Emerging Creators Unit
education programming supporter
NIGE GOUGH SHINE ON FOUNDATION AT THE TORONTO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
What is the Emerging Creators’ Unit?
The Emerging Creators Unit is an artist-driven, mentor-supported creative model; we look for strongly motivated emerging queer and/or trans artists AND/OR early-in-craft queer and/or trans artists who have an ability to work independently.
The Emerging Creators Unit offers an intensive opportunity to develop your artistic practice and producing skills.
Last year, the unit was facilitated by multidisciplinary artist Erum Khan (ECU artist in 2018). Workshop and masterclasses were curated around identified areas of growth from participants.
2022/23 ECU participants: C4LDEIR4, James Knott, and Marium Masood.
Meet the Artists
C4LDEIR4
C4LDEIR4 is a creator of film, performance, visual art and experience. Her work is rooted in navigating the seen, unseen and inbetween. She is influenced by nature and nurture; breath, sound and music; language and creative expression; stillness and poetic movements; found objects, reflective material and meaning making; one’s inner child and the universe; interconnectivity and the present moment. With a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA), C4LDEIR4’s interdisciplinary work stems in producing, managing and artistically curating: creative projects, events and art-education programming rooted in the street arts community. C4LDEIR4 continues utilizing her art as a tool, key, and sword to reach appreciative audiences worldwide and empower her personal journey.
Photo by Frannie Honoridez
JAMES KNOTT
James Knott is an emerging, Toronto-based artist, having received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Integrated Media from OCAD University.
Their performance-based practice employs tactics of self-mythologizing a means to bridge personal narratives into communal ones.
Their work combines theatre, video, and audio with an emphasis on movement/gesture to create immersive and emotionally resonant experiences, exploring themes of paradoxical and queer identity, archetypes of desire, and the commodification of the femme body.
An alumnus of The Roundtable Residency, they’ve exhibited/performed at Xpace Cultural Centre, Trinity Square Video, the Toronto Feminist Art Conference, the 7a*11d International Festival of Performance Art, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and the AGO’s First Thursdays.
MARIUM MASOOD
Marium Masood is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist originally from Karachi, Pakistan. She is intrigued by the human condition and uses various mediums to understand herself and the world around her. Getting her start with theatre acting, Marium moved on to explore hip-hop/contemporary dance – after which she developed a deep affinity for digital art. She has since created a range of experimental videos. Marium is now entering her music era by exploring the art of rap, music production, and DJing. Through the Emerging Creator’s Unit, Marium is excited to refine her craft(s), and collaborate with local talent.
Emerging Artist & Producer Series
EAPS is a space for emerging artists and emerging producers to meet each other, share skills and ideas, and learn from established professionals in their field. This year’s EAPS will include hands-on workshops from established artist professionals and social events to further community growth. Learn more about the program here.
Past Participants
2022 // Kalale Dalton-Lutale, Tan Vu
2021 // Ajahnis Charley, Janis Mayers, Babe Waters
2020 // Rochelle R, Gabe Maharjan & Merlin Simard
2019 // Ophira Calof, Brock Hessel, Shohana Sharmin, Jade Walker & Kasden Leo Indigo
2018 // Rhiannon Collett, Erum Khan, Kwaku Okyere, Heath V Salazar
2017 // Bilal Baig, Teiya Kasahara, François Macdonald, Sofia Rodriguez
2016 // Marina Moreira, Joshua Middleton, Chase Lo, Monica Garrido
2015 // kumari giles, Faith-Ann Mendes, Andre Prefontaine, Brian Postalian
2014 // Jackie Rowland, Ramon Vitung, Rory Jade Grey
2013 // Sina Gilani, Shaista Latif, Aemilius (Milo) Ramirez, Mx. Sly
2012 // Jamie Ebbs, Daniel Jelani Ellis, Michael David Lorsch, cassy walker
2011 // Meg Gennings, Olive-or-Oliver, Andrew Robinson, Evan Vipond
2010 // Cassandra Moore, Flerida Pena, Zita Nyaraty, Jonathan Schuster
2009 // Cole J. Alvis, Kim Crosby, Tawiah M’carthy, Rob Salerno
2008 // Jessica Michael Reynolds, Mark Shyzer, Alisha Stranges, Jordan Tannahill
2007 // Andrew Bathory, Shannon Curry, Waawaate Fobister, Dawn Nearing, Jay Stewart
Program Supporters
Education Partner:
TD Bank Group
Additional Program Support:
The NigE Gough Shine On Foundation at the Toronto Community Foundation