The Conseil des arts de Montréal is pleased to announce the applicants and internship projects selected for the second edition of CultivART, a program created for Indigenous artists and cultural workers living in Montreal who want to gain hands-on work experience at a cultural organization.
The paid 650-hour internships will offer program interns a real-life work experience in culture and the arts and a chance to contribute to the host organizations’ development. CultivART also provides Indigenous mentors with paid opportunities to share their expertise and pass on their knowledge.
The program is an initiative of the Conseil’s Indigenous Arts Committee and seeks to foster a new generation of Indigenous cultural workers, contribute to the advancement of Indigenous arts, promote fruitful two-way exchanges and intersectional dialogue on Indigenous realities, provide the Indigenous and non-Indigenous arts and culture communities with a Native perspective, and build a professional support system connecting mentors and emerging workers.
The internships receive $80,000 in funding from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. The following four projects were selected for the program’s 2021 edition from the 28 applications received.
- The Avataq Cultural Institute will host intern Sarah Ainalik along with mentor Elisapie Isaac. Sarah Ainalik is a young musician hailing from Ivujivik and will be asked to coordinate various projects, with a special focus on funding activities and new program development. These initiatives will support the artistic community in Nunavik’s14 villages and other regions in southern Québec.
- Productions Onishka will host intern Simon Riverin, accompanied by mentor Pascal Sioui. Simon Riverin will have an opportunity to build on his knowledge and experience by working on a production blending sound, lighting and video. He will learn to direct staging operations, master production jargon and techniques and use production software.
- Ondinnok Productions will host intern Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo, who will be accompanied by mentor Sonia Robertson. Backed by the complementary expertise of communications coordinator Anaïs Gachet and Innu artist Sonia Robertson, Kijâtai-Alexandra Veillette-Cheezo will be able to develop solid communications skills while taking account of the specifics of the arts milieu and the wide range of issues involving Indigenous arts and identities.
- Geordie Theatre will host intern Jimmy Blais and mentor Reneltta Arluk. With support from artistic director and general manager Mike Payette and the Geordie team, Jimmy Blais will help plan and produce a season of youth theatre. Through this experience, the intern will gain a better understanding of the artistic director’s role at every stage of the creation and production process and of the Canadian theatre scene as a whole.
The Conseil des arts de Montréal would like to offer its sincere congratulations to all participating interns, mentors and organizations.
