East of There: Saint John 2013 – Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation

East of There

East of There: Saint John 2013

– a collaborative bilingual conference held by the Atlantic Provinces Art Gallery Association (APAGA), the Atlantic region artist-run centres Association(AARCA) and the nationally based Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference /Conference des collectives et des centres d’artistes autogéres (ARCCC-CCCAA) and the Association des groups en arts visuels francophones (AGAVF) . Representatives from more than 30 public galleries, artist run centres and cultural centres from all four Atlantic provinces met to exchange information and to discuss common concerns.

SHMf was proud to partner with Atlantic Canadian leaders to foster a collaborative Atlantic spirit . It was our particular pleasure to host the 2013 Strathbutler Gala in conjunction with this conference to celebrate the artistic excellence of the 2013 recipient, Susan Vida Judah

In the words of APAGA president Robin Metcalfe “East of There / À l’Est de Là represents a rare confluence of visual arts organisations in the Atlantic region, bringing together an unprecedented constellation of key players in the sector to articulate and examine their experiences of regionality. The gathering expands that conversation to include representatives from all four provinces, as well as from Québec, Ontario, Manitoba and points west, and from a diversity of visual arts institutions, including artist-run centres, community arts centres, university and municipal galleries, and provincial and national institutions. Proceedings will benefit from simultaneous interpretation in both official languages, supported by the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, APAGA, ARCA and the Association des groupes en arts visuels francophones (AGAFV)”

Highlights of the Conference:

AACCC-CCCAA Forum on Independent Publishing- Innovative approaches to the production and dissemination of art writing

Jack Weldon Humphrey Forum: Issues of Regionalism in Canadian Art

New Brunswick Museum exhibition “ Jack Weldon Humphrey” with a presentation by curator Peter Laroque

The Strathbutler Gala

The Change Agenda of Canada Council – Sylvie Gilbert

Annual Atlantic Galleries Publication Exchange

E-Artext Workshop by Corina MacDonald, project manager of this digital repository for contemporary Canadian art publications

Updates on Heritage Canada funding and policy issues at the federal level by John McAvity of the Canadian Museums Association