The KAC Newsletter | February Issue 1

Welcome to the New KAC Newsletter, Mayor's Arts Award Winners Announced, & The KAC Community Whiteboard Exhibit!

February 01, 2025

KAC NEWS & UPDATES

Welcome to the New KAC Newsletter!

ArtsBuzz gets a makeover

You may know us as ArtsBuzz, but we’re excited to unveil our freshly rebranded and redesigned KAC Newsletter!

Here’s what’s included:

  • A Sleek Dark Mode Design: Perfect for reading on any device, our new dark mode layout is stylish and easy on the eyes. Prefer light mode? No problem – just click the “Read Online” button in the top-right corner to switch!

  • Upgraded for Growth: Improved newsletter software to accommodate our growing community (we’ve outgrown our old system – thank you for subscribing!)

  • Essential Info for Artists and Arts Workers: From events to grants, opportunities, and sector news, everything you need is right here.

This makeover is just the beginning! We hope you enjoy the new look and feel of the KAC Newsletter. Let us know what you think - we’d love your feedback! Replying to this newsletter in your email directly messages our team!

The 2024 Mayor’s Arts Awards Recipients

Honouring Excellence in Arts and Culture

The 2024 Mayor’s Arts Awards took place on January 27th, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations that enrich Katarokwi/Kingston's cultural landscape. We’re thrilled to spotlight this year’s recipients, whose creativity, passion, and dedication inspire our community.

Creator Award:
Tyffanie Morgan

For over two decades, Tyffanie has worked tirelessly to protect and uplift the art form of drag in Katarokwi/Kingston, and through her ingenuity and talent, has helped cultivate a thriving drag scene and empower a new generation of local artists. As Canada’s first podcasting drag queen and an activist who collaborates with local arts organizations, Tyffanie’s impact resonates far and wide.

Creator Award:
W.C. Creatives

W.C. Creatives is a duo formed by multidisciplinary Cree artists Jaylene Cardinal and Dakota Ward. While they are best known for their striking visual art, jewelry, crafts and fashion, their artwork can be found across Katarokwi/Kingston in a variety of forms and contexts. Through their ever-expanding creative practice, Jaylene and Dakota strive to cultivate community, share their talents, and reimagine traditions. 

Creator Award:
Hill Werth

Hill Werth is an internationally recognized trans non-binary mixed media artist and activist. A champion for equity and inclusion in Katarokwi/Kingston, Hill continually strives to create safe spaces for learning, creativity, and community building. Since arriving in Katarokwi/Kingston in 2021, Hill has established themselves as a vital advocate for creativity and community.

Arts Champion Award:
Sistema Kingston

Sistema Kingston provides accessible, focused programming for children and youth that support positive social development through the pursuit of musical excellence. Sistema Kingston was launched in 2015 and has since supported over 200 students in developing their musical talents, creating access to high-quality musical education and cultivating a new generation of musicians and creators.

UNIT 115

Date: 7 February - 7 March
Location: Unit 115, 370 King St. W. Kingston, ON. | Virtually on Canva

Get ready for an exciting new interactive exhibit from the Kingston Arts Council! The Digital Community Whiteboard (DCW) invites you to be part of something truly unique – a collaborative art experience where you don’t just view the creativity; you contribute to it. This live, participatory project, hosted on Canva, brings Kingstonians together to create, share, and connect in real time.

Projected live in the gallery, the DCW transforms into an ever-evolving tapestry shaped by our community’s voices and imaginations. Whether you’re adding to the Community Canvas with drawings, contributing stories to the Writers’ Corner, or sharing ideas on the Engagement Board, there’s a space for everyone to get involved.

Participate from home by adding directly to the whiteboard or stop by the gallery to watch the project unfold and contribute on-site. The DCW is more than an exhibit – it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and connection. Join us this February and help shape this one-of-a-kind collaborative experience!

Family Day

Join us on February 17th for Family Day to interact with the exhibit in person! Stop by Unit 115 to see the DCW come to life, add your own creative touch, and experience the magic of real-time collaboration. Whether you're drawing, writing, or sharing ideas, this is your chance to be part of Kingston’s growing artistic conversation.

EVENTS

ReelOut
Date: 30 January - 8 February, 2025

This year ReelOut is excited to offer audiences 18 incredible programs over 10 days in Kingston, ON Canada.

While conditions look gloomy (weather and politics alike), ReelOut is showcasing RAYS OF LIGHT from over 45 filmmakers, media artists, game designers and performing artists from 14 different countries. They hope this festival will offer a safe and welcoming atmosphere not just for the 2SLGBT community but also all their movie loving allies who believe in the importance of representation, inclusion and empowering marginalized voices.

ReelOut hopes you bask in the light.

Union Gallery
Date: 8 February, 2025

Since 1995, Union Gallery has featured the work of student and professional artists alike in an exhibition and lottery-style draw. Last year, they introduced a new option for artists to keep a percentage of their artwork’s revenue while contributing to UG’s fundraising.

Artwork values are set by the artists at either $100 or $200. Ticket holders will select from the pool of artworks corresponding to the value of their draw ticket(s).

With their return to an in-person event, they’re trying something a little different this year. Their art draw will be split in two with a party in the middle!

There are always plenty of arts events happening in Kingston and the surrounding area. Check out our Arts Events Calendar to view our full list of upcoming events!

JOBS

Facilities Booking & Events Coordinator (The City of Kingston)
Renumeration: $28.95 - $35.63/Hour
Deadline: 3 February, 2025

Assistant Supervisor, Special Events (The City of Kingston)
Renumeration: $31.49 - $39.25/Hour
Deadline: 3 February, 2025

Head of Props (Thousand Island Playhouse)
Renumeration: $950/week + 4% vacation pay
Deadline: Until Filled

Assistant Stage Carpenter (Thousand Island Playhouse)
Renumeration: $925/ Week + 4% vacation pay
Deadline: Until Filled

OPPORTUNITIES

APPLICATION:
Directors Lab North 2025 Cohort (Directors Lab North)
Deadline: 18 February, 2025

SUBMISSION:
Annual Call for Submissions 2025 (Modern Fuel)
Deadline: 1 March, 2025

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Doc Factory (Kingston Canadian Film Festival)
Deadline: 16 March, 2025

GRANTS

Below is a snapshot of upcoming grant deadlines. To view our more comprehensive and fully navigable database of grant opportunities at the local, provincial, and national level, please visit the KAC Grants Board !

Theatre Projects (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: February 6 and August 6, 2025 1 P.M. ET

Dance Organizations: Operating (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: February 13, 2025, 1 P.M. ET

Ontario Arts Presenters Projects (Ontario Arts Council)
Deadline: February 13, 2025, 1 P.M. ET

SUPPORT THE KAC

Love the arts? So do we!

When you support the Kingston Arts Council, you’re helping empower an arts sector that drives innovation, fuels the local economy, and enriches the lives of everyone in Katarokwi/Kingston.

Your donation – whether one-time, monthly, or annual – enables us to deliver impactful programs and services that support the artists and creatives shaping our cultural industry.

As a registered charity, we’ll provide a charitable tax receipt for your contribution. Join us in building a thriving, sustainable arts sector.

THE KINGSTON ARTS COUNCIL IS PROUDLY FUNDED BY