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is a paid 6-week incubator for creative exploration and peer-learning around themes of shared urgencies in society, in order to re-imagine a more inclusive future from an artistic point of view. Our focus is on disrupting habitual practices of traditional thinking, while encouraging alternative methods of art practices.
Each program cycle invites initiatives led by historically marginalized artists*.
*While many people today identify as artists, we are primarily focused on inviting and engaging artists from multiple art backgrounds that identify as members of one or more equity-seeking groups. These groups include but are not limited to: 2SLGBTQ+, Disability Groups, Indigenous Communities (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Racialized Groups and Women.
Dialogue & Theoretical Foundation
Studio & Workshop
Peer & Public Presentations
Archiving & Assessment
We will host weekly themes-based dialogue and open-discussions (digitally and/or in-person) for the cohort to meet and critically explore concepts that further their mindset as artistic practitioners. This is combined with weekly support through mentorship for the development of the cohort’s artistic initiatives.
We will host weekly studio and workshop sessions for the cohort to practice, create and experiment on their initiatives. Studio space and materials-based resources will be provided by Artengine along with access to other tangible resources from community partners. This is combined with weekly group gatherings for peer feedback and dialogue around presentations from visiting art practitioners.
We will host weekly presentations of works in-progress by the cohort through co-presentations amongst peers with a public presentation opportunity both in studio at Artengine and online.
We will host weekly archiving of the knowledge-developed during the cohort cycle along with designing public formats for the initiatives developed during the program, either through podcast, video series or/and zines. To build on regeneration, the current cohort will offer feedback to co-design the next cohort’s iteration.
THE RESIDENTS IN OUR PILOT COHORT
Jennifer A. Quintanilla
Jennifer A. Quintanilla (she/her) is a Salvadoran-American New York native who has been calling Canada her home over the past few years. She holds an M.A. in Film and Media Studies from Concordia University.
In addition, she recently earned an Arts in Medicine Graduate Certificate from the University of Florida. Her experience there led her down the path of developing a creative wellness initiative. Her project centres on how film can serve as an outlet and tool to unearth possible solutions for mental and emotional health & well-being.
Mikayla Gordon/Seiiizi
Mikayla Gordon (she/her) was born and raised in Ottawa. Her artist name is Seiiizi. She became a self taught Emcee, DJ and Producer with artistic roots in Hip-Hop and reggae. Since 2015, Mikayla/Seiiizi has been creating spaces for creatives to learn and showcase their talents. Seiiizi strives to build the urban arts community, while fusing her own unique twists on tracks and mixes.
Her project focuses on supporting multimedia immersive showcases of emerging artists in the Ottawa region, while connecting them with new audiences.
Abdul Muse/KAR33M
Abdul Muse (he/him) is an award-winning entrepreneur and singer/songwriter. He is the founder of Woke Studios; an artistic residency for Afro-diverse emerging artists to find support for their debut work.
As an award-winning Afro-soul artist famously known as KAR33M, he creates narrative-style music to provide a unique perspective into the African diaspora. His project focuses on how to build alternative blueprints for success for afro-diverse genre artists within the music industry, while uncovering resources to guide their path.
