Three Western Canadian universities are teaming up on a new initiative to bolster art education on the Prairies.
Art Under the Big Sky: A Prairie Art Network, which seeks to develop a network for Prairie-based visual arts educators, professionals and students, will host its inaugural gathering, the Prairie Art Institute, in Regina.
"Our objective is to help grow and strengthen art education in the Canadian Prairies and also build a stronger presence for the visual arts in the region," three professors from universities in Alberta and Saskatchewan say in an open letter.
They are Andrea Korda, at the University of Alberta; Karla McManus, at the University of Regina; and Devon Smither, at the University of Lethbridge.
The institute will take place at the University of Regina, the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Regina from June 15 to June 17.
The proposed program includes discussions about teaching art history, regional contexts in curating, working with art collections and arts organizations in the community, and integrating regional artists, including Indigenous artists, into courses.
Those interested in the network are asked to complete this Google form by Feb. 10.
For more information, reach out to prairieartnetwork@gmail.com.