EC3 CELEBRATES NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY ON JUNE 21ST WITH A SPECIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT CURATED BY WILLIAM KINGFISHER!

June 19th, 2026

National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated annually on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. It is a dedicated time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, resilience, and diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

Each year, as part of our work to recognize National Indigenous History Month (see our Bulletin here), EC3 commissions a social media project featuring the work of two local Indigenous artists. This year distinguished artist and curator William Kingfisher has selected poet Thamer Linklater (Unweave – poem from their upcoming collection The Place I Called Home) and visual artist Ashley Street (She Faces West: The Red Dress) to highlight the outstanding contributions to our cultural like in Nogojiwanong made by local Indigenous artists. Both the artists that William has selected open our eyes to the impact of the past and the history of Indigenous people. We hope you enjoy getting to know these outstanding artists and their work!

NIPD 2026 EC3 Social Media Project

Curator: William Kingfisher

William Kingfisher is an independent arts curator, artist and gardener. He is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Rama. Kingfisher is presently the Associate Artistic Producer at Nozhem First People’s Performance Space, Indigenous Performance Initiatives, Trent University.

As curator, for the ongoing project enaawendewin/relationships (2018-present), Kingfisher creates indigenous gardens as spaces of inquiry to explore a variety of themes and ideas such as, anishinaabe history and stories in contemporary times, anishinaabemowin, our relationship to the land and its cycles, the impact of colonialism in present times, the importance of traditional foods, making art materials from plants and the land, and the building of soil for growing healthy food. Recent projects include Cultivating as Inquiry, a performance with Lisa Myers and Thomas Olszewski (Grandfather’s Kitchen) that placed traditional foods and plants as the main actors, Chanie Wenjack Theatre, February 2026, Trent University. Consultant/artist for Lithic Life, a land art, pigment-gathering and paint-making project with Cole Swanson, Art Gallery of Peterborough, 2025-2026. Curatorial consultant for the Arthur Shilling painting, The Beauty of Our People, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 2026. Consultant/artist for Mazinaw Rock Drawing Kinstillatory Project, with Kai Recollet, summer/fall 2026, Nozhem and University of Toronto.

Curatorial Statement: Thamer Linklater

Unweave (2019)

What I like about Thamer’s work is how they are able to share their experience and challenges of being Nehiyaw/Cree in the complexity of contemporary society. I have heard them share their poems in public gatherings with passion and understanding of the many struggles that Indigenous people face each day and this creates a crucial space for dialogue and healing.

Curatorial Statement: Ashley Street

She Faces West: The Red Dress (2025)

What I like about Ash Street’s project is both the artwork and the process that the artist used to create this piece. Inviting people to contribute and share in the process of creating She Faces West: The Red Dress by donating materials extends the project into a community space for dialogue, which is a crucial step to a better understanding and awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.

Meet Thamer Linklater

Thamer Linklater is Asiniskaw Ithiniwak (Rocky Cree) from Nisichawayasihk (NCN) Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. They work and reside in Nogojinawong/ Peterborough Ontario. They are a land defender, poet, artist and researcher. Their current work explores storytelling as a way of influencing change. When not engaged in research or writing, they enjoy reading, painting, drinking coffee, singing, and spending time with their partner and two pets.

Source: The artist

Unweave (2019)

Poem from their upcoming collection The Place I Called Home

We try rebuilding

homes without floorplans

We try reknitting

families without the pattern

We succeed because our blood knows

Despite us never seeing

a finished house

a blanket whole.

– Thamer Linklater

You can learn more about Thamer’s work on their website thamerlinklater.com

Meet Ash Street

Ash Street is a MichiSaagii Kwe and a member of Hiawatha First Nation. A community art project that began at the Peterborough Public Library led to international recognition, with the Red Dress installation selected for a prestigious artist residency in France. This work was created in recognition of Red Dress Day, Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. The installation invites viewers to pause, reflect, and bear witness to the lives lost while honouring the ongoing calls for justice, healing, and remembrance.

Source: The artist and https://www.peterborough.ca/news/posts/red-dress-art-installation-leads-to-residency-in-france/

She Faces West: The Red Dress (2025), Ash Street, Peterborough City Hall (500 George St. N.)

She Faces West: The Red Dress (2025), Ash Street, Peterborough Public Library

We encourage everyone to take time to learn, reflect, and celebrate Indigenous cultures, histories, and artistic contributions. We thank curator William Kingfisher, along with featured artists Thamer Linklater and Ashley Street, for sharing their work and helping foster meaningful dialogue and understanding.

Keep an eye on EC3’s social media channels in the coming days as we showcase their work!

Read the full bulletin here

EC3 Bulletin: National Indigenous History Month

Resources for Learning, Reflection, and Action

June 11th, 2026

June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. This month is an opportunity to learn more about the histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, while also reflecting on the ongoing impacts of colonialism and the work that remains on the path toward truth and reconciliation.

“National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many Indigenous communities have gathered at this time to celebrate their cultures, languages, and traditions. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration.” (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 2026.)

EC3 has gathered a collection of resources to help our community learn, reflect, celebrate, and engage throughout National Indigenous History Month. We encourage everyone to explore these resources, support Indigenous artists and organizations, and continue contributing to meaningful action toward truth and reconciliation throughout the year.

LEARN

These resources provide opportunities to learn more about Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and experiences across Canada.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report including the 94 Calls to Action. These recommendations continue to provide a roadmap for governments, organizations, institutions, and individuals seeking to advance reconciliation. We encourage everyone to read and reflect on these calls to action and consider how they can contribute to meaningful change.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21 was officially established in 1996 as National Aboriginal Day following years of advocacy from Indigenous leaders and organizations. In 2017, the day was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. Learn more about the history and significance of this day through this Government of Canada resource.
Government of Canada Indigenous Learning Portal
The Government of Canada offers a comprehensive collection of educational resources exploring Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, treaties, and contemporary experiences.
CARFAC Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts
Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) has developed a series of resources and toolkits for artists, curators, arts administrators, and programmers to support respectful engagement with Indigenous artists, communities, and cultural practices. The Ontario Arts Council’s Indigenous Arts Protocols video is also an excellent companion resource.
Native Land Digital
Explore Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages through Native Land Digital’s interactive map. This resource helps users better understand the Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories they live and work on.
WATCH, READ & LISTEN

Explore Indigenous stories, perspectives, and artistic expression through film, music, documentaries, and podcasts.
National Film Board Indigenous Cinema
The National Film Board offers a wide collection of Indigenous-made and Indigenous-focused films available for streaming. Their Indigenous Filmmaker in Residence program also highlights emerging voices and contemporary storytelling.

TVO Indigenous Collection
TVO’s Indigenous History and Perspectives collection features documentaries, interviews, educational resources, and programming that explores Indigenous experiences across Canada. This curated collection of documentaries and docu-series reflects Indigenous voices, histories, and perspectives from across the country and offers valuable opportunities for learning and reflection.

CBC Gem Indigenous Stories Collection
Celebrate National Indigenous History Month through CBC Gem’s collection of Indigenous-led films, documentaries, and series. The featured programming showcases Indigenous storytelling and offers opportunities to learn from diverse voices and experiences across the country.

CBC Indigenous Music Spotlight
Discover contemporary Indigenous musicians and artists featured by CBC, showcasing emerging and established voices from diverse Indigenous communities across Canada.

Reading for Reconciliation
CBC’s Reading for Reconciliation resources highlight books and stories that encourage deeper understanding of Indigenous experiences, histories, and cultures.

HEALING

The following organizations provide culturally grounded support services and resources for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities:

Talk4Healing. A free, confidential, and culturally grounded helpline available 24 hours a day for Indigenous women throughout Ontario.

Hope for Wellness Helpline. Provides immediate mental health counselling, crisis intervention, and emotional support for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Elder Support Line. Available Monday-Friday 9AM-11AM EST & 1PM-3PM EST, Canada-wide. Call 1-888-664-7808.

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Supports for Survivors, including support lines across Canada. Call 1-888-301-6426 in Ontario.

Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program, offered by the Government of Canada as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement: 1-866-925-4419

Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle provides counselling and healing services for Indigenous women and their families.

SUPPORT

Canada Helps offers a list of Indigenous charities that you can support with your donations. Browse and support Indigenous organizations working in areas including community development, education, culture, health, youth programming, and reconciliation.

Local organizations include:
• Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
• Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle
• Peterborough Native Learning Program

For more information, please contact:
Shelley Knott, City of Peterborough Indigenous Relations Advisor: Sknott@peterborough.ca

JOIN IN

National Indigenous History Month offers many opportunities to learn, celebrate, and connect with Indigenous communities both locally and across Canada.

Peterborough National Indigenous History Month Events

The City of Peterborough is recognizing National Indigenous History Month with a series of free events, educational opportunities, cultural programming, and community celebrations throughout June.

As part of National Indigenous History Month, community members are invited to attend a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at:
National Indigenous People’s Day Celebration: Nicholls Oval Park, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Programming will include drumming and dancing demonstrations, Indigenous vendors, a sacred fire, and a strawberry ceremony at noon. The event is presented by the Urban Indigenous Working Group in partnership with organizations including the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Trent University, Fleming College, and other local community partners.
Strawberry Moon beading: PPL, Saturday, June 20 at 1 p.m.
Bead an Ode’min Giizis (strawberry moon) themed pin while learning about seed bead embroidery. After beading, you’ll learn how to finish or edge your pin and secure the backing for a finished look. Please register through the library’s calendar at ptbolibrary.ca.
Adult Book Club: PPL, Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.
All the Quiet Places, by Brian Thomas Isaac. In-person discussion takes place at 2 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. online. Registration for either the in-person or online event can be done online through the library’s calendar at ptbolibrary.ca.
BIPOC Book Club: PPL, Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m.
Firekeeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley. Register for the entire series through the library’s online calendar at ptbolibrary.ca.
Tween Book Club: PPL, Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mascot, by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell.
Film Screenings for Truth and Reconciliation: PPL
Attend a film screening exploring Indigenous–settler relationships in the Friends of the Library Community Room.
Spirit: PPL, Thursday, June 11, 6:30 p.m.
Spirit, a young mustang, sets out across the majestic wilderness to regain his freedom and save his homeland. This film is rated G and open to everyone.
National Indigenous History Month Events Across Ontario
The Government of Canada maintains a province-wide listing of Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day events taking place throughout Ontario.

We encourage everyone to take time this month to learn, reflect, celebrate Indigenous cultures, and support Indigenous artists, organizations, and communities. Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment, and every step toward greater understanding helps build stronger and more inclusive communities.

Be sure to keep an eye on EC3’s social media channels throughout the month, where we’ll be highlighting Indigenous artists, sharing their work, and celebrating the contributions they make to our local arts and culture community.

Read the full article here

Read the full bulletin here!

EC3 Bulletin: National AccessAbility Week

June 4th, 2026

EC3 AND THE COUNCIL FOR PERSON’S WITH DISABILITIES (CPD) MARK NATIONAL ACCESSABILITY WEEK.

EC3 and CPD have joined forces on a special project to draw attention to two local artists who live with disabilities and to whom accessibility in the arts is crucial. Poet P.J. Thomas is a published writer and visual artist Lynda Todd is an award-winning painter. These artists make invaluable contributions to our community as creators and as leaders. Please check out their work on our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElectricCityCultureCouncil/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ec3ptbo/. Watch for their exhibitions and readings.

Check out the Council for Persons with Disabilities website here: https://www.pcpd.ca/ and EC3’s Art of Inclusion resources on our website here: https://www.ecthree.org/program_category/art-of-inclusion/ .

Please think about how you and/or your organization can make the arts more accessible to artists and audiences alike, and act now!

Read about National AccessAbility Awareness Week here:

“National AccessAbility Week takes place every year, starting on the last Sunday in May.

For 2026, join us from May 31 to June 6 to celebrate and promote:

the valuable contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in Canada
the work of allies, organizations and communities that are removing barriers
ongoing efforts to become a more accessible and disability-inclusive Canada
This year’s National AccessAbility Week theme is “Building a Strong, Accessible Canada.”
It invites all of us, including governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals, to take action to advance a barrier-free country. Significant progress has been made to eliminate and prevent barriers, and by continuing to work together, we can build a truly accessible, inclusive and equitable Canada.
Our country is stronger when persons with disabilities can participate fully in all aspects of society.
Together, we can empower each other and make a meaningful impact.”

Peterborough is celebrating NAAW with a variety of activities, check out Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ptbocpd/ for a calendar of events.

CPD is also celebrating its fifth annual Capable Con on Saturday June 06 from 10:00-2:00 at Quaker Park, join us for entertainment, activities, venders and much more. Check out the Farmer’s Market at the same time for some locally grown produce.

The Council for Persons with Disabilities is proud of our partnerships throughout the community, these include a variety of accessibility related organizations, services and businesses along with our friends from the Arts community, LGBTQ2SAA and the amazing people from the KPRDSB and PVNCCDSB. We wish you all a prosperous year and hope your National AccessAbility Week is a great success.

Please check out the City of Peterborough’s celebration activities here: https://www.peterborough.ca/news/recreation-parks-and-culture/.

Read the full bulletin here!

EC3 Bulletin: Chelsea Day and Marcela Moreno join the EC3 Staff. Gabe Pollock says goodbye!

May 12, 2026

Photo Credit: Chelsea Day
Image Description: Standing in front of a brick wall, a young woman with long dark wavy hair and bangs looks toward the camera with a soft smile. They are wearing a light coloured fuzzy sweater and layered necklaces.

EC3 is honoured to welcome Chelsea Day as our Director of Granting. A costume designer and stylist living in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong, she has been involved in the theatre community working with 4th Line Theatre, Electric City Players and The Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Chelsea holds a degree in English Literature from Trent University as well as a Diploma in Library Technology. Her sensitivity to artists’ needs, excellent communication skills, and strong ability to manage systems make her an excellent fit for this position.

Chelsea is a familiar face to many after having worked in customer service for downtown businesses and restaurants for over 20 years. She is passionate about the Peterborough arts and culture community and is looking forward to working to sustain and continue to grow this community through her work with EC3.

Photo Credit: Marcela Moreno
Image Description: A young woman with her dark curly hair pulled back smiles brightly at the camera. They are wearing hoop earrings and a light beige top, posing in front of a softly lit neutral background.

EC3 is honoured to welcome Marcela Moreno as our Operations and Administration Manager. A communications professional based in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong, originally from El Salvador. She moved to Peterborough three years ago and quickly developed a strong connection to the city’s arts and culture community, finding a sense of belonging through its galleries, events, and creative spaces. Marcela holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Trent University, specializing in Marketing and Consumer Culture.

Marcela brings experience across nonprofit, educational, and private-sector environments, supporting organizational operations, communications, and community engagement initiatives. Her knowledge of systems and data management are a true asset to our work at EC3.

Creativity has always been central to Marcela’s life. From a young age, she has been drawn to creative expression and now uses marketing and communications as an extension of that creativity to support the organizations where she works. Marcela is passionate about the role arts and culture play in building community and is excited to contribute to strengthening and supporting the local cultural sector through her work with EC3.

EC3 is grateful to our funders who made it possible to hire such qualified individuals, and we know you will enjoy working with them.

Photo Credit: Gabe Pollock
Image Description: A young man with dark hair, glasses, and a short beard gestures with one hand while speaking into a microphone. He is wearing a blue plaid shirt layered under a dark hoodie, standing in front of a softly lit neutral background.

Gabe Pollock has served EC3 and the arts community as our Director of Granting more than once. He always brought his outstanding knowledge of the local arts community to the position, along with exceptional organizational and administrative skills. Gabe contributed his considerable critical thinking capacity to policy and program development at EC3, demonstrated great sensitivity communicating with artists, supported juries impeccably and brought humour and diplomatic flare to all his work. His contributions to the GFIA, Artsweek, Poet Laureate, Bierk Art Bursary, Peterborough Arts Awards and COVID grant programs were remarkable.

Gabe left EC3 in January to pursue his passion for writing and journalism at Peterborough Currents. We miss him, are so very grateful for his steadfast, outstanding work and wish him the very best always. Cheers to Gabe!

Read the full bulletin here!

EC3 is Hiring a Multimedia Archivist

April 29, 2026

JOB POSTING
MULTIMEDIA ARCHIVIST
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)

Posting date: April 28, 2026
Deadline for applications: June 5, 2026
Compensation: $21 per hour, 35 hours per week
Term: This is an 8-week position starting July 6 (flexible) –
Location: This is primarily a remote work from home position with occasional meetings at the EC3 offices.
Age qualification: The position is funded through Canada Summer Jobs for anyone aged 30 or under.

ABOUT EC3
A municipal arts council, the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is a not-for-profit arts service organization supporting the development of individual artists and arts and culture organizations in Peterborough and Peterborough County. Our programs and services provide opportunities for artists to create, produce, and present work, and for audiences to experience and appreciate the arts.

DEI: EC3 is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

OVERVIEW
After ten years of delivering successful programming and services, EC3 is creating a digital platform called EC3 Backdrop for our web site documenting our history and development, consolidating and rationalizing the video, audio, photographic and text documentation of our workshops, festivals, radio programs, special events and reports on granting and other programs. EC3 is anxious to capture and clearly identify all our essential landmarks and map a landscape that makes them accessible to researchers, professionals developing policy, artists and the general public.

JOB DUTIES
Reporting to the Executive Director, the multimedia archivist will join a team working together on EC3 Backdrop, the EC3 Fifteenth Anniversary Archiving and Cataloguing Project. Duties will include:

 Reviewing and cataloguing our photography archives – particularly Artsweek and Arts Awards
 Mapping the web site and creating a visual “connections tree”
 Cataloguing social media content from the past 5 years
 Cataloguing EC3’s You Tube channels content
 Locating and identifying content of other photos, video recordings and audio recordings in the EC3 archives
 Interviewing key stakeholders, including former board, staff and volunteers regarding event details as required
 Organize and review an EC3 Backdrop beta model
 Correct for accessibility etc.
 Plan the design and digital management of all archival material on an ongoing basis
 Plan and deliver launch of EC3 Backdrop as a practical and accessible ongoing archival system that works for a variety of potential users

QUALIFICATIONS
 Excellent organizational, written and oral communications skills.
 Demonstrated ability to set and meet goals, objectives and deadlines.
 Ability to work on a team and independently.
 Familiarity with computer programs including Office Suite, social media platforms, and web site construction and maintenance (Word Press).
 Knowledge of archiving tools and database management is an asset.
 Knowledge of the arts and the local arts sector is an asset.

HOW TO APPLY
Email a resume and letter that expresses why you would like to do this job and how your experience makes you a good candidate.

Send to canadasummerjobs@gmail.com with the subject heading Multimedia Archivist.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 5 AT 5PM.

EC3 Bulletin: Canadian Arts Coalition

March 26, 2026

EC3 advocates for the arts at all levels of government. Our work has included supporting the status of the artist through direct funding, basic income programs, stronger copyright laws, and increased investment in the government programs that support arts organizations and DEI initiatives in the arts. While we continue to advocate at the municipal and provincial levels at the City of Peterborough, the OAC and the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, we wanted to draw attention to the advocacy work of Canadian Coalition for the Arts, working at the federal level, by sharing their recent newsletter.

EC3 also had an opportunity to meet briefly with MP Emma Harrison to discuss the mission and mandate of the arts council, and the value and importance of funding programs at Canadian
Heritage. Our MP suggested that arts organizations advise her office when they do make an application to the federal government for funding. We look forward to future conversations.

Emma Harrison, Member of Parliament representing Peterborough, Ontario

Picture description: A woman with brunette hair in a tan coloured pea-coat is looking directly at the camera and smiling. She is standing in a snowy field with trees in the background.

Working to strengthen Canadian arts and culture through policies, investment, sustainable practices, and public appreciation.

NEWS IN THE ARTS

Canada Council for the Arts Strategic Planning

Thank you to everyone who attended the most recent all-members meeting on February 9. We discussed the upcoming Canada Council for the Arts strategic planning, inviting input on how the Canadian Arts Coalition could represent its members and communicate their thoughts and recommendations to the Council. The top two recommendations received were to

Submit on the questionnaire on behalf of members
Provide consensus points for members’ submission

We will be moving forward on these two action points in the coming weeks, ensuring our members’ voices are heard in these discussions. We are also looking into the possibility of submitting a brief that outlines all of the concerns and feedback from our members, so please submit your feedback to info@canadianartscoalition.ca.

MORE FOR THIS MONTH

ADVOCACY & POLICY

Provincial budgets are rolling out over the coming weeks, and they will set the tone for arts and culture funding, policy, and priorities across the country. Please take a moment to check when your province or territory will table its budget, and keep an eye on what is proposed for arts, culture, heritage, and related files, including any new investments, freezes, cuts, or shifts in program design. If you spot something with implications for the sector, share it with your networks and with the Coalition.

TAKE ACTION & GET INVOLVED

One of the policy pieces that the Coalition will be focusing on in the next few months, as determined by a member’s survey, is the social safety net for artists and arts workers. Research has been done on this topic in recent years, and we are starting to find and collate the existing work. This is where we would love your assistance!

Please send us any resources, statistics, articles or other information you have encountered around Employment Insurance reform, Universal Basic Income, and other social safety net subjects to info@canadianartscoalition.ca.

FROM THE COALITION

We’ll soon be moving our member communications to our new membership platform. This includes emails, notices about membership meetings, and other important updates.

To continue receiving these messages in March and beyond, you must be listed as a contact in the new platform. If you don’t currently have an account, it’s likely because you’re not one of the designated contacts for your organization.

If that’s the case, please either:

Ask your organization’s main contact to add you as a Delegate in their membership profile, or
Email membership@canadianartscoalition.com, and we’ll be happy to get you set up.

If you’re unsure whether you’re listed, just send us a quick email and we’ll check for you. We want to make sure you continue to receive all our updates!

Read the full bulletin here!

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Grants for Individual Artists!!

EC3’s GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS fueled 17 new projects by talented local artists, creating a diverse bounty of new writing, theatre, circus arts, visual arts, dance, music and more for Peterborough audiences.

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is proud to announce the 17 local artists who have been awarded a total of $35,250 through the 2025 Grants for Individual Artists program. This multidisciplinary program is funded jointly by the City of Peterborough and EC3, and is designed, delivered, and administered by EC3. This year, 50 artists applied for grants ranging from between $1,500 and $3,500.00. Grants are adjudicated and awarded by a five-person peer assessment jury.The Grants for Individual Artists (GFIA) program is divided into two components.

Component One: Mini Development Grants for Individual Professional Artists provides up to $1,500 to an artist for research, development, workshopping etc. of original new works and ongoing projects, as well as for professional training and mentorship opportunities to advance their practice. Funding provides a contribution to support artists’ work in writing, rehearsing, scripting, test filming, arranging scores, retraining, workshopping, etc.
Nine artists were awarded grants in Component One (total $12,750) in 2025.

Component Two: Project Creation, Production and Presentation Grants for Individual Professional Artists, provides up to $3,500 for the creation, production, and presentation to audiences of specific projects. Grants support costs such as artist fees, production materials, venue rentals, technical equipment, costumes, printing, etc.
Eight artists were awarded grants in Component Two (total $22,500) in 2025.

In total, the program’s open call received 45 eligible applications, and a five-member peer assessment jury awarded grants to 17 artists (total value of grants awarded: $35,250). Artists working in every discipline, genre and medium were eligible, including those who work in multi-disciplinary or community-based arts practice, and in traditional or contemporary forms. A complete list of grant recipients and their projects can be found below.

“We are particularly grateful to the City of Peterborough for their $25,000 support of this vital program in 2025, and to all of our funders for their ground-breaking contributions to the development of local talent and works of art. These investments in the efforts of our very talented and hardworking artists means more artists can realize their visions, contribute to our cultural, economic, community and social well-being, and make Peterborough a more vital and exciting place to live for all of us. New books, poetry, concerts, plays, exhibitions, albums, and performances of all kinds will touch our hearts, minds, and imaginations.”
–Su Ditta (Executive Director, EC3)

GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS 2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Component One: Mini Development Grants for Individual Professional Artists

Tia Cavanagh – Indian Jones vs. The Vatican
Research and creation of an alter ego persona – “Indian Jones”, an Indigenized concept inspired by Indiana Jones, for a planned future performance piece about the theft of cultural artifacts.

Marta Chudolinska – Babcia: a papercut graphic novel
Artist fees to continue writing, drawing, and making papercut art for a graphic novel and to present a public artists talk about the artist’s process.

Michael C Duguay – Here I Go Into The Wobbly Yonder
Support for a period of research and experimentation focused on the intersection of music and “processional” art in the contexts of composition, performance and documentation.

Laurie D Graham – What Elements
Completion of a draft of a poetic nonfiction manuscript exploring what “land and home” could mean for the settler subject.

Nicole Malbeuf – Drafting Art/Children’s Book: A Hen Called Freedom
Writing/editing, book design planning and researching self-publishing for art book/children’s book hybrid, based on an original circus arts performance.

Kasonde Mutale – Black Radical Existentialism: an exploration
Research, creation and artist fee for visual and written storytelling exploring Black radical existentialism through African traditional art, revitalizing Black identity, dignity and pride.

Kate Story – Strangeness on Earth (working title)
Paying sensitivity readers, youth readers, and an artist fee for work on a new young adult historical fantasy novel set in 1817 Newfoundland and Orkney.

Lynda Todd – Migration #3: Land, Air & Sea
Purchasing materials to complete a series of tactile portraits of polar bears, penguins, and whales accompanied by braille descriptions, inviting all to experience their journeys.

Gillian Turnham – Indelible Architecture: From The Rubble; Ruined Not
Researching visual records of destroyed Islamic heritage sites in the Eastern Mediterranean, to inform a series of traditional miniature paintings memorializing architecture lost in conflict.

Component Two: Project Production and Development Grants for Individual Artists

Brad Brackenridge – Pinocchio
Creation of an original, family-friendly adaptation of Pinocchio involving puppetry, dance, and mask for a short run of workshop performances at the Market Hall.

Brooklin Holbrough – “Art-Work” (Working title)
Artist fees towards a zine that aims to demystify art and illustration as a career path for emerging creatives.

Thamer Linklater – The Place I Called Home
Editorial costs ( including copy and content editing) and graphic design to submit manuscript for publishing, either traditionally or self-published.

Kayla Mahomed – Kay Silver Debut Album Recording
Recording an album of original material with diverse influences in the pop-rock tradition with local collaborators in the Peterborough region.

Ell Parker – Heartbreakers | Dream Makers Volume 3: Servin’ [C*ntry]
Artist fees and venue costs to mount a multidisciplinary, country themed drag concert at Sadleir House. Featuring local artists, drag queens, and projectionists, the event seeks to deconstruct the heteronormative ideologies of country music, and provide a fun and inclusive space for queer individuals.

Benj Rowland – new peasant marching band
Artist fees and production costs for a marching band offering lively, themed performances at community events to engage audiences and celebrate local culture.

Esther Vincent – Are We Sleeping, A one-act play
Artist fees, venue rental, and actor fees to present a staged reading of a one-act script about a family facing dementia.

Ziysah von Bieberstein – Before the Tymbals Sound
Editorial and artist fees to prepare manuscript for submission to traditional publishers.

Read the full bulletin here!

Chet Singh joins the EC3 Board of Directors

February 21st, 2026

EC3 is honoured to welcome artist, educator and cultural activist Chet Singh to the EC3 Board of Directors. An accomplished artist and educator, Chet brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our work as a municipal arts council in Peterborough. His deep community connections, capacity to work in institutional and grassroots environments, and passion for the arts and artists will provide an enormous asset to our organization and our work for the arts in Peterborough.

Chet Singh

Dub poet, educator and social activist Chet Singh emerged with the first wave of Caribbean dub poets in the early 1980’s. He fronted the punk, reggae band One Mind, comprised of Trent students. After returning to Nogojiwanong two decades later, he’s released 6 albums. A founding member of Canada’s Dub Poets Collective, he also served on the board of the Ontario Arts Council. His work advancing diversity, equity, decolonizing and critical education has been recognized with awards for teaching excellence and educational leadership.

Read the full bulletin here!

EC3 Bulletin: Black History Month

February 18th, 2026

February is Black History Month and EC3 wants to recognize and celebrate the many great events happening in our community, and the people who make them happen.

Each February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people all across Canada, and in their particular local communities.

The 2026 theme for Black History Month is: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.”

This month is an important opportunity to learn about and acknowledge these people and their often hidden histories and stories.

We invite all Canadians to learn more about Black Canadian communities, and how they continue to contribute to and help shape Canada.

Along with the celebrations, Black History Month is a call to recognize the things that have been lost, the stories that have been suppressed and the racism that has haunted many of these people and the communities that they live in. Much of the programming outlined below provides us with the unique opportunity to learn more, to experience more and to build our capacity as anti-racist allies. It’s a chance to read great books, learn new dances, listen to fabulous music, enjoy the artists and their work and learn more about our friends and neighbours.

Read the full bulletin here!

Ontario Provincial Cultural Strategy – July 2016

June 18th, 2019

Ontario Provincial Cultural Strategy – July 2016
Link HERE.

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Vision 2025 – City of Peterborough Progress Update May 2016

June 18th, 2019

Vision 2025 – City of Peterborough Progress Update May 2016
Link HERE.

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STATS ON ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS

June 18th, 2019

The full report is here: Provincial and Territorial Culture Indicators, 2010 to 2014

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Appearance before the Standing Committee

June 18th, 2019

Appearance before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Study on Cultural Hubs and Cultural Districts – read the report Here

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Artsweek 2016

November 8th, 2016

Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
Vol. 1 Issue 2 2016

YOU
ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ARTSWEEK 2016 OPENING

Please join us to celebrate the city's artistic bounty at the Artsweek 2016 Launch
Opening Ceremonies!

Friday September 23, 2016 at 12 Noon
N.E. Corner of Queen and Simcoe Streets
(Help Paralegal Services, 114 Simcoe St. parking lot).

Artsweek and the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) invite you to join us for the opening ceremonies for Artsweek and the unveiling of Alex Bierk’s mural “Passing Cloud” (2016).

This will be the first opportunity to view the spectacular Bierk mural and to get a sneak peek at some incredible Artsweek 2016 events. It’s also a perfect opportunity to meet some of the wonderful Artsweek artists, partners, and sponsors over light refreshments. We want to say thank you and recognize all of you.

Opening ceremonies will include:

The official Artsweek proclamation by Mayor Daryl Bennett
The spectacular reveal of the Alex Bierk mural
A dramatic reading from the Following the White Whale project by Fourth Line Theatre director and actor Robert Winslow
The first sharing of the ecitylit
The arrival of the Artsweek 2016 Artscart
And many other surprises!

There will be great food and drink and we hope to see you all there.

Artsweek launch day will continue into the evening with three more interactive events: BLINK on Charlotte, The Gallery Hop, and the ecitylit kick off.

Join a guided tour of the BLINK on Charlotte storefront exhibitions, or make your own journey to exhibitions at participating art galleries during the Hop, in and around the downtown:

7:00 pm and 8:00 pm: BLINK Opening Tours

Guided tours of the 8 BLINK on Charlotte storefront visual arts installations. Meet at The Charlotte Mews tunnel (next to The Art School of Peterborough,

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Gallery Hopping:

Evans Contemporary, 129½ Hunter St. W., 3rd Floor
ACME, 129½ ,Hunter St. W., 3rd Floor
Artspace, 378 Aylmer St N.
Christensen Fine Art, 432 George N.
Gallery in the Attic, 140 1/2 Hunter St W.
The Monocle Centre for the Arts, 140 Simcoe St.
Art Gallery of Peterborough, 250 Crescent St.

8:30 pm - 9:30 pm: ecitylit at Black Honey

Join us for readings and the unveiling of literary coffee cup sleeves featuring local micro-fiction and poems commissioned just for Artsweek and appearing on coffee sleeves all around town. These literary sleeves will be available throughout Artsweek at participating cafés: BE Catering, Black Honey, Dreams of Beans, the Silver Bean Cafe, Natas, the Planet, the Planet North, BE at the Trend, In a Nuttshell, Amusé Coffee Co., Caffeina, Simply Delicious, the Turnbull Cafe and the Whistle Stop Cafe.

Artsweek 2016
Artsweek 2016 features 30 projects involving almost 100 outstanding artists in a celebration of original, home-grown artworks showcased in five exciting Artsweek Signature Programs. http://www.artsweekptbo.com/
See you soon!
ARTSWEEK IS…
BOLD quiet INTENSE playful SERIOUS mysterious
INTELLIGENT delirious MAGICAL practical EMOTIONAL
curious DEMANDING rewarding…
ARTSWEEK IS a thought-provoking, soul-evoking, journey
into the heart and soul of Peterborough.

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Hello ArtCity!

November 8th, 2016

Hello ArtCity!
ArtCity is the name of the Calendar section of the Artsweek 2016 web site, the place where all the arts, culture and heritage activities taking place in Peterborough during Artsweek (September 23 – October 2) are listed. It is incredibly bountiful and reminds us once again what a truly creative community we live in! More on Artsweek 2016 coming up…

Welcome Executive Director Su Ditta
EC3 welcomed a new Executive Director, Su Ditta, in May of this year. You can see the Media Release about Su’s appointment on our web site at www.ecthree.org. We are thrilled to have someone with Su’s experience and knowledge leading our team. She has been busy pushing the management limits at EC3 and organizing Artsweek 2016, that’s why you haven’t heard from us for a while. Thanks Su, for going the distance with us.

Artsweek 2016: SAVE THE DATE
September 23 – October 2, 2016 – Launch and Opening Ceremonies
September 23rd @ 12 Noon, NE corner of Queen and Simcoe

Artsweek 2016 is shaping up to be one of the best ever thanks to the nearly 100 artists who are participating in some 30 projects this year. Don’t miss the Launch on September 23 @
12 Noon, on the NE corner of Queen and Simcoe, featuring the unveiling of Alex Bierk’s spectacular mural project Passing Cloud (2016). There will be food and drink and a sneak peek at some Artsweek events. Artsweek 2016 features 5 Signature Programs:

Blink
Words
Porchapalooza
Pop Up Arts
New Moon Afternoon

Artsweek 2016 events are organized by our intrepid Program Director Laurel Paluck, who describes Artsweek 2016 this way:

ARTSWEEK IS…
BOLD quiet INTENSE playful SERIOUS mysterious INTELLIGENT delirious
MAGICAL practical EMOTIONAL curious DEMANDING rewarding…
ARTSWEEK IS a thought-provoking, soul-evoking journey into the heart and soul of Peterborough.
It’s all true and it wouldn’t be possible without the Artsweek Team, dozens of individuals and the 85 collaborating businesses and organizations that we are calling Planet Artsweek. You can find out more about Artsweek 2016 at artsweekptbo.com or check out the Artsweek Facebook page. The web site is live now and the Program will be the centre spread in ECMagazine’s September issue, available at all the usual spots on September 7th.

On the Advocacy Front
City of Peterborough
EC3 made a presentation to the City of Peterborough’s Budget Committee in July this summer. We were fortunate to work with Katherine Carleton of Orchestras Canada (headquartered here in Peterborough) and Blair MacKenzie, (Peterborough Symphony Orchestra). After consultation with a number of groups and individuals, we focused our “ask” on a 10% increase to the Community Investment Grants Program. Follow up will continue this fall.

Federal Government
EC3 represents the local arts, culture and heritage community on MP Maryam Monseff’s innovative Social, Cultural and Arts Development Council. This is an advisory group and EC3 has been in touch with numerous organizations in the City to get information and ideas to inform the work of this committee. It’s a unique opportunity to speak to our MP, who is a Cabinet Minister, about what federal programs and policies are crucial to our sector and what direction we would like to see the Government of Canada take.

Professional Development
We are currently putting the finishing touches on the Professional Development program for the fall and are planning an in-depth marketing seminar with Jennifer Murray of Porchlight Consulting. Watch for further details coming soon from EC3.

New Subscribers
This will be the first time some of you are receiving a missive from EC3. If you want to continue to hear from us and stay in the loop, do nothing and if you don’t want to, please Unsubscribe.

See you all at Artsweek!

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Artsweek 2016

July 15th, 2016

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ED Appointment – EC3

June 30th, 2016

Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
For Immediate Release: May 9, 2016

ARTS VETERAN TO LEAD ELECTRIC CITY CULTURE COUNCIL

Peterborough, ON –The Board of Directors of the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is very pleased to announce that Su Ditta has been hired as Executive Director of this important arts service organization. Su has been an effective and important leader in arts management nationally and locally and was recently named to Peterborough’s Pathway of Fame for her outstanding contribution to the arts in Peterborough.

Su has previously held positions as Executive Director of the Canadian Images Film and Video Festival, Associate Curator at the National Gallery of Canada, Head of the Media Arts Section of the Canada Council for the Arts and Adjunct Curator, Media Arts at the Oakville Galleries. She also previously managed the Media, Visual and Interarts component of the Flying Squad Program, an organizational and management capacity building program at the Canada Council for the Arts. She has worked as manager of numerous non-profit arts organizations, including Toronto Independent Dance Enterprise, the Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts, Canadian Images Film and Video Festival and locally for Arbor Theatre and Artspace. An award winning Media Arts curator, she has worked with dozens of art galleries across Canada and served as an advisor to multiple federal, provincial and municipal agencies and arts councils.

Ms. Ditta graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Studies and Canadian Studies. Originally from Toronto, she has lived in Peterborough for many years and freely contributed her expertise to the community through her Board involvement with Artspace, the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Arts, Culture, Heritage and Advisory Committee, the Community Grants Committee, and as co-founder of Peterborough’s Artsweek and Benchmarks, a major public art project celebrating Peterborough’s 100th anniversary. Su was a founding director and served as Vice Chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

Su Ditta has developed and delivered multiple grant and awards programs and led or been a member of more than 60 juries. She has taken an advocacy leadership role for the benefit of many arts organizations and other cultural projects and supported numerous efforts to advance the recognition of women artists and achieve racial equality and cultural diversity in the arts in Canada. Her work as private management consultant at Wild Ideas further extends her knowledge, expertise and specialized skills to assist community-based organizations in achieving growth and stability.
The Electric City Culture Council, more commonly known as EC3, is proud to have Su Ditta at the helm as Executive Director, knowing that her knowledge, her expertise, her past passionate advocacy for artists and arts organizations will provide strong and effective leadership, helping to make EC3 a dynamic and essential part of the Peterborough community.
For Further Information:
Call: 705 749 9101 or electriccitycc@gmail.com

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CRIPCUTS: Short Films Exploring Disability and Difference

May 20th, 2016

Thursday, March 17 at 2 PM – 4 PM

For the first time in Peterborough, a showcase of short films by filmmakers with disabilities will be screened at Trent University, entitled CRIPCUTS. Presented by Tangled Art + Disability in collaboration with The Electric City Culture Council and ReFrame Film Festival, with community partners Trent Accessibility Services and Trent Active Minds, CRIPCUTS highlights films from across the globe exploring themes of discrimination, institutionalization, accessibility, mental health, and why it’s okay to own many, many cats.

The filmmakers, and content of the films span across experiences of disability, race culture, gender, sexuality, and nationality, as CRIPCUTS: Short Films Exploring Disability and Difference is as diverse as the global disability community itself.

The short films of CRIP CUTS will be followed by a fantastic panel of filmmakers from the screening, moderated by jes sasche, long time contributor to Disability Arts in Peterborough!

CRIP CUTS Panel:

ALI SAEEDI – Tokens of Exclusions
Ali Saeedi – I am a Deaf Iranian-Canadian actor and film maker aspiring to one day start my own media company. I have written, acted and been an assistant director in many films and theatre productions, and I have taken courses in motion picture production and cinematography at Ryerson University. I know the fundamentals of editing and I have a diploma in make-up and special effects. I am eager to take advantage of other learning opportunities, especially since it has been difficult for me to participate in workshops and gain mainstream volunteering, because people have been unwilling to accommodate my language needs (ASL-English interpretation). I am passionate about media and dedicated to my craft. I very interested in people and culture. I would greatly appreciate this opportunity as I have so many creative ideas and talents to share with the world.

CANDICE LEIGHA – Tokens of Exclusion
Candice Leigha is an emerging artist with 10 years of experience working in the disability rights movement. Candice made several short films in 2011, when she was supporting local disability organizations in southern Africa through her work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). However, Tokens of Exclusion is her first publically screened film. She is currently working on an short animated film about the experience of being put on psychotropic medication as an adolescent, which speaks to the pathologization of people and the importance of having person centred indicators of success in the mental health systems.

ROMEO PIERRE – In the Dark Night
Romeo is a multidisciplinary artist, musician and performer passionate about the performing arts and trans-activism. He uses his experiences of growing up with an intellectual disability and being a trans man to inform activism around issues of intimacy and disability. He is a co-researcher in the Reimagining Parenting Possibilities project, and has presented work in national and international contexts.

JES SACHSE – Panel Moderator
jes sachse is a genderqueer visual artist, writer and curator obsessed with disability culture, public art, the post-industrial malaise of twenty-somethings living and breathing in toronto, and puns. Foremost a storyteller, they use sarcasm and contradiction to juxtapose disability archetypes with self-representations, to pervade public and private spaces and present audiences with the invitation to look.
Through the use of an interdisciplinary array of media, sachse has presented work on the international stage, including their recent curating of a unique disability arts program Kriptonite for Peterborough’s Artsweek in 2012, and 2011. They have also been working closely with other Toronto-based disabled artists, facilitating a CHIR funded digital story-telling initiative, Project ReVision, since 2011. sachse’s work has been featured in publications such as WORN Fashion Journal, The Toronto Tempest, Ryerson Free Press, The Toronto Star, Abilities Magazine, NOW Magazine, Xtra, Eye Weekly, and the 40th Anniversary edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves.

This event will be held in an accessible location. ASL interpretation and attendant care provided. Audio description provided for visual art exhibition and film. Film also includes captions. We request that you assist us in making a scent-free space.

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EC3’s Cultural Incubator Series presentsCopyright, Social Media, & Internet Law

May 20th, 2016

Tuesday, March 29, 2016, 8:30 am to 12.00
Peterborough Pubic Library Auditorium, 345 Aylmer St. N.
Continental Breakfast Included
Tickets: Adults $35 Student / Senior / Artspace Member / EC3 Member / 2016 SPARK Exhibitor $25

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EC3 CELEBRATES NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY ON JUNE 21ST WITH A SPECIAL SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECT CURATED BY WILLIAM KINGFISHER!

EC3 Bulletin: National Indigenous History Month

Resources for Learning, Reflection, and Action

EC3 Bulletin: National AccessAbility Week

EC3 Bulletin: Chelsea Day and Marcela Moreno join the EC3 Staff. Gabe Pollock says goodbye!

EC3 is Hiring a Multimedia Archivist

Participate in Peterborough’s Municipal Cultural Plan

EC3 Bulletin: Canadian Arts Coalition

NEWS IN THE ARTS

MORE FOR THIS MONTH

FROM THE COALITION

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Grants for Individual Artists!!

Chet Singh joins the EC3 Board of Directors

EC3 Bulletin: Black History Month