Empowering Indigenous Arts: The Journey of The Aunte’s Indigenous Residency
The Aunte Indigenous Residency supports artists and writers whose practices embody contemporary and traditional forms of artistic expression located in Interior BC. We are committed to strengthening the Indigenous art sector by supporting artists in capacity building and expanding their skills and knowledge within their practices to build strong authenticity, integrity and community.
The Aunte is a not-for-profit charitable organization with oversight from an Indigenous Board of Directors and Advisory Committee. Our leadership are themselves Indigenous artists, entrepreneurs and land-based practitioners. Over the following year, we will be appointing the Advisory Committee.
We are physically located in interior British Columbia, on unceded Sinixt, Ktunaxa, Secwèpemc and Syilx territories.
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Building a Thriving Community and Sector
We hope that what we are building will contribute towards larger, much-needed sector development for Indigenous arts administration and opportunities. We feel that spaces created with our unique needs in mind will foster an environment for the continued production and dissemination of Indigenous art led by us.
Through a variety of initiatives such as workshops, training programs, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative projects, we provide artists with the resources and support they need to develop their craft and enhance their professional skills. Whether it's mastering traditional techniques, exploring new mediums, or honing entrepreneurial skills, we strive to empower artists to reach their fullest potential. Furthermore, we believe in the importance of fostering a sense of community and collaboration among Indigenous artists. By creating spaces for artists to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another, we cultivate a supportive ecosystem where collective knowledge and creativity can flourish.
Our residencies will focus on:
Serving members of the communities whose traditional lands we are located on.
Encouraging collaboration - providing a space for multiple artists to create together.
Mentorship - inviting established artists to mentor other up-and-coming artists from their home communities; with a focus on you and the north.
Families - Invite artists to attend the residency with their families, as to not isolate artists that have parental responsibilities.
Serving under-represented artists such as 2SLGBTQI+ artists.
Empowering Artists, Building Community
Central to our ethos is the belief that by empowering artists and providing them with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive, we can build a more vibrant and resilient Indigenous sector. Through capacity-building initiatives, skill development workshops, and mentorship programs, we aim to equip artists with the tools and knowledge they need to elevate their practices and amplify their voices.
Honouring Tradition, Embracing Innovation
By nurturing talent and fostering creativity, we aim to empower Indigenous artists to reclaim and reimagine their cultural traditions in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them while cultivating a sense of belonging, pride, and cultural continuity within Indigenous communities while also contributing to broader dialogue of cultural preservation and revitalization.
Creating Opportunities
In addition to fostering artistic excellence and cultural revitalization, The Aunte is dedicated to creating economic opportunities for Indigenous artists and communities. By connecting artists with culturally relevant opportunities, markets, and audiences, we aim to grow economic capacity and empower communities to thrive on their own terms. The Aunte is committed to nurturing not only artistic brilliance and cultural resurgence but also to spearheading economic opportunities for Indigenous artists and communities. By facilitating access, we strive to cultivate sustainable growth and enable communities to flourish autonomously, in alignment with their unique values and aspirations.
Chi Miigwech To Our Generous Funders!
For our pilot 2024/2025 season, The Aunte would like to thank our funders including:
COPPER LEGACY
Indigenous Empowerment Society
And those of you who gave privately.
A Note on Funding:
The Aunte, like many non-profits, pieces together funding from many sources to support our residencies. For transparency, some of our funding is from grants directly, some are funded by the artists and/or institutions supporting those artists and some is funded by partnerships with communities. This allows us to remain flexible, diversify income sources and focus on supporting as many artists as possible.
The Aunte is a charitable organization and accepts donations. Please contact us directly at info@theaunte.com to donate and we can issue a tax receipt.
