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AGO Creative Minds

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A series of provocative conversations presented by Jonas & Lynda Prince

Upcoming Event

UPCOMING EVENT

ART AND SURVIVAL

Watch the event livestream below

Monday December 3, 8 pm
Koerner Hall
$24.50 - $79.50

Tickets On Sale:
October 16, 2018 at 10 am

Limit of 4 tickets per transaction
To complete purchase, set up an account on the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Ticketing Site

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Attorney, Activist

photo of Jennifer Baichwal

Jennifer Baichwal

Documentary Filmmaker

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Brian Jungen

Artist

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Tanya Talaga

Author, Journalist

As artists grapple with the implications of our current geological epoch, in which humans are the primary cause of permanent planetary change – we invite them to enter into conversation around humanity’s massive and destructive reengineering of the planet. Join us on December 3, 2018 for another edition of AGO Creative Minds as creative thinkers take the stage to discuss how best to demonstrate and bridge the gap between knowledge and action. From pipeline blockades to poetic meditations on melting icebergs, artists are consumed with a sense of urgency around climate and have a vast toolbox of tactics to incite social and political change. For many, passively waiting for the future to be better is not a strategy — and it is not an option. How can art be a catalyst for change?

The event will unfold over 90 minutes, opening with a live performance by Martha Wainwright before moving into the discussion.

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Duncan McCue

Moderator

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Martha Wainwright

Musical Performer

ABOUT CREATIVE MINDS

CREATIVE MINDS is landmark series of events that bring together visionary artists to discuss their work and the urgent social, political and cultural issues of our time. Leading Canadian cultural institutions—the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Banff Centre and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation—have come together to create this initiative with the support of Series Presenters Jonas & Lynda Prince, whose leadership inspired the development of the project. Each event features exceptional artists from diverse disciplines brought together to discuss a timely contemporary issue through the lens of their art and life experience. The conversations will be moderated by a leading journalist and each event opens with a musical performance. The events will be streamed online and broadcast on radio by CBC, giving audiences across Canada an opportunity to hear what the artists have to say. Creative Minds builds a platform for artists to share their unique perspectives on defining issues, showcasing the power of art and artists to reflect upon our times and shape our future.

 

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PAST EVENTS

Past Events

ART AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Watch the first event on demand

September 20, 2016
Massey Hall

Creative Minds launched with a sold-out conversation about one of today's most urgent issues: social justice and the political and cultural barriers to inclusion and equality.

As movements such as #IdleNoMore and #BlackLivesMatter gain momentum in Canada and around the world, how do we address systemic oppression? And what is required for true reconciliation and real progress?

Opening with a special performance by critically acclaimed soprano Measha Brueggergosman and moderated by CBC Metro Morning host Matt Galloway, the series launch unfolded with a discussion about each artist’s relationship to activism, resistance and reconciliation through the lens of their work and life experiences.

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André
Alexis

Author

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Buffy
Sainte-Marie

Musician/ Artist

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Deepa
Mehta

Filmmaker

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Rebecca
Belmore

Artist

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Matt Galloway

Moderator

Measha Brueggergosman

Musical Performer

IMAGE CREDITS: André Alexis photo by Hannah Zoe Davison, Buffy Sainte-Marie photo by Matt Barnes, Deepa Mehta photo by Mark Peckmezian, Rebecca Belmore photo by Martin Lipman, Matt Galloway courtesy CBC.

ART AND NATIONHOOD

Watch the event on demand

Friday April 21, 2017
Massey Hall
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Sir David
Adjaye

Architect

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Christi
Belcourt

Artist

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Junot
Díaz

Author

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Paul
Gross

Filmmaker

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Matt Galloway

Moderator

Whitehorse

Musical Performer

IMAGE CREDITS: Sir David Adjaye photo by Alex Fradkin, Christi Belcourt photo by David Barbour, Junot Díaz photo by Nina Subin, Matt Galloway courtesy CBC.

ART AND TRUTH

Read more
Watch the event on demand

Wednesday April 4, 2018
Massey Hall
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Salman Rushdie

Author

photo of Andrea Fraser

Andrea Fraser

Artist

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Charles Officer

Filmmaker

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Iskwé

Musician

What is the meaning of “truth” in this era of fake news, pseudo-science, conspiracy theories and intellectual polarization? Do artists have a role in discerning the truth? Can they speak with authority? Can their work shift the moral compass for evaluating right and wrong? How can art reveal uncomfortable truths? How can art reveal dishonesty?

Join us on April 4, 2018 for another edition of AGO Creative Minds at Massey Hall as four artists take to the stage to debate the role of art in distinguishing right from wrong, and to consider how notions of truth are related to broader social, economic, political and intellectual forces.

Following a live musical performance, the conversation will begin with a brief exploration of each artist’s engagement with ideas of truth, before opening up to discuss the perils and pitfalls of what it means to speak with authority, with all the risks that it entails.

The event will unfold over 90 minutes, opening with a live performance by JUNO nominated musician Iskwé before moving into the discussion.

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Anna Maria Tremonti

Moderator

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Iskwé

Musical Performer

IMAGE CREDITS: Salman Rushdie photo by Beowulf Sheehan, Andrea Fraser photo courtesy Andrea Fraser, Charles Officer photo by Justin Morris, Iskwé photo by Lisa MacIntosh, Anna Maria Tremonti courtesy CBC.
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