International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC)

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In 2007, Judith Marcuse Projects (JMP) created the International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC). Though initially a collaboration with Simon Fraser University (2008-2020), ICASC is now exclusively an initiative of JMP. JMP/ICASC has led and completed a six-year (2013-2019) national research study of community-engaged art (CEA)/art for social change (ASC), involving six universities and 50 researchers; created extensive film, video, and text resources, most of them available on this large website which is a major global resource for the sector. Other activities include creation and delivery of post-secondary undergraduate courses and a two-year graduate program in art for social change, plus summer institutes, webinars, and guest lectures/dialogues.

ICASC’s goal is to support CEA/ASC communities mainly in Canada, but also around the world. Artists, community-engaged arts practitioners and scholars, both in Canada and beyond, express strongly-felt needs for focused training, national and international networking, professional development, and for research and archival work. ICASC works to support discipline-wide collaboration and knowledge-building and has three main areas of operation:

-- Art for Social Change professional development and public outreach: workshops, networking sessions, conferences, lectures and dialogues, including knowledge-exchange for people already working in the field and those interested in it.

-- Sharing, promoting and disseminating community-engaged ASC work and resources via our online community to advance social change agendas and accessibility.

-- Building the capacity and strength of CEA/ASC by fostering a national network of artist practitioners and organizations across Canada, as well as advocacy work to create awareness and make necessary changes in policy among all levels of governments, funders, and other change making organizations.

Our latest initiative is the FUTURES/forward national mentorship program that pairs early to mid-career community-engaged artists with senior artists from the field for six months, usually in collaboration with non-arts change organizations (e.g. one of the three mentee/mentor cohorts partnered exclusively with environmental organizations across the country). As of March 2020, due to COVID-19, this work has shifted mostly to online activities. All artists are compensated for their work together. As of April 2021, 41 artists have participated in this program.
Metro Vancouver, BC
Area served by organization: Across Canada
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Language(s): English
Communities served: Adults, Children, People with disabilities, Youth, Seniors
Price range of programming: Free
Venue accessibility: Not applicable
Organization type: Non-profit, Program(s), Resource, Other

This organization offers online programming
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  • Multidisciplinary
  • Community-engaged arts education/support/training/network

Featured Project

FUTURES/forward: A National Community-Engaged Arts Mentorship Program

FUTURES/forward is calling for community-engaged artists to apply now!

FUTURES/forward is a national mentorship program designed to connect early-to-mid career community-engaged artists with seasoned community-engaged artist practitioners, foster peer to peer exchange with others doing change work with diverse communities, and bridge the urban/rural divide.

The FUTURES/forward program embeds community-engaged artists within organizations addressing the pressing environmental issues of our times. These artists (mentored by senior artist practitioners) might work to enrich existing programs; develop new approaches to include arts-infused initiatives; offer innovative communications strategies, provide inclusive and interactive educational programs; or enrich public engagement and advocacy.

Some quick facts:

  • In this third intake of the program, the duration of each arrangement will be up to six months long, commencing in September 2020.
  • Work in performance (dance, theatre, music), visual, literary and digital art forms are all welcome.
  • In each partnership, the “hosting” environmental organization, mentor, and mentee create their own work plan to be approved by ICASC.
  • Partnering environmental organizations may provide logistical assistance (e.g. space for workshops, outreach information, community networking assistance).
  • Both the mentor and mentee receive compensation that will vary according to the length and content of their work plan.
  • Maximum compensation, dependant on the length and content of each partnership, is $5000 per mentee and $2000 per mentor.
  • The ICASC team provides contracts and supports the processes of each arrangement.
  • A final report is required from all participants.
  • Participants will have the opportunity to meet regularly online. As the first year of the program wraps up in late 2020, all participants will be expected to attend a national gathering to share our experiences and learning. As the COVID-19 situation persists, this gathering is very likely to take place online.

Apply to be a mentee or mentor now! Deadline is August 21, 2020.
For more details on the program and application process, please go to https://icasc.ca/futures-forward-call-for-applications/

FUTURES/forward is hosted by the International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC), the programming arm of Judith Marcuse Projects (JMP). JMP, a pioneer in the field of community-engaged art for social change (ASC), is celebrating a 40-years as an arts organization working in Canada and abroad.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support FUTURES/forward receives from the McConnell Foundation.

 

Profile last updated: Jun 1 2022

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