Artist As Changemaker

AN INITIATIVE TO EXPEDITE THE CAPACITY OF SOCIALLY ENGAGED ARTISTS TO

CREATE MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CHANGE.

As a society, the challenges we face are complex and do not have easy solutions.

Artists have been playing powerful roles in helping us understand and make sense of complexity.

About the AAC Project

A partnership between The Trico Changemakers Studio and Calgary Arts Development, the Artist as Changemaker (AAC) project started in 2018 as an initiative to expedite the capacity of socially engaged artists to create meaningful social change.

Over the past three years, a cohort of local artists have developed a residency program to employ their artistic mindset and systems-change knowledge to discover unique and creative ways to address complex social challenges.

Why Artists?

Because artists have always been paving the way for change.

Artists have the capacity to mobilize people and catalyze action. They expose the underlying conditions that hold problems in place. They inspire new connections and offer people new possibilities for engaging with a challenge.

Combining the artistic process with the tools of social innovation can help socially engaged artists identify leverage points to amplify change. Partnerships with organizations on the front lines of social problems serve as fertile ground for artists to demonstrate these abilities

AAC Final Showcase

May 3 & 4

Alexandra Centre Society
Calgary, AB

Over the past two years, our Artist as Changemaker Residents and Fellows have been working on projects that employ their artistic mindset and systems-change knowledge to discover unique and creative ways to address complex social challenges.

Come together with us as a community to celebrate their remarkable work and discover more about their inspiring projects.

Learn More

2022-24 Residency Cohort

Artist Cohort

Ado Nkemka

Partner: The Alcove Centre for the Arts
How might we reduce the barriers to accessing safe, collaborative learning environments and showcase opportunities in the arts?
Apiow Akawi

Partner: Centre for Newcomers
How might we keep at-risk youth engaged in pro-social activities to divert them from future run-ins with the law, gang activity, trouble at home?
Louie Fermor

Partner: Rainbow Elders
How might we create visions of queer futures in a way that demonstrates intergenerational resilience through optimism?
MelVee X

Partner: Action Dignity
How might we transform the mental wellness of BIPOC communities through arts and culture in healing and constructive ways?
Shumaila Hemani

Partner: AB Ecotrust
How might we fight the stigma of energy poverty amongst individuals living on a low income in Alberta?
Stephanie Banszky

Partner: Village Square Community Hub.
How might we weave a deeper connection with ourselves, each other and the environment?
Tito Gomez

Partner: Deaf & Hear Alberta
How might we understand the barriers of communication facing the deaf and hearing community?
This Could Be You!

To learn more about joining AAC, please contact us!