role in the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of works of art / collections and will work closely with the Director / Curator in all aspects of the position's duties and responsibilities. 

The position begins on October 22nd, 2014 (some flexibility) and will end on March 29th, 2015. Our work week typically runs Tuesday - Saturday. Specific hours are negotiable, but it is a 35 hour week. Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required.

Requirements
As this program is an extension of the Young Canada Works program, potential candidates must adhere to the following guidelines:
• Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) 
• A post-secondary graduate not currently enrolled in classes. Concentration in Curatorial Studies, Fine Arts, or relevant equivalent.
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada
• Legally entitled to work according to the provincial legislation and regulations
• Not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
• Never have participated in a Career Focus program 

Artist in Residency Open House TOMORROW

The Wood Buffalo Artist in Residency are excited to be hosting an Open House at their Snye Studio in the MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery on Thursay, July 17, 2014 from 2 pm to 6 pm. 

Come meet the resident artists: Liana Wheeldon, Mandy Wills, Penny Seilyon Chun and Reinalie Jorolan. 

Every week you will have a chance to see the artists at work and learn more about the artistic process. 

Everyone is welcome!

Visit www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/artist for more information about AIR and the artists. 

Artist in Residency Open House- Saturday, July 12, 2014

Parlez-vous français?

Parlez-vous français?

Can you speak French?

If you can currently speak French, or if you used to be able to but haven't spoken French in a while, then why not attend the French as a Second Language (FSL) discussion group at the Fort McMurray Public Library?

FSL takes place every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm on the second floor. This group is meant for adults who have a beginner's or basic knowledge of the French language and want the opportunity to practice speaking French with others. 

Each meeting is relaxed and informal. 

This is a great opportunity to brush up on your language skills!

Turn Your Passion Into A Business! - Etsy Sign Up Seminar

When: Monday, June 23rd, 6:30pm – 8:30pm 

Where: Municipal Future Forward Building, 9717 Franklin Ave 

Cost: Free! Please register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/etsy-sign-up-seminar-turn-your-passion-into-a-business-tickets-11911472535# 

Want to sell your products online but need a little help? Come out to our Etsy Sign Up Seminar and we'll walk you through the steps and throw in some  tips as well! Proudly hosted by the Culture Network, the seminar is presented by the Fort Mac Hand Crafted Market and led by Joanna Torguson, their Managing Director and Sarah Reid, their Vendor Mentor. Both are experienced Etsy sellers living and crafting in Fort McMurray. Some work should be done ahead of time. 
Please visit http://fortmachandcrafted.com/vendor-collective/links/ and scroll down to "Turn Your Passion Into A Business" for links to the seminar handout. Follow the directions so everyone can begin at the same place. 

Want to get involved in the Culture Network conversation? Visit http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/culture or contact Theresa Jolliffe at theresa.jolliffe@woodbuffalo.ab.ca or 780-743-7994 

Islamic Awareness Day- June 7, 2014

Vitalize 2014- June 5 to 7, 2014 in Calgary

Registration is now open for Vitalize 2014 - secure your spot today!

Vitalize is the premier training and skills development conference for the nonprofit/voluntary sector in Alberta. Vitalize returns to Calgary in 2014 with phenomenal keynote speakers, a fun-filled evening gala and engaging speaker sessions covering topics such as:

• fundraising
• volunteer management
• leadership
• stress management

Vitalize 2014 offers over 55 speaker sessions, arranged according to seven themes:

• Creative Community
• Organizational Capacity Development
• Leadership
• Human Resources
• Communication
• Technology
• Recharge Your Power
• Social Enterprise

Browse this year's speaker sessions. Choose sessions that match your interests and personal and professional development goals before registering for Vitalize 2014.

FREE Cross Cultural Parenting Program

This program is useful for all parents but it is especially useful for newcomers to learn how parenting might be different in Canada. The program teaches parents best practices and discusses methods and techniques for discipline, behavioral issues, etc.  The program is completely free and childcare is available to participants for free onsite. In addition, transportation can be arranged for participants if needed. 

Festivals and Events Tourism Growth Program

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation is inviting organizations to submit applications to the Festivals and Events Tourism Growth Program. The upcoming application deadline is May 8, 2014.

The program aims to assist festivals and events in Alberta reach their tourism potential. The program makes available grant funding of $25,000 to $40,000. Funding is used to work with a third party-consultant to evaluate an organization’s festival or event, identify tourism growth opportunities, and set clear steps towards growing the visitor experience and increasing visitation and revenue.

Eligible organizations include not-for profit organizations, municipalities, and First Nations or Métis governments. The program is most appropriate for festivals and events that attract regional, provincial, national or international visitors, and have an annual audience of at least 1500, of which a minimum 25% are out of town visitors. 

The program application and program guidelines are available at: http://tpr.alberta.ca/tourism/festivals-events.aspx. 

Please provide program information to organizations in your region that you feel have the potential to increase tourism visitation and revenues. If you have any questions about the program, please contact a Tourism Development Officer at 780-427-0590 or festivalsandevents@gov.ab.ca. 

Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/Festivals-and-Events-Tourism-Growth-Program---May-8-2014

Fort McMurray Film Makers Association Workshop on March 27

YMMFMA Founding Member, Tito Guillen will be giving a workshop on how to submit your film projects to various film festivals.

Thursday, March 27 2014

Bob Lamb Bldg – Room #252

8pm – 10pm

Free to Attend for Anyone!

Workshop will cover how to prepare your film for submission, different ways to submit films, creating a press-kit and much more!

Agenda – Film Festivals Workshop

Workshop will also include a discussion among attendees regarding current film projects, challenges and additional news/updates regarding filmmaking in our region, including a sneak peek into the 2014 Fort McMurray International Film Festival!

As with all Member-Led Workshops, this is peer-to-peer education and should be treated as tips and tricks of the industry. This is not formal education and no certification will be provided.

Canadian Geographic "Choose the Next Cover" Contest- Ends Tomorrow!

Canadian Geographic Magazine, dedicated to uncovering Canadian stories since 1930, needs your help in choosing its April magazine cover! Contest ends February 25, 2014. 

Visit their website to select your favourite photo. By voting, you also enter a draw to win a FREE one-year subscription to Canadian Geographic!

Tackle RACISM Inter-School Contest

LATIN FEVER! Presented by the Fort McMurray Social Dance Club

Join the Fort McMurray Social Dance Club in an evening of Latin fever on Friday, February 21, 2014!

 Salsa lessons will be available from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, followed by open dance. Please RSVP on their Facebook page before the event. Hope to see you there!

The club meets at the Tarsands Lions Club (Clubhouse) located at 3 Tolen Dr, Fort McMurray. 

( Regular fees apply: $30/half year membership, or $10/drop-in.) 

Keyano Lecture Series Presents "Drawing: And How it Made the World" on Feb. 21, 2014

Artists continue to consider drawing an essential vehicle for addressing and interacting with the world today. Whether representational or abstract, small or large in scale, using only one line or rich in colors and pattern, drawings have a highly descriptive and meticulously detailed quality that continues to be explored by artists, engineers, scientists and mathematicians as a way of understanding the complex nature of our world.

This FREE lecture series will be taking place in the Keyano Recital Theatre at 7 pm on Friday, February 21, 2014.  

February is Black History Month!

February is Black History Month!

You can learn more about Black Canadian history at Historica Canada. There is a collection of Heritage Minutes about the Underground Railroad, Black Loyalists and Black heroes. Some of these people are renown, like Jackie Robinson (see his Canadian connection here), while some aren't as well known, Maurice Ruddick (you can learn about him here).  There is also an education guide for teachers looking for ways to teach and celebrate Black history!

Sign Up for Beginner Art Classes!