ArtsCan Circle

Twenty years since a chance encounter between Indigenous Youth and our founder, Mike Stevens, Canada’s silence in confronting the inequalities facing First Nations, Metis, Innu and Inuit communities is more deafening than ever. Inspired by their story and those of Indigenous youth coast to coast, Artscan Circle began a journey of its time to let me know they matter and raise their voices to Canada and the world. Our mission is ART DIPLOMACY. Simply put, we co-create safe spaces and creative stages where Indigenous Youth can thrive. Through art-based programming, we open pathways of opportunity for Indigenous Youth to access creativity and express themselves in healthy ways. In doing so, we aim to create empathy and inspire action that serves their rights, interests and futures. Artscan Circle is a creative bridge between Indigenous communities and Canada’s capacity to change. We invoke dialogue about the past, present and future we share through the reformative power of art. Our programs are a canvas for youth and a model for co-creation under the Truth and Reconciliation, Call to Action #83. Since then, ArtsCan Circle has sent artists to over 16 communities to facilitate creative art workshops for the youth. In addition, they have shipped over 40,000 harmonicas and countless violins, keyboards, fiddles, ukuleles, and guitars, and they have impacted over 10,000 Indigenous youth. The workshops include virtual arts, filming, recording, creative writing, drama, poetry, harmonica, keyboard, guitar, beatboxing, beading, and inspirational talks and performances.