grunt gallery is excited to present NDN ACT II, a new workshop series to support Indigenous emerging artists in the production of new performance works.

This project draws inspiration from the 2002 conference INDIANacts: Aboriginal Performance Art, which was produced by grunt gallery and TRIBE. Originally curated by Lori Blondeau, Dana Claxton, Glenn Alteen and coordinated by Daina Warren, the conference was a continuation of contemporary Aboriginal art events that were happening across the country since 1992. INDIANacts offered a chance to discuss Indigenous Performance Art through presentations, performances, and group gatherings. Additionally, Dana Claxton and Tania Willard curated a website to act as an archive of both the conference and other performance works from Indigenous artists who have worked with grunt since. View this archive at https://indianacts.gruntarchives.org/.

NDN ACT II, curated by Vance Wright, is a dynamic workshop program aiming to connect emerging Indigenous artists with curatorial support, critical texts, and an array of practicing performance artists, curators and academics, to support in the production of a responsive new performance work. NDN ACT II will draw inspiration from INDIANacts archives, as well as curatorial research and facilitators to structure workshops each week. At the end of this workshop series, participants will have the opportunity to present their newly developed work in the summer of 2025 at grunt.

This workshop is focused on serving Indigenous emerging artists who are located in the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, colonially known as the greater Metro Vancouver Area.

Participants will meet in person for five workshops on Sundays at grunt gallery from 11 AM – 3 PM.

The workshop dates are May 18th, 25th, June 1st, 8th, and 15th, 2025. 

After the workshop sessions end, the gallery space will be available for scheduled rehearsals from June 23rd until July 31st, and participants will have the opportunity to meet two separate times for guidance or support, as needed. 

Presentation of the works will be from July 28th until August 12th, 2025. 

We are excited to offer an Artist Fee of $1500 for participation in the workshop series and presentation of work. 

We are also able to offer an additional $400 to participants who commit to engage in accessibility training specific to performance art, and the co-creation of access supports such as closed captioning documentation, creating relaxed performance or described performance offerings, or creating tactile resources. This work will be done alongside grunt’s Accessibility and Exhibitions Manager and/or other access professionals.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on April 10th, 2025.

Apply by filling out the Google Form linked here. If this form is not accessible for you, please email us at access@grunt.ca so that we can help you with your application.

FAQ

What do you mean when you say “Indigenous”?

We recognize that the term Indigenous has multiple and expansive meanings– Black, Palestinian, and other members of diasporic communities can all be found under the term Indigenous. For the purpose of this workshop series, grunt uses the term Indigenous to mean anyone that is indigenous to what is colonially known as Canada, as much of the workshop will be referring to the colonial legislative document “The Indian Act”. Applicants do not need to be registered under the Indian Act to participate.

What do we consider an Emerging, Mid-Career, or Established Artist?

We consider any artist who has had less than two solo shows as an Emerging Artist. 

We define a Mid-Career Artist as any artist who has had more than two solo shows, has a consistent body of work, and recognition in their community.

We define an Established Artist as someone who has had numerous solo shows, has a large body of work, and is recognized both inside and outside their community.

Does Performance Art include things like dance or music?

For the purpose of this application, we consider dance and music to be possible elements in Performance Art, but are not the sole focus of the work (i.e. Performing Arts). We are interested in working with artists who use the body as both the object and subject of an artwork, instead of viewing it as a tool to create a theatrical or musical performance, such as dance, music, theatre, etc. If you are still unsure of what this means, you are doubly encouraged to apply to the workshop!

Is the presentation of work considered an exhibition?

We do not consider the presentation of the work generated in the workshop as a formal exhibition as it will not be installed in grunt’s main gallery space, nor will it be on view for the same duration as an exhibition in our programming schedule.

What are the gallery’s accessibility details?

General access information is available in our website’s footer on every page, but here is a video walkthrough of grunt’s space which includes a visual description. The staff at grunt gallery are all sighted, mostly hearing and verbal individuals. Most of our staff and contractors are practicing artists and our centre is artist-run. We have two hard of hearing staff members, one of whom uses ASL as an additional language and tends towards non-verbal communication in writing whenever possible.

For full access details, to discuss needs and inclusion, or for help with your application please email access@grunt.ca.