SK Arts’ recent grant deadlines yielded two grants for Moose Jaw – Jared Robinson received $4,010 for a new camera, and the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery (MJMAG) received $1,000 towards finding an Indigenous Curator-in-Residence.
“I do a lot of work with artists outside, recording their music, including music videos, and a lot of post-production for visuals,” Robinson told MooseJawToday.com. “Along with a lot of work that I’ve been doing with the Chamber of Commerce and re-branding the Tunnels of Moose Jaw over the last couple of years. And a number of other projects with the city and with Tourism Moose Jaw. It was just time to level up some of my equipment.”
Robinson said the opportunity for the grant from SK Arts was a great way to help manage some of the cost of equipment purchases. The money will go toward a Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Pro.
According to their website, SK Arts is the oldest public arts funder in North America and second oldest in the world after the Arts Council of Great Britain. At the most recent grant deadlines, SK Arts awarded funding to more than 100 individuals and organizations, totaling almost $840,000. SK Arts funding supports a variety of initiatives, including arts programs, professional artists, community art projects, and art education in schools.
Robinson is the owner and sole operator of Nebulus Entertainment in Moose Jaw. He is known around the world for his work in music recording, photography, video, editing, producing, music composition, orchestral scoring – he has a wide variety of skills. Last year, his music was featured in a commercial for James Cameron’s MasterClass. That same week, The Scott Benson Band – for which he is the keyboardist and producer – went gold in Europe.
“The world of entertainment, if you will, there’s a lot of expense that comes along with it,” Robinson said wryly. “It’s not an inexpensive industry to keep up with. It’s extremely appreciated that Sask Arts would have something like this.”
MJMAG grant from the Artists in Communities – Development fund
MJMAG’s director and curator, Jennifer McRorie, explained that the $1000 grant they received will help them pursue a “curator-in-residence.”
“It’ll be somebody who’s an Indigenous curator, and they’ll be contracted for what’s usually a year period.” McRorie said this is a goal MJMAG has had for quite a while. Along with some of their own money, the grant will help pay for the time of the museum’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. The advisory committee will consult to determine the goals of an indigenous curator-in-residence, and source someone to fill that role.
“Our Indigenous curator would engage with the Indigenous collection at the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, and rethink some of the displays to make sure that they’re culturally appropriate, and accurate as well,” McRorie explained.
“We feel that it’s really important to have an Indigenous voice leading those decisions and leading how Indigenous questions are presented.”
As this is only the first step in the process of recruiting a curator-in-residence, there is no guarantee yet that that goal will be fulfilled. Nevertheless, McRorie said, they’re hopeful. Part of MJMAG’s strategic plan and organizational values are for closer consultation with the Indigenous community, which will also help address the Truth and Reconciliation call to action for museums.
MJMAG’s latest exhibit is opening this Saturday. Susan Shantz’ Confluence “encourages viewers to consider the interconnectedness and fragility of our water sources, the environmental impacts of human progress on our water systems and how these impacts will ultimately affect us all.”
