Sâkêwêwak's programming history has reflected the emerging needs and growth within the local Aboriginal arts community. During the early days of the organization, programming focused on the need for professional development opportunities. Later, when partnerships were formalized with other centres, exhibitions and film and video screenings were organized on a consistent basis.
In terms of presentation, the community has responded to past projects on a number of levels. Conventional gallery exhibitions continue to receive a high degree of acceptance, based on attendance levels and feedback from our membership. A number of Sâkêwêwak's members, however, have proposed inter-disciplinary projects that suit the kinetic nature of the organization's resources.
Since moving into the present space, Sâkêwêwak has experienced great demand for providing a multi-purpose centre for individuals and groups working independently or in partnership with Sâkêwêwak. As a gathering place, and as a catalyst for ideas and actions from within our community, Sâkêwêwak has played an important role in assisting working artists in developing projects and accomplishing their artistic goals.
The objective of our programming is to present works by Aboriginal artists that are multi-disciplinary in scope including exhibitions in media arts, visual and performing art, traditional cultural arts practices and multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary works.
Exhibitions / Performances
a) Member Exhibition and/or Performance (Group or Solo):To provide the membership with access to Sâkêwêwak's facilities, resources and personnel in the presentation of their own self-determined exhibition and/or performance projects.
b) Submitted Proposal Exhibition and/or Performance:
To provide Aboriginal artists, members or otherwise, access to Sâkêwêwak's facilities, resources and personnel in the presentation of their own self-determined exhibition and/or performance projects.
c) Regional Interchange Exhibition and/or Performance:
To foster an exchange of alternate training experiences, schools of thought, and critical dialogue between Aboriginal artists on an inter-regional level. Due to the wide range of histories, there are many dispersed individuals and communities that have serious need for increased communications among each other to share resources and to participate in the on-going development of contemporary critical theory relative to Aboriginal art practice.
d) Film, Video and New Media Exhibition:
To provide the membership with access to Sâkêwêwak's facilities, resources and personnel in the presentation of their own self-determined productions and to foster audience development for new, experimental works in film, video and digital media.
Workshops/Open Studio Program:
The objective of this program is to provide members and the broader arts community with the opportunity to work alongside and interact with guest artists in a setting geared towards the professional development of the participants.Workshops are designed to complement the Exhibition/Performance activities as much as possible. In this way, a broader frame of reference is developed for those who both participate in the workshops as well as attending the exhibitions or performances.
Resource Centre Program:
The resource centre is to assist and support members in accessing working space, communications, equipment and reference material for the development of artistic practice, criticism, education and training.The Sâkêwêwak Artists' Collective facility is located in the downtown area of Regina and is accessible to members who live nearby and those who use public transit or walk. While Sâkêwêwak continues to utilize other performance and exhibition spaces, accessibility to community is an ongoing priority.
The Sâkêwêwak space and sponsored events provide a diverse membership, many functioning in relative isolation, with opportunities to gather, share, build community and make connections.