Community Curators Circle

The Community Curators Circle invites artists and arts enthusiasts into the artistic programming decision-making at HFTco

HFTco is now accepting applications for membership in the 2022/23 Community Curators Circle!

HFTco Community Curators Circle

Who is the CCC?

The CCC invites artists and arts enthusiasts from the wider community into the artistic programming decision-making process at the Hamilton Festival Theatre Company, supporting and showing work that better reflects the diversity of our region and the audiences we serve. The CCC consists of five (5) paid members working with Hamilton Festival Theatre Company staff. People working with disabilities (visible and/or invisible, physical and/or mental), those who are People of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour), LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Androgynous, Asexual), and members of other groups experiencing barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources will be given priority. Outreach and selection of membership in the CCC is done in collaboration with an experienced Equity, Diversity & Inclusion consultant.

What does the CCC do?

Over a year-long term, the CCC were tasked with seeking out, curating, and programming the six (6) performing arts companies/artists from Hamilton and surrounding areas included in the Fringe On The Streets series presented during the Hamilton Fringe Festival. From crafting the Call for Proposals to final programming decisions, the entire curation process has been led by the members of the CCC.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the next CCC or are interested in additional information, please email Executive Director christopher@hftco.ca or call at 289-698-2234

Thanks to support from our partners

HFTco Community Curators Circle

CALL FOR MEMBERS

The Hamilton Festival Theatre Company is looking for five (5) performing arts makers (dance, theatre, music, performance art, spoken word, etc.) and/or supporters to join the 2022-23 term of the Community Curators Circle (CCC).

Who is the CCC?

The CCC invites artists and arts enthusiasts from the wider community into the artistic programming decision-making process at the Hamilton Festival Theatre Company, supporting and showing work that better reflects the diversity of our region and the audiences we serve. The CCC will consist of five (5) paid members working with Hamilton Festival Theatre Company staff. People working with disabilities (visible and/or invisible, physical and/or mental), those who are People of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour), LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Androgynous, Asexual), and members of other groups experiencing barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources will be given priority. Outreach and selection of membership in the CCC will be done in collaboration with an experienced Equity, Diversity & Inclusion consultant.

We are seeking:

Paid or unpaid experience in the arts, especially the performing arts (ex: creators, makers, artists, arts administrators, etc.)
Paid or unpaid experience in arts curation or organizing gatherings (ex: putting bands together for a show, choosing photos for an exhibit, organizing a flash mob, creating a DJ setlist, etc.)
A desire to build and engage with your community.
Positive energy and an eagerness to collaborate with all members of the CCC.

What does the CCC do?

Over a year-long term, the CCC will seek out, curate, and program a series of five (5) performing arts companies/artists from Hamilton and surrounding areas to be included in the Fringe All-Access series presented on the Outdoor Stage during the Hamilton Fringe and one (1) performing arts company/artist to develop and present work at the bi-annual community embedded Frost Bites festival occurring in 2024/5. The CCC will also plan the annual Hamilton Festival Theatre Company “Artist Connection” gathering, a one-day community-wide knowledge-sharing event facilitated by an industry professional chosen in consultation with CCC. From crafting the Call for Proposals to final programming decisions, the entire curation process is led by the members of the CCC.

Meetings are not more than 2 hours in length and occur once or twice a month. Members receive $30/hr for their time and work. ASL interpretation is available for Deaf and hard-of-hearing members. Meetings will be held virtually and/or in person at the Hamilton Fringe offices at 41 King William Street (space is partially wheelchair accessible).

Are you interested in being a voice at the table? Applying is easy. Fill out the application form here, or copy and paste this link into your browser: bit.ly/CCCIRCLE2023. Applications close on November 16, 2022 at 11:59PM. If you require additional application assistance or extensions, please email Hamilton Fringe Festival Director christopher@hftco.ca or call at 289-698-2234.

2023/2024 Community Curator Circle

Carly Anna Billings

Carly Anna Billings (she/her) is a queer fat femme Italian-Canadian and Ojibwe actor, singer, comedian, theatre-maker, podcaster and storyteller, She’s grateful to make/share in this community on the traditional lands of her people the Mississaugas of the Credit. A co-founder of the bi-city theatre company Afterlife Theatre (Toronto and Hamilton) she is interested in creating/fostering work speaking to human-ness, community and how we arrive at the present through our inheritance of the past. Recently, her critically-acclaimed solo show Meat(less) Loaf premiered at the 2022 Hamilton Fringe.

Meagan Byrne

Meagan Byrne is an Apihtawikosisân (Fed: Métis Nation of Ontario) set designer, game designer, writer, and philosopher. Born and raised in Hamilton, Meagan has always been involved in the arts here in one way or another. Her deep love of the Hamilton natural landscape, theatre and music scene has embedded itself into her larger body of design work. She is the founder of Achimostawinan Games (AchimoGames), an Indigenous-owned and staffed indie game studio in Hamilton, Ontario. Meagan is currently working on the Indigenous cybernoir mystery: Hill Agency.

Arturo Jimenez

Arturo Jimenez is an interdisciplinary Artist/Musician from Hamilton Ontario. His practice incorporates new and traditional media/sound. Now engaged in the local Hamilton music and art community, Jimenez has published work with various independent record labels, sold visual works at McMaster University’s SUMMA 2020 & 2021 charity auctions, and collaborated with established artists and community leaders. Jimenez is currently involved with local non-profit community projects.

Fareh Malik

Fareh Malik has erupted forth into the field of written poetry like fresh-water does an estuary. Originally a spoken word poet, he has been recognized internationally by many literary presses and has won several poetry awards in his emerging career. Recently, he was named the 2022 RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award winner. His debut book Streams That Lead Somewhere released in 2022 with Mawenzi House Publishers.