2021 Annual Report

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Healing What is healing? The Latin root of the word refers to the idea of “making whole.” Throughout the past 2 years, our region has undergone major changes yet continues to be a strong, resilient community. In 2021, many artists had to adapt to virtual settings and explore new ways to create their art. This time also came with important self reflection and acceptance which led to creating new connections. ACWB also supported healing by focusing on programs which foster connection and celebration. From Art of Conversation to the Buffys, we have been on a journey fraught with challenges. Once again, as the world shifts, we are excited to discover what the road ahead to new projects, such as Arts Inc, looks like! As we move into 2022, we are thankful for the arts community as we continue to heal together through collaboration, community and creativity. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Cover Artist AMBREEN EHTISHAM ARTIST STATEMENT I am a local Fort McMurray, Canada based mixed media artist, who specializes in the use of resin. Born and raised in Pakistan, I was drawn to art as a form of self-expression from a young age. I draw my inspirations from beautiful landscapes, emotions and memories. A love of nature and geology inspires the use of colour in my artwork. The use of earthy materials including different coloured rocks, stones and crystals make my artwork stand out. Though I use many mediums for my art including acrylics, alcohol inks and mixed media, my primary medium and speciality is in the use of resin. The beauty of resin is that no two pieces will ever look exactly the same which means there is a high level of ingenuity and uniqueness to every single piece. Art for me is a very meaningful and personal form of expression as it is about sharing the way I experience and see the world and my art is in some ways an extension of my personality. When it comes to inspiration for my work, for me, it is more about ‘what’ than ‘who’. I love to travel and explore and this is a source of inspiration for my creative work. My art is a blend of my feelings about places, landscapes, my experiences, emotions and memories mixed with some of the physical attributes of it, like colours, light, and terrain. The open call for Arts Council Wood Buffalo for the annual report was based on the theme of ‘healing’. This resonates with me because during the pandemic, as the world around us changed, I turned to my art to help me cope. ‘Healing is not linear’ is made with alcohol ink and it shows that healing is not a task or a straightforward process, it is a fluid process that can be difficult and ugly but it can also be a beautiful process that allows people to reflect, love, accept and get to know themselves on a different level. My work focuses on exploring themes of nature and the environment because we are surrounded by so much beauty that can heal, inspire and motivate people and if we really take the time to soak in all the natural beauty around us it would bring so much positivity to us as individuals and the world as a whole. For me nature is therapeutic but I know that not everyone has the opportunity to travel or explore nature so I try to bring the beauty I see to others through my art. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA

The arts community is connected and has the resources needed to thrive. The arts are recognized as essential in creating a balanced community. Arts Council Wood Buffalo is an influential voice for the arts. Arts Council Wood Buffalo celebrates and supports diversity. We are committed to showing respect for all, encouraging open collaboration and communication, and creating an inclusive environment, free from barriers and discrimination. We welcome the unique contributions each individual brings in terms of education, opinions, and culture, and we do not discriminate, or tolerate discrimination by others, based on race, religion, beliefs, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status or status as a differently-abled individual, among other things. We also welcome 2SLGBTQ+, First Nations, Metis Nations, Inuit, and Multicultural groups and individuals. Arts Council Wood Buffalo recognizes that we live, work, and create on the ancestral territories of the Dene, Nêhiyawak, and other First Nations peoples, and the unceded land of the Metis. We are all treaty people together in our collective home within the boundaries of Treaty 8. We would also like to recognize the traditional knowledge holders and Elders who are still with us today, and those who have gone before us. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Table of Contents 2 Messages 5 2021 At A Glance 7 Programs Overview 15 Rural Arts Support Program 17 Communications & Engagement 20 Arts Inc 21 Advocating for the Arts 22 Board of Directors & Staff 23 Thank you ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and congratulations to Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) on what has been another successful year for the organization in 2021. Like with many communities in Alberta and across the country, our region persevered through some challenges in 2021. It’s clear that ACWB played an important role in how we overcame these challenges while helping us chart a collective path towards the future while focusing on the opportunities that lie ahead. On behalf of Council and the Municipality, I want to thank Chair Dave Boutilier and the entire Board of Directors for its leadership, as well as Executive Director Liana Wheeldon and the team at ACWB for their impressive efforts in supporting the growth and success of the arts in the region. I am in full agreement with ACWB’s mission of the arts as integral to a remarkable quality of life. Please know that we truly value everything that you are doing to make this an even better place to call home. This year’s theme is “healing” and ACWB was a key driver of this in 2021 – at a time when it is much needed for many people in our communities. When I think about the arts, I think about connection, celebration and reflection. As you can see through its many programs, projects and initiatives, ACWB has certainly fostered all those things over the last year through a collaborative, community-driven approach that is deeply rooted in partnerships – including with Council and the Municipality. Again, thank you and I wish ACWB and all artists in the region all the best in the year ahead. Sandy Bowman Mayor 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 02

My mother never said “Goodbye”, always “See Ya’ Later”. She told me that Goodbye is final, and that even at the end of a road, there was always the option to continue somewhere down the line. This always stuck with me, but I never really understood what she meant… until now. In 2016, at ACWBs AGM, I introduced a set of Bylaw changes that were passed, by you, the membership, which restricted term limits to board members to a maximum of three two-year terms. This AGM marks the end of my third term as a board member, and as such, the end of my time with ACWB. In the next year, I will still be around however, serving as the orginizations first “Past Chair”, offering guidance and advice to the incoming executive, should they ask for it. While I won’t be on the path anymore, I will still have a chance to say hello every now and again. Arts Council Wood Buffalo sure has changed since those years. In fact, its hard to believe that we’re only 10 years old. We incorporated as a society in 2012, with a volunteer board, no money, and no staff. The board at the time did all the work themselves with a mandate to help raise the profile of arts, and artists in this community. Since then, we’ve become a powerful artistic force within the RMWB and beyond, using the skills of our talented staff, the wisdom of our board, and the guidance of our executive committee to craft a culture of well being and community within our rural and urban environments. We’ve made, and kept, a promise to the local government to reduce our financial dependence on them, and now receive over 30% of our funding requirements from outside channels, all while increasing our deliverables, raising awareness, creating new programmes, and increasing activism for artists and the arts. As of this meeting, we have more partnerships, external engagements, programs, and members, then ever before, and we’re growing. Many of you may have heard of Arts Inc. For those who haven’t, it’s a plan that ACWB has to create a central hub for arts, artists, and arts commerce in Wood Buffalo, allowing creation, collaboration, and creativity to flourish in our region. It is the next logical step for an ever-growing organization such as ours, and one that will lead down a path of excellence, helping the RMWB to maintain its place as a healthy and vibrant community, and a cultural powerhouse. Seeing that path extend as it diverges from my own allows me to keep on walking with a smile on my face, albeit a bittersweet one, knowing that what once was a ragtag band of good ideas, is now a group of respected community leaders with a future that is vibrant. So, remember this, It’s not Goodbye, it’s See Ya’ Later. Dave Boutilier Board Chair & Director - Theatre ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 03

As we all continued to adapt work and life to accommodate the shifting pandemic requirements through 2021, Arts Council was able to support community connecting with arts and culture across the region through its programs and services. Arts and culture reflect the community and provide respite that contributes to wellbeing. Programs such as Seniors & The Arts and the Rural Arts Support Program enabled connections through art making, helping to heal feelings of isolation and offering opportunity for creatives of all ages in our region to find their purpose. The ACWB e-commerce Marketplace, launched in 2020, connected local artists with customers across Canada and internationally, raising the profile of the arts and artists in our region. Arts and culture deliver intrinsic value to the community, promoting and empowering inclusivity, while adding important social and economic benefits. It would not be possible for us to offer our programs and services without the operational support of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts – a heartfelt thank you to these organizations! Thank you to our volunteer board, our membership, and the community for contributing to a remarkable quality of life for everyone in our region. Liana Wheeldon Executive Director 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 04

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Programs Overview Arts Council Wood Buffalo offers a variety of programs that build the capacity of local artists to compete and thrive, enabled by collaborations between artists, arts organizations, non-profits and industry, and through municipal, provincial and federal advocacy for our region's arts community. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 07

In 2021, Arts Council focused on delivering programs in a way that showcased how artists could be main players in contributing to general well-being of a community. The Wood Buffalo region has gone through a number of tragedies in recent years, from the wildfire, to the flood and the pandemic. Arts Council's programming proved that the Arts have been a constant in helping people commemorate those tragedies, articulate them, or be a part of the recovery process. 230 Artists recruited through ACWB core programs 35 individual programs offered to artists and members of public. Over 20,500 views of ACWB programs-generated video content. SCAN HERE 08 See our detailed 2021 Programs Report here. www.artscouncilwb.ca/about-us 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Creative it's past midnight somew Connections here — Livestream Q&A Creative Connections focuses on artistic practice, creative work, and networking — by artists for artists. ACWB fosters meaningful partnerships with local and visiting artists and arts organizations to help present their vision. The Business of the Arts learning series offers local artists an opportunity to build their capacity to compete and thrive. The program provides local artists with the skills they need to flourish as entrepreneurs as well as artists, and to create a sustainable living from their artistic practice. In 2021, a Spring Session and Fall Session were offered. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 09

TELUS Documentary Following the success of 2020, “The Art of Conversation” continued into 2021 as a collaborative project for Artists and Seniors in the Wood Buffalo community by Arts Council Wood Buffalo and St. Aidan’s Society. Wood Buffalo artists of various disciplines engaged in phone conversations with Wood Buffalo’s isolated Seniors and Elders. Using those conversations as their muse, new art pieces were created. These pieces were gifted to the Seniors or Elders with whom they were made. A new addition to the 2021 iteration of the Art of Conversation was “Bridging the Age Gap” - a subprogram which provided opportunities for youth who needed guidance to interact with Seniors through the Art of Conversation program. Special thanks to local Interdisciplinary Artist, Dianne Perry, for acting as Teaching Artist for this initiative. Gaining provincial and national attention, Art of Conversation was also spotlighted in a TELUS Documentary which was released on May 19, 2021. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 33 SENIORS OR ELDERS registered in the 2021 edition of Art of Conversation. 31 ARTISTS commissioned through the 2021 edition of Art of Conversation. 10

Buffys 2021 The Buffys, also known as the Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards, is an annual program that recognizes and celebrates excellence in various areas of the arts and builds awareness of the incredible contribution artists make to Wood Buffalo. The Buffys invest in the future of our growing arts community by supporting our most exceptional artists through appreciation and employment opportunities, and by connecting artists to the wider community. The 2021 Buffys Awards Showcase was again delivered as a cinematic experience on October 16, 2021. Leaning into \"film\", our theme recognized Technicolor as the most widely used color process in the early to mid-1900s, during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The Buffys caught the attention of TELUS hired film production company Bamboo Shoots, who collaborated with Arts Council on a documentary examining the process behind the creation of Buffys 2020. Stay tuned for the release of this exciting collaboration. 104 ARTISTS $59,260.00 PAID involved in the creation out to artists for the of Buffys 2021 creation of Buffys 2021 160 UNIQUE artist-nominees ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 11

tivity The Artist in Residence program follows the traditional residency Sparking Crea model, in which non-local or local professional artists spend time creating work inspired by the environment, culture, and people of Wood Buffalo. These Resident artists engage with the community, showcase their work and spend time mentoring a select group of emerging, established and professional artists from our region. Our Fall 2020 Artist in Residence, local playwright Carla White, developed a script dramatizing the events, demographics, learnings, and community building that arose out of the 2016 Horse River Wildfire. This project culminated in February of 2021 with a private virtual reading of White's final script, as well as a Wit, Wisdom, and Writing workshop for the local public. In Fall 2021, we launched our first iteration of the Suncor Indigenous Artist Program with Heather Morigeau, an award- winning Indigenous artist from Calgary. Her residency included a series of workshops, including resin casting and pine needle basket weaving. This was the first time that the resident artist was able to teach workshops for multiple communities (Fort Chipewyan, Janvier, Anzac & Fort McMurray). 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 5 TOTAL WORKSHOPS 2 delivered by Carla White and 3 delivered by Heather Morigeau. 49 TOTAL ATTENDEES participated in workshops delivered by Carla White & Heather Morigeau 12

Sparking Creativty Arts Council commissioned videographers from M'Guphynn Media to compile Carla White's residency into a 40-minute documentary called Sparking Creativity. The documentary premiered on November 8, as part of the Artist in Residency Showcase, which featured a Q&A Session with Carla White and Fall 2021 Resident Artist Heather Morigeau. M'Guphynn also provided a paid internship opportunity to young filmmaker Devki Patel, through this project. Arts Council Wood Buffalo hosted a free virtual showcase event featuring current and past artists from the Artist in Residency and the brand-new Suncor Indigenous Artist Program. Our newest resident artist, Heather Morigeau was joined by Carla White, our Fall 2020 resident artist, for a live-stream Q&A and conversation about their experiences through the Artist in Residence program. Following the Q&A, we premiered our documentary, Sparking Creativity, featuring Carla White. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 13

Alberta Culture Days Arts Council Wood Buffalo serves as the local fiscal agent for Alberta Culture Days, which takes place during the entire month of September. Events are hosted all over the region and are free to attend. 18 Events or Programs were hosted for Alberta Culture Days, with funding support from ACWB. 100 Artists were employed for Alberta Culture Days. 1, 134 Participants joined in on Alberta Culture Days celebrations. Every year, Arts Council is approached with opportunities 14 to collaborate with other groups on projects that fall outside of the programs that are currently on offer. Arts Council prioritizes collaborating on projects that support our mandate, mission, and vision, appropriately credit artists for their work, and offer paid opportunity or mentorship. This past year, Arts Council took part in 5 major collaborations & projects. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Rural Arts Support Program The reconnection to traditional art is an essential component of the reclaiming of cultural identity and tradition. ACWB believes that the arts are fundamental to the human experience and is particularly evident in our Indigenous communities. Engagement in the rural and Indigenous communities is the heart of the Rural Art Support Program (RASP). The needs in these communities were identified in our Arts Recovery Project as being different than the needs of the urban community. The focus is reconnection to tradition and identity through art. Our Rural Arts Support Coordinator, Donna Aubichon, builds relationships within the community. Through her work, Elders connect with youth sharing knowledge. Youth have an opportunity to learn traditional craft often with an opportunity to put a modern twist on design. During COVID-19, the virtual workshops were a lifeline to many already isolated elders. Beading, mitt making, moccasins and cutting furs were just a few of the experiences supported by our coordinator. Many of our projects bring three nations, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis, together to deliver programming to residents. True community spirit! 835 Individuals participated in programs delivered by RASP. 15 unique programs were delivered in the rural communities over 2021. 15 Elders were engaged as participants in 14 of the programs. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 15

Fort Chipewyan Programming nity High School The community school runs year-round, accommodating students of all ages, empowering them to complete high school. Donna spends time weekly teaching the students traditional crafts often with a twist (ie. pop socket of their favorite sports team). 'Beading and Reading' has become a regular activity in the school. ort Chipewyan CommuF In a show respect for the children that did not make it home from residential Baby Moccasin Project schools and the survivors, Baby Moccasins - The Journey Home Project was started. Members of the community were invited create a pair of baby moccasins to memorialize a family member. These completed moccasins will be displayed in their communities across the region. After this journey, they will make the journey home, with the moccasins gifted to the survivor or family of the child they honour. Support for this project comes from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis, Athabasca Tribal Council and McMurray Metis. This project is still ongoing. The Ballantyne Project is an organization out of Vancouver that focuses on remote Indigenous communities and their struggles that result form isolation and lack of resources. Arts Council has helped them deliver art supplies and programs to the community. Connecting Fort Chipewyan with rural programming, such as the Suncor Progr ams in Chip Indigenous Artist Program resident artist through workshop delivery, was very exciting for the community. Participation in The Buffys continues to build in Fort Chipewyan and Arts Council worked with Neville Productions to film the story of traditional Jingle Dress Dance as part of an ongoing rural video series. Honouring residents and offering programming in their community is the goal of the Rural Arts Support Program. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 16

Communications & Engagement ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 17

This year, ACWB communications saw change with new staff and positions changes. Combining fresh with seasoned experience, the team focused on growing communications on a larger scale. As we prosper in a tech age, our social media saw growth in many ways. From sharing our personalities on our new TikTok account to numerous live streams to highlighting local artists, 2021 has had its fair share of challenges and fun. As live events slowly made a comeback, ACWB was able to get back into the community, in person. Our team interacted with residents to spread the word about the vibrant arts in our region as well as amplify the importance of arts for a greater quality of life. Attending the 2021 Pride YMM Festival and the Fall 2021 Tradeshow introduced our Facebook/Instagram live draws and contributed to us reaching new demographics. ACWB was also present at many arts-based events, supporting the local arts community and highlighting the events and artists through monthly newsletters and social media. Stats Among ACWB's extensive list of partnerships, the communications team spearheaded the collaboration with Pride YMM for the 2021 Pride YMM Festival. This included creating and managing artist calls for a Stage Manager, Performers, and Festival Market Vendors. Over 100% Increase in reach across all social media platforms. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 18

The ACWB Marketplace continues to grow with a rising number of vendors and customers purchasing from across Canada to the United States. With various marketing campaigns many ACWB members have made significant sales through our platform. Similarly, the Artist Directory has gained more traction as other organizations and individuals look to ACWB to connect with local artists. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 19

Arts Inc - The Spot for Creativity What is an arts incubator? A purpose-built space that can be used as a centre for artists to gather and work, a venue for performances, workshops and galleries, a community gathering space, a place to host events and festivals. As we move forward with our plans to transform the former Landmark Cinema into an arts incubator for the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region, we are proud to announce the latest milestone in the process. Arts Inc is the brand we have given to the arts incubator project. This brand will provide a tangible foundation as we continue moving forward into planning, fundraising, designing, engaging with communities, networking with stakeholders and elected officials, and transforming dreams into reality. After engaging with the public in Fall 2020, ACWB completed a feasibility study with Akron Engineering in March 2021. The findings are available on our website. Partnerships Manager, Sharon Heading, says “In essence, we have been working on this project since after the wildfire in 2016. Our next steps include finalizing our Funding Development Plan, and sharing information about how arts incubators can benefit communities and local economies.” Help make OUR dream a reality! 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 20

Arts Council Wood Buffalo Board of Directors and Staff are committed to creating a remarkable quality of life in our region and raising the profile of the arts by serving as board members of other organizations and on a number of community and Council-appointed Committees. Alberta Culture Days Community Planning Committee Friends of Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts Board of Directors FuseSocial Executive Director Mentorship Program (Mentor role) Interagency Committee Public Art Committee – Chair (Council-appointed) RMWB Culture Master Plan Implementation Advisory Committee – Chair Waterfront Development Advisory Committee – Vice Chair (Council-appointed) Wood Buffalo Community Foundation Grants Committee Arctic Winter Games Pride YMM – Chair PRISM (Suncor 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Network) – Communications Lead Regional Advisory Committee for Inclusion & Diversity – Vice Chair ACWB participates as the Northern Rural representative in the Tri-Level Meetings which bring together Federal, Provincial, and Municipal arts funders to share emerging issues, opportunities, and strategies to better serve arts, culture, and heritage organizations and artists across the province. Arts Council staff also participate in numerous roundtables and initiatives to advocate for the arts such as the RMWB Municipal Development Plan feedback sessions, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Equity Review sessions, and the Alberta Art Gallery Equity and Inclusion review. ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 21

Board & Staff BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Boutilier Chair & Director – Theatre Mike Jones Vice Chair (until October) & Director – Music Jes Croucher Treasurer (until October), Vice Chair (from October) & Director – First Nations Alexandra Durocher Treasurer (from October) & Director – Dance Cathy Steeves Secretary & Director - Community Kevin Thornton Director – Literary (from October 2020 until June 2021) Dawn Booth Director – Literary (from June 2021) Matt Salem Director – Video/Filmmaking/Photography Mitchel Bowers Director – Metis Sara Loutitt Director – Visual Arts Scott Meller Director - Business/Industry James Hine Director – Business/Industry (until September) STAFF Executive Director Programs Manager Liana Wheeldon Communications Manager (Until July 31, 2021) Luay Eljamal Communications Manager (From August 1, 2021) Christina Rolufs Engagement Coordinator (On maternity leave beginning June 16, 2021) Will Collins Partnerships Manager Hanna Fridhed Rural Arts Support Liaison Sharon Heading Indigenous Programs Coordinator Donna Aubichon Communications & Engagement Coordinator Nick Vardy Communications Intern (Fixed term Summer Intern, CAREERS Next Gen) Akshaya Lakshmi Hunter Pratt ARTS COUNCIL WOOD BUFFALO • WWW.ARTSCOUNCILWB.CA 23

Thank You Operational support provided by: 2021 ANNUAL REPORT 22