Purpose of the Hub
The ASCN: Calgary Hub operates in partnership with Calgary Arts Development, Trico Changemakers Studio, and the International Centre of Art for Social Change. The primary mission of the Calgary Hub is to cultivate, promote, and nurture the field of art for social change and community-engaged arts in Calgary, harnessing its potential as a tool for driving social transformation.
We connect a dynamic community of Mohkínstsis (Calgary) art for social change practitioners, community leaders, non-profit organizations, art-based groups, and individuals committed to social transformation using art-based practices. We come together to share stories, resources, and initiatives and build relationships to strengthen the Art for Social Change field. Together, we inspire social innovation through the power of art.
How We Came to Be
In the Fall of 2021, the Calgary Hub embarked on a journey to uncover the landscape of Art for Social Change (ASC) in Mohkínstsis/Calgary through an outreach and mapping project. Through this project, we wanted to find the practitioners Mohkínstsis who are using arts to inspire and catalyze social change. We explored who is doing the work, how the work is done, and what conditions enable or inhibit Art for Social Change in Calgary. Over three months, we engaged with over 190 artists, art administrators, and representatives from various organizations and communities. Our findings showed that the question of resources continues to be present for most practitioners, and more interesting was the apparent need for connection within the field. More often than not, practitioners highlighted the challenges of connecting with colleagues and sharing their artistic endeavours. This has since become the Calgary Hub's first objective: connecting and engaging ASC practitioners in Mohkínstsis.
Our Guiding Collective
Stacey Perlin
Wunmi Idowu
Cesar Cala
Art for Social Change Network (ASCN)
The Art for Social Change Network (ASCN) is a community-engaged arts network within Canada. Guided by community-engaged arts organizations serving as regional hubs, ASCN has been created to establish connections and provide robust support to a multitude of arts for social change (ASC) organizations and independent artists spanning across the vast canvas of Canada.
The ASC sector, both within Canada and across the globe, has made its mark by dedicating itself to serving diverse communities through innovative art creation, fostering unconventional dialogues, and nurturing meaningful partnerships with local non-arts organizations. To delve deeper into the transformative mission of ASCN, please explore further here.
Upcoming Events
Subscribe to: Art for Social Change Network (ASCN) to receive a monthly e-newsletter sharing the latest updates on ASCN Mohnkistists and upcoming Calgary Hub events and workshops.
Add yourself or your organization to the ongoing Art for Social Change (ASC) Roster to share what you are working on. This is part of our ongoing goal to connect the ASC Community in Calgary.
ARTIST AS CHANGEMAKER CARD DECK
ARTISTS ARE THE CHANGEMAKERS OF OUR TIMES.
They are able to influence mental models, build empathy, and support group processes through their artistic practice.
We built this deck as an open and adaptable tool for artists and groups who are doing changemaking work together. Use it to build common ground, unpack ideas, get inspired, understand impact, and dream big.