Two new members, representing the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions, have joined the NWT Arts Council for two-year terms.
Antoine Mountain is the new member representing the Sahtu. He is Dene, North American First Nations, originally from Rádeyı̨lı̨kóé in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Born to a very artistic family, he grew up around their crafts – sculpting, beading, sewing, and even quillwork. Later, he forged his visual practice through painting, attending art school in Toronto and learning abroad in Florence, Italy. Antoine graduated from the Ontario College of Arts and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and, most recently, received a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University.
Franchesca Hebert-Spence is the new member representing the Beaufort Delta. Currently residing in Inuvik, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Franchesca Hebert-Spence is Anishinaabe (member of Sagkeeng First Nation) from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her grandmother, Marion Ida Spence, was from Sagkeeng First Nation on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hebert-Spence has worked as a cultural producer with a background in making, curating, research, and administration. She has described her curatorial practice as “snacks and chats,” the foundation of which stems from Ishkabatens Waasa Gaa Inaabateg, Brandon University Visual and Aboriginal Arts program. She is the Curator of Indigenous Ceramics at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, and previously the Curatorial Assistant within the Indigenous Art Department at the National Gallery of Canada. She is a PhD candidate in Cultural Mediations (Visual Culture) at Carleton University and Fellow of the Norval Morrisseau Project. Her writing examines the presence of guest/host protocols within Indigenous methodological practices with a focus on visual art in Canada.
These new members bring valuable insight, expertise, and passion for the arts. They will be meaningful additions to the council and advise the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on financial awards for creative artistic projects in film and media arts, visual, literary and performing arts, and issues and policies associated with the arts and artists.
For media requests, please contact:
Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
[email protected]
867-767-9352 Ext. 71073