NIA Centre encourages Toronto artists to ‘Keep that Energy’

BY SELINA McCALLUM

The NIA Centre for the Arts is a Toronto-based charitable organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the Afro-Diaspora. In Swahili, Nia means purpose.

The organization released a one-and-a-half-minute video on their social media at the end of May, which celebrates all artists and highlights a few black artists that the NIA Centre has worked with. The video was made in collaboration with Pique Studios.

“You inspire more people than you realize. And during these times, we look to you for hope,” said the narrator in the beginning of the video.

Shots of artists singing, dancing, editing and playing instruments at home flash on the screen as the narrator continues to speak about creating or not creating in these uncertain times.

 “Those who are creating, and those who aren’t. Those who are surviving, thriving, or just getting by,” says the narrator.

Alica Hall, the Executive Director of the NIA Centre, is responsible for the overall organization and projects.

“It was in early April that we started to think about doing something. We know that artists are already vulnerable given the unpredictable nature of the creative industry. They’re usually unemployed and doing precarious jobs or working really hard to make ends meet in order to also fund and support their careers as artists,” said Hall. “So, artists have been particularly hard hit. We were really hearing from folks about the sense of loss.”

The NIA Centre is committed to connecting community members to artistic and cultural experiences all year.

It was initially funded through the Youth Challenge Fund in 2008 to address the roots of youth violence and disengagement.

Since then, NIA Centre has connected thousands of young people and emerging youth artists to mentors and opportunities in art and employment. The Centre has offered programs in music, spoken word, literature, visual arts, theatre, dance and interdisciplinary arts often in partnership with artists and arts organizations.

“We are consistently raising awareness that we’re creating a space for black people to gather, experiment art and reflect with our community and on our narratives. We want to create a legacy for the black community in Toronto and Canada,” said Hall.

Hall speaks on her favourite part about working with NIA Centre.

“Working with artists is the most rewarding part of the work that I do. Being able to support an artist whether it’s providing folks with opportunities to grow in their careers or better understanding how to navigate the arts world. Anytime I get the opportunity to work with, collaborate and present with an artist is a great feeling,” said Hall.

Hall recognizes that now more than ever before, people are turning to and appreciating art, and she wanted to ensure artists knew that when they saw the video.

“Many of us at home are turning to artists to keep us inspired, learning, and entertained. We’re reading books, watching shows, and listening to music. We wanted to celebrate black artists in particular and what they’re doing during this time. Whether they are using their energy to create or rest,” said the Executive Director. “We wanted to recognize that artists are helping us get through these times and we wanted to honour the creativity and strength of our community.”

One of the very talented black artists NIA and Hall has worked with is Alexis Eke, an illustrator and graphic designer from Toronto. Eke first worked with the NIA Centre earlier this year in February for Black History Month.

“To me I feel like the video was portraying how everyone has come up with their own way to create, whether that’s digital art or performance art. It was a way to be more personal with the artistic community in Toronto,” said Eke. “I think it was a video to make us all feel a bit more like a community.”

Eke’s artwork is inspired by renaissance portraits and traditional Japanese art. She aims to illustrate black women in a contemporary light. Eke has worked with extremely well-known brands like Nike Jordan, Adidas, and Palm Bay Spritz.

“A huge theme in my artwork is portraits of black women. I’m really passionate about expanding the representation in the artistic community and having more people who look like me in art and showing their art in galleries,” said Eke. “There needs to be more representation in the artistic community for black female designers and artists. Representation encourages the younger black artists who are considering a career in art to feel encouraged when they see another black artist in the same field.”

The Executive Director of the NIA Centre says what the slogan for the video ‘Keep that energy’ means to her.

“Keep that energy, to me, speaks to this moment that we have to rest if possible while investing in ourselves. I think that investment can take many forms, it can be, taking time to read, taking time to live a well-balanced life, and doing things that you haven’t been able to do. Keep that energy to me, is about positive vibes and really utilizing this time that we have, focusing on things that are keeping you positive and uplifted,” said Hall.