After a two-year delay due to COVID-19, ArtsLink NB will finally get the chance to host its Arts Atlantic Symposium in Saint John.
It is a three-day conference for artists and arts professionals from across Atlantic Canada.
ArtsLink is a member-based organization that unifies artists and art groups by promoting their values.
“It’s a multi-disciplinary organization, meaning artists from all disciplines can be members, such as musicians, visual artists, writers, or people who work in the theatre,” said Sarah Jones, curatorial and outreach coordinator for the Arts Atlantic Symposium.
“The organization also does a lot of advocacy work for artists and their rights within the province, and then we also organize a lot of professional development opportunities,” continued Jones.
The symposium is set for the fall and will include an industry conference with keynote speakers, panels, and networking events.
“We also have a public festival where there will be various performances from multiple disciplines from across Atlantic Canada, which is for people attending the symposium, but also for the broader public,” mentioned Jones.
With the delay, Jones mentioned it is going to be exciting to meet with several artists.
“The whole point of conferences is to put people from an industry in the same room together so that connections can happen, and networking is important not just for people in business, but for artists as well because that’s how we energize.”
Over the years, Jones has witnessed the arts grow across Saint John, and throughout the province.
“I started my own studio practice in Saint John about 12 years ago, and I remember talking to somebody from out of the province, and they were like, ‘oh Saint John, what a cultural waste land’, and 10 to 12 years ago it was, but now I never hear that as it’s a very thriving community, which is something I also hear when we’re reaching out to artists to participate in the Symposium.”
The Arts Atlantic Symposium will run from October 21 to 23.
The main venue will be located at the Saint John Theatre Company building with several other events being held across the Port City.
