Creative Futures Speaker Series
The Creative Futures speaker series is dedicated to the cultural, social and economic benefits of the arts! We'll be learning from and celebrating the incredible work of artists, curators, educators, coordinators and more from across the North and Canada.
Speaking events and bonus opportunities take place monthly starting in September 2026.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
September 2026 - Dawson City Creativity
We’re hosting two incredible Dawson City-based artists and administrators, Aubyn O’Grady and Jackie Olson, in discussing their creative practices, as well as the transition of Dawson City into an arts and culture hub in the Yukon where the Yukon School of Visual Arts (YSOVA) makes its home within the Traditional Territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. September 24, 6:30-8 pm at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre auditorium. More information can be found here.
We’re also hosting riff sessions for local artists and arts organizations to talk through pieces, projects, programs, grants, residencies or anything else with Aubyn and Jackie.
October 2026 - Art in the City of Yellowknife
We hosted an election forum for prospective Yellowknife Mayor and City Councilors to discuss art in Yellowknife. October 15, 6:30-8 pm (doors at 6 pm) at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Auditorium. More information can be found here.
November 2026 - Curating Qillaniq
Qillaniq is an Inuktitut word describing how light from the sun or the moon shimmers brightly when reflecting on water. It is also the name of the world’s largest-ever Indigenous circumpolar art exhibition, co-curated by an all-Indigenous team and which was on display at the National Gallery of Canada this summer. It is a landmark celebration of the creativity and skill of Indigenous circumpolar artists, a celebration of love and community, and a demonstration of the incredible breadth of artists working in the region.
Join Reneltta Arluk and Jocelyn Piirainen in conversation to learn about the exhibition Saturday, November 21, 2:30-4:00pm at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre auditorium.
We’re also hosting a riff session in Yellowknife for local artists and arts organizations or anyone who’s interested to meet Reneltta and Jocelyn, learn about their work at the National Gallery of Canada, and share about your arts practice. RSVP or just drop by November 22, 11:00am to 3:00pm at Birchwood.
Image: Joel Isaak, Honoring the Ordinary, 2026. Sand, wood, cotton muslin fabric, 365.8 × 457.2 × 7.6 cm. Courtesy the artist. Installation view at the exhibition Qillaniq, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 12 June – 20 September 2026. © Joel Isaak. Photo: NGC