BIG Small Talk with Collective Co-Conspirator: Christopher Wong

BIG small talk is a chance to introduce people that Harbour Collective work with behind the scenes. Sasha Kucas speaks with Christopher Wong for a fun conversation of BIG small talk. 

The sun prevents this family-oriented wolf from staying in bed and scrolling on his phone. Instead, he gets out of bed to do numerous projects, attend to his family, go to the gym, and walk in nature. After a nutritious breakfast fit for yoga gurus everywhere of granola, strawberries, and yogurt, this playful, easy-going filmmaker basks in the sunlight while sitting on his mother’s porch. He shares his thoughts about writing, aliens, and how he would empower Indigenous People through martial arts…

Bagowji (Christopher Wong) is an artist from Nawash Unceded First Nation and based out of Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory, Canada. A producer/director with the Indigenous Canadian artist union Bawaadan Collective and the Asinabka Festival, he is also an active volunteer in the Ottawa arts and cultural community,  including the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, DARC (formerly SAW Video) and Gallery 101. Bagowji enjoys making mixtapes and playing DJ sets of Wigwam Nagamowin, Anishnabe blended house music, which he has performed at the Pique Festival, Drone Day, Club SAW, Gallery 101 and various events. 

Bagowji Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/christopher-wong-29

Bawaadan Collective Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BawaadanCollective/videos

Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival: https://asinabkafestival.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothic1974/?hl=en

Creative Manitoba – Communications Manager
Creative Manitoba is looking for a Communications Manager to implement a comprehensive content and communication strategy that promotes Creative Manitoba’s organizational values and activities. Working with the Creative Manitoba team, the Communications Manager will maintain forward-thinking and effective content creation plans while managing external communications, website and social media channels, and a weekly e-newsletter. 
October 12

Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society – Executive Director
AMAAS is seeking a motivated and creative thinker who will work remotely up to 20 hours a week. The executive director leads this board governance organization and is the sole employee. 
October 15

Concordia University – Research Chair and Director Position at the Jarislowsky Institute
The Research Chair and Director will hold a full-time tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Art History. The Institute seeks to initiate national and international conversations about historical and contemporary forms of Canadian art and visual culture by forging links between established and emergent scholars working across the country and abroad. Its programs support innovative research and the mobilization of knowledge through print culture and new media networks. Emphasizing exchange, collaboration, and trans-Canada partnerships, the Institute builds on its founders’ collective vision to advance the greater appreciation and richer understanding of Canadian art and visual culture of all eras. The Institute collaborates on research programs and vital forms of public outreach with educational and cultural institutions, as well as the private sector. 
October 15

OCAD University – Collections Steward
Onsite Gallery at OCAD University is seeking a dynamic and motivated candidate to fill the one-year contractual role of Collection Steward. This position plays an influential role in determining the collection’s care and future management within both a public and an academic setting. 
October 15

Arts Culture Theatre Company – LEAP Program Assistant
The LEAP Program Assistant works closely with the LEAP Co-Leaders to help with the smooth running of the program, both educationally and administratively. Classes for the LEAP program run from November to March with various workshops and writing labs in March/April culminating in the LEAP festival in May.
October 16

Festival of Animated Objects – Business Manager
The Puppet Umbrella (Calgary Animated Objects Society, Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry & the Festival of Animated Objects) seeks an organized and entrepreneurial person to build organizational capacity and efficiencies as a business manager for the Puppet Umbrella. 
October 16

Martha Street Studio – Executive Director
The Executive Director is part of an engaged co-planning team yet takes overall responsibility for all aspects of the management of Martha Street Studio’s gallery, services and programs. This extends to strategic planning and development initiatives to fulfill the organization’s vision, mission and mandate. 
October 16

Emerging Curator for the Canada Council for the Arts Âjagemô Exhibition Space
The Canada Council Art Bank is seeking proposals from emerging curators interested in curating an exhibition featuring artwork from the Art Bank collection in the Âjagemô Exhibition Space. Presented from June 2024 to January 2025, this physical exhibition will be complemented by an online exhibition on the Âjagemô page of the Canada Council website. 
October 18

Telefilm Canada – Chairperson
The Chairperson is responsible for the proper conduct of board meetings to ensure Telefilm’s mandate and objectives are carried out effectively, ensuring good value for the funding provided by taxpayers, maintaining Telefilm’s viability and holding management accountable for its performance. 
October 19

Gimli International Film Festival – Executive Director
The Gimli International Film Festival is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director to manage and lead GIFF and a talented team of professionals as we enter our 24^th year. GIFF is the largest non-urban festival in Canada. Situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Winnipeg in Gimli, Manitoba, the mission of GIFF is to inspire, educate, enlighten, and entertain festival enthusiasts. The festival showcases the best new films from Canada’s and Manitoba’s most promising directors and an exceptional selection of features, documentaries, and shorts from around the world. 
October 20

TREX – Manager/Curator
Reporting to the Art Gallery of Alberta’s (AGA) Executive Director/Chief Curator, the Manager/Curator of the Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX) will manage the AGA provincial travelling exhibition program. 
October 22

Gallery TPW – Executive Director
The Executive Director is responsible for all matters pertaining to the organization’s operations including financial and strategic planning, staff management and human resources, fundraising and administration, and acts as the organization’s primary representative and advocate within the arts community and to internal and external stakeholders. This is a key role within Gallery TPW that oversees the sustainability, accountability, and compliance of organization-wide practices while ensuring a clear and forward-projecting vision for all programs and initiatives. 
October 23 

Video Pool Media Arts Centre – Facilities and Administration Coordinator
Video Pool Media Arts Centre is seeking someone to fill the part-time role of Facilities and Administration Coordinator, working across various departments and acting as one of the primary contacts for members accessing VP’s equipment and facilities. The Facilities + Administration Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of venue coordination as well as assisting the Technical Director with equipment/facilities rentals and other technical duties. The Coordinator will also assist with general administration and data entry. This is primarily on on-site position. 
October 23

Nanaimo Art Gallery- Director of Development and Communications
The Director of Development and Communications is a new role for the Gallery, and is integral to the ongoing work to realize a new, purpose-built Nanaimo Art Gallery on Snuneymuxw Territory. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development and Communications will build a strategic fund development program and create a successful capital campaign. As a compelling storyteller with an understanding of contemporary art and with expertise in the development and implementation of brand strategies, the Director of Development and Communications will expand the reach and impact of Nanaimo Art Gallery. 
October 27

University of Saskatoon – Archivist, Indigenous Collection
Qualified Indigenous candidates are invited to apply for a full-time, three-year term (non-tenure track) archivist position with University Archives and Special Collections, University Library (UASC). The successful candidate will bring their experience and expertise to the work of developing and implementing an Indigenous and decolonized approach to Indigenous-related collections with the UASC team. 
October 27

Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Indigenous Artist, Writer or Knowledge-Keeper
These residencies will support Indigenous knowledge in research and in the creation of new works in variety of fields, including but not restricted to Indigenous governance, pedagogy, sustainability, literary composition and spoken word, filmmaking, music, the visual arts (carving, weaving, painting, drawing, photography, digital media, sculpture, printmaking, etc.), performance and interdisciplinary creative practices.  
Open until Filled

2024 AGO X RBC Artists-in-Residence Program 
In 2024, the AGO X RBC Artists-in-Residence Program will support three artist projects, each to be developed over a three-month residency and shared with AGO visitors. Artists are asked to respond to the theme of movement in their proposals. We invite artists to think about movement of people, ideas and places; how movement mingles with, enhances or engages the museum context; and how personal experience shapes the project.
October 24