Community Spotlight

Black History Month: Supporting Black Communities in Ontario

The month of February is Black History Month: an important opportunity to celebrate Black culture and mark the significant contributions made by Black Ontarians to the success of our province and our country. It also provides a time to shine a light on injustices in our past and present. Last year we welcomed a new community website: Dufferin County Canadian Black Association - https://dufferincountycba.org - whose mission includes a platform to provide leadership for the continued development and enhancement of the Black community through civic engagement, education, programs and services and to advocate for equity and wellbeing for the Black community in Dufferin County. This is a valued resource for many individuals and families who are watching our communities grow. DCCBA has already hosted virtual events and has a number of events lined up that focusses on outreach, education and leadership. On February 20th, DCCBA is partnering with the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) to host an on-line panel that will discuss opportunities for our community to come together as a unified force, and what this means for our future. I look forward to join the panel for this discussion. Find out more information and get the link to the live stream at: https://www.dufferinmuseum.com/event/bhm/

The Peel Art Gallery and Museum Archive (PAMA) is featuring two events and virtual exhibits celebrating Black History Month. Our Voice, Our Journeys on February 20th includes the story of how the North Peel Community Church settled in the Town of Caledon. On February 25th PAMA’s discussion topic includes Caribbean Connections: The Black Atlantic stories - linking Canada to the Caribbean and the Caribbean to the world. To view these events go to: https://pama.peelregion.ca/

These local events bring meaning, insight and education to our community’s past, present and future. We may not be able to gather this year to celebrate Black History Month, but we can join these virtual events to discuss our collective history, examine racism, and find opportunities and solutions based on the experiences of Ontarians.

Ontario is committed to addressing anti-Black racism and working towards eliminating systemic racism that affects Black, Indigenous and all racialized people. Our goal is to make sure that opportunities are available to everyone – creating a healthier society, a stronger economy, and a better Ontario for all.

Solutions to address racism and rid our province of hate are needed urgently, but these solutions will not come from government alone. To that end, we are actively engaging with community partners to create effective solutions.

For example, through Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate, we are launching a brand new Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate grant program, to be designed collaboratively with community partners to ensure we advance the most effective solutions in the fight against racism and hate. This new grant program, which will provide $1.6 million in total funding, will be accessible to communities throughout Ontario and provide investments to community-based projects. We have also partnered with CivicAction in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to work with civic leaders in the development of a collaborative digital resource which will help to assist employers in building workplaces for everyone.

As a government, supporting the excellence that exists within communities starts with investing in the next generation of Black leaders and professionals. That is why our government is working to remove social and economic barriers to success for Black youth by establishing the Premier's Council of Equality of Opportunity, doubling our investment in the Black Youth Action Plan, and addressing racism and inequity in the classroom through our Education Equity Strategy. By empowering Black youth, we can ensure they play a prominent role in shaping a better future for our province.

Real change takes long-term, committed action. There’s still much work to be done, but our joint efforts are building a brighter, better Ontario. If you are interested in getting involved locally - contact your municipality and ask about its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. For more information regarding Ontario’s work to support racialized communities, visit my website at sylviajonesmpp.ca or call 1-800-265-1603. 

Deck the Door Contest Winner Announced

Source: Country 105.ca by Jill Young

Dec 15, 2020 6:45 AM

Mayor Wade Mills and Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson present prize to Julian Samuels, winner of Deck the Door contest.

The Town of Shelburne has crowned a winner in their contest to find the town’s best decked-out door for Christmas.

The Deck the Door contest was launched late last month, to bring a little joy and fun to an otherwise non-typical Christmas season.

The winner is Julian Samuels who won a $100 gift certificate from a local registered business of her choice – which was the African Caribbean Grocery Store.

Mayor Wade Mills and Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson presented Mrs. Samuels with her prize on Monday.

The Dufferin County museum held a flag raising tin honour of Black History Month

https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2130953

Peel Police is currently recruiting. Please visit Peel Police website for more details

Please visit the Museum of Dufferin to learn more about this online exhibition.

A Black History Month Exhibition, presented by the Museum of Dufferin in partnership with the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association (DCCBA).

Theme: Solidarity in My Community

Over $1000 in monetary prizes.

Entry Deadline: Monday, February 1st, 2021 – 5pm

There is no entry fee for this show.

Maximum number of entries:

• Photography Category:& Up to two (2) images per photographer
• Art Category: Up to two (2) images of artwork per artist

Open to: All provinces and territories of Canada (to enter you must be a resident of Canada).

The Museum of Dufferin (MoD) does not hold the rights to the art or photographs submitted. The art/photographs will be used for the exhibition and promotion (social media) of the exhibition only. Once the exhibition has ended all original files are deleted and removed from the Museum of Dufferin website and files. All images submitted must be submitted in high resolution, without any watermarks or logos.

This is a juried art and photography online show, not all images will be selected for display. Art and photography will be juried in two separate categories. This is an online show, no physical artwork or photography will accepted.

To learn more about this event, please visit: https://www.dufferinmuseum.com/bhm/

Please read sections 1 through 4 carefully. The application form can be found on the Museum of Dufferin Black History Month 2021 page.

General Overview

Theme: Solidarity in My Community

During these unprecedented times we have witnessed the overwhelming cries to address Anti-Black Racism, Systemic Discrimination and Social Justice Reform worldwide following the death of George Floyd. We now know as Canadians that we are not exempt from these challenges and there is an urgent need for decisive action now. Around Canada, and in our small community of Dufferin County, Ontario, we have witnessed diverse groups of individuals come together to work towards a collective goal – naming the problems finding solutions and standing in solidarity.

We invite artists and photographers from across Canada to share images and artwork that represent the theme “Solidarity in My Community”.

Did you participate in a Black Lives Matter march? Did you hang signs in your windows? Have you witnessed your community coming together in powerful ways? What does “Solidarity in My Community” mean to you through an artistic or photographic lens?

Details:

Photographers may submit up to two (2) photographs and artists may submit up to two (2) photographs of their artwork to be included in a special Black History Month online exhibition, presented by the Museum of Dufferin in partnership with the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association. The exhibition will be presented during the live Black History Month YouTube broadcast on Saturday, February 20th, 2021.

With each submission, a short description/reflection is required. Please tell us about the image/artwork (give context), what drew you to take the photograph or create the artwork and any personal reflections.

Awards will be announced for the following categories: Student Award, Best in Show Award and Juror’s Choice Award.

Juring & Awards

Jurors:

Our jurors are leaders, artists and educators in the Dufferin County Community.

Jurying Announcement Date:Friday, February 5th, 2021

*Entrants will be notified by this date if their work has been accepted into the show.

Jurying Criteria:

Photography Category:

• Image quality, composition and effectiveness
• Connection to the exhibition theme
• Supporting written comments/reflections to accompany the photograph(s)

Art Category:

• Quality, technique(s) used and effectiveness of the piece.
• Connection to the exhibition theme
• Supporting written comments/reflections to accompany the artwork(s)

Awards:

Over $1000 in monetary prizes in the following categories:

• Art– Student Award
• Art – Best in Show
• Art – Juror’s Choice Award
• Photography – Student Award
• Photography – Best in Show
• Photography – Juror’s Choice Award

All awards announced on Saturday, February 20th live on the Black History Month Virtual Presentation.

Submission Guidelines

Photography Category:

The Museum of Dufferin invites photographers from across Canada working in all styles and schools of thought to participate.

• To enter you must be a resident of Canada.
• To be considered a student, you must be currently attending school (primary, secondary or post-secondary).
• Students (under the age of 18) must have a parent or guardian sign the “Student Waiver”. A waiver will be emailed to you after we receive your submission form. Your work will not be included in the show until the waiver has been returned to the MoD.
• Entries must be made exclusively by the artist. A collaboration is acceptable (a photographer and a digital artist) but must be acknowledged.
• Entries must follow the theme of the exhibition and be photography-based. Digital artistry, edits and additions are permitted. The entry may NOT be a photography of a 2D art-piece.
• A short description/reflection is required. Please tell us about the image (give context), what drew you to take the photograph and any personal reflections.
• Your photograph may be landscape or portrait orientation.
• To enter, the photographer must complete the submission form online (below) and send a digital copy of the photograph(s) via the dropbox request file. The maximum number of entries per photographer is two (2). If there are any issues submitted your photograph please contact Sarah Robinson (Curator) at srobinson@dufferinmuseum.com
• Image files:
• Must be high resolution (300 dpi) in JPEG format
• No larger than 10MB.
• All image files must be saved in the following format:
• Artist Name_Title.jpg
• Example: Ann Cook_Peace at Sunset.jpg
• Your photo entry must be free of any watermarks or logos.
• The photo you submit is the photo that is used for the online exhibition.

Art Category:

The Museum of Dufferin invites artists from across Canada working in all styles and schools of thought to participate. Various mediums (that are NOT photography based) are accepted in this category (2D artwork, mixed media, sculptures, textile work, etc.)

• To enter you must be a resident of Canada.
• To be considered a student, you must be currently attending school (primary, secondary or post-secondary).
• Students (under the age of 18) must have a parent or guardian sign the “Student Waiver”. A waiver will be emailed to you after we receive your submission form. Your work will not be included in the show until the waiver has been returned to the MoD.
• Entries must be made exclusively by the artist. A collaboration is acceptable but must be acknowledged.
• Entries must follow the theme of the exhibition.
• A short description/reflection is required. Please tell us about the artwork (give context), what drew you to create the piece and any personal reflections.
• To enter, the artist must complete the submission form online (below) and send a photograph of your artwork to the dropbox request file. The maximum number of entries per artist is two (2). If there are any issues submitting your photograph please contact Sarah Robinson (Curator) at srobinson@dufferinmuseum.com
• Image files:
• Must be high resolution (300 dpi) in JPEG format
• No larger than 10MB.
• All image files must be saved in the following format:
• Artist Name_Title.jpg
• Example: Ann Cook_Peace at Sunset.jpg
• Your photo entry must be free of any watermarks or logos.
• The photo of your artwork that you submit is the photo that is used for the online exhibition.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Condition

1. The photographs and photographs of artwork submitted will remain in the online digital gallery for the duration of the exhibit (February 9th to March 31st, 2021).
2. The MoD and Dufferin County Canadian Black Association may post use your photographs/photographs of your artwork for marketing and promotion purposes (social media), unless you have not checked the consent box on your application. Your photographs/artwork will be credited appropriately, with name, title of the piece and website (if applicable).
3. The MoD does not hold the rights to the photographs/artwork submitted. The photographs/artwork will be used for the exhibition and promotion of the exhibition only. Once the exhibition has ended all original files are deleted.
4. By applying, you guarantee that the photographs and/or artwork you are submitting is your own creation and you own the rights to use/submit these photographs and/or artwork.
5. By applying, you agree to abide with the submission guidelines and the terms and conditions listed herein.

Important Dates:

Entry Deadline: Monday, February 1st,2021 – 5pm

Notice of Acceptance: Friday, February 5th;2021

Exhibition Opening: Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

Exhibition Closes: March 31st, 2021

Notification of Acceptance: All applicants will be notified by email on Friday, February 5th;2021 with the results. Please, no phone calls or emails before this date.

Questions?

Sarah Robinson;(Curator, Museum of Dufferin) –srobinson@dufferinmuseum.com