In anticipation of the RBC Newcomer Arts Award deadline (September 30, 2020) this interactive virtual workshop facilitated by curator and educator Ashley McKenzie-Barnes will help newcomer artists who are interested in applying to the RBC Newcomer Arts Award further develop elements of their application, including offering support writing and editing their Artist Statement, Artist Bios & Preparing Your Portfolio

This workshop includes:

2 templates for you to complete ahead of the workshop and keep for future use;
A live online event where you can share your updated Artist Statements, Artist Bios & Preparing Your Portfolio with a small group of supportive artists like yourself, and give and receive feedback;
Q & A session with Ashley about her advice for artists who need a boost standing out; and
Q & A session with Neighbourhood Arts Network about the Award

ASL interpretation will be provided.

If you have other accessibility needs please email eva@torontoarts.org by September 10.

About the facilitator Ashley McKenzie-Barnes:

Ashley is a modern-day renaissance woman. She has over 16 years of integrated experience in creative direction, design, curating, cultural programming, teaching and visual art. She has worked in the media/broadcasting, entertainment, publishing, corporate, and non-profit sectors. Most recently, she was one of the 2019 curators for Nuit Blanche Toronto. Her work has included programmed exhibitions, creative collaborations and installations for companies such as Samsung, Indigo, Scotiabank, by Ministry, Aurora Cannabis, Bell Media, Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC), and Manifesto Festival of Art and Culture.

She is responsible for introducing Toronto to internationally acclaimed artists and art projects like Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp (NYC), JR’s Inside Out Project(PAR), Shani Crowe (CHI), Mr. Cartoon (LA), Ernie Panicciolio (NYC),Vince Fraser (UK) and Dubelyoo (ATL) in a variety of DIY spaces and traditional galleries to major Canadian institutions such as the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), The City of Toronto, and Harbourfront Centre.

As a visual artist, Ashley’s own work has been featured inside establishments such as the Royal Ontario Museum, CBC and Toronto City Hall. She’s a part time Academic Professor in the Visual and Digital Arts program at Humber College and has directed the Creative Arts Academy for The Remix Project. She’s been a featured speaker, moderator and guest facilitator across many forums for #MoveTheDial, OCAD, Ontario Arts Council, TDSB, Ontario Association of Art Galleries, FreshBooks, U of T, ArtReach, Nia Centre, Artscape and others. Her designs skills were most recently acquired by Lauryn Hill for her fashion collection celebrating 20 years of the Mis-education of Lauryn Hill.

Award Portfolio Development Workshop for Newcomer Artists