Event Details

Founded in 2012 and incorporated in 2015, We Live Up Here Urban Arts is an urban arts organisation in Sudbury, Ontario formed around the idea that art can inspire, transform and help build a better community. Originally created by Christian Pelletier and Andrew Knapp with the purpose of creating a collaborative photography book celebrating Sudbury’s urban culture, We Live Up Here, the book, launched in December 2012 and immediately sold out. The organization has since grown and expanded their output to include the Up Here Festival (UHF), an independent urban art & emerging music festival that launched in 2015. Every summer, Up Here brings together dozens of muralists, musicians and installation artists to transform downtown Sudbury into an urban art gallery.

This application is for the “Wiikwemkoong Annual Cultural Festival” (WACF), taking place on the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Territory, August 1 to 5, 2024. In 2023 organizers piloted the addition of Friday night entertainment in partnership with the Wikwemikong Arts and Music Festival (WAMF), which proved to be successful. The WACF has decided to continue the partner musical programming in 2024. Programming will include:

(1) (August 1) Small exhibit presentations and workshopping events;

(2) (August 2) Friday Night WAMF programming: featuring both local / emerging and professional / established artists (organizers are in talks with Crystal Shawanda and Snotty Nose Rez Kids);

(3) (August 3 to 5) The Wiikwemkoong Annual Cultural Festival; (i) cultural, arts, history and other presentations in a large 100 x 40 ft tent; (ii) a competition Powwow; (iii) land-based teachings, cultural sharing, traditional practice sessions, and Powwow etiquette; (iv) Fashion Show and Runway presentation by Little Feather Designs; and (v) “Taste From the Land” food demonstrations.