Gallery Overview

Artistic Vision

The Woodland Cultural Centre is a cultural educational organization which fosters the historical and contemporary cultures of First Nations. To this end the Centre promotes a positive and progressive image, nationally and internationally by depicting the versatility, distinctiveness and the aesthetic values of contemporary First Nations artists. As well the Centre serves the general public by bringing the visual and performing arts of First Nations artists to a space which will encourage exploration, dialogue and enjoyment. This will be achieved by providing quality collections, exhibitions, public programs and education. The Centre’s guiding themes for this coming years are: 2011-2012 Beauty of Language, Unearthing Perceptions, Humorous Boundaries;2012-2013 Our Stories, Prophecies, Histories;2013-2014Communities, Manifestations of the Earth, Duality.

In the Beginning

In 1975, the Woodland Cultural Centre’s Executive Director Glen Crane found it necessary to include the arts into the Centre’s yearly programming thus developing Indian Art, an annual juried art exhibition the Centre still holds to this day albeit the title has been changed to First Nations Art. First Nations artists working in painting, printmaking, drawing and sculpture did not have an opportunity to show their work in mainstream galleries and the Centre filled this important gap. As a result of this annual exhibit, a collection was established and has grown considerably since its installation. The Centre has been seen and is still considered as one of the foremost leaders and experts in First Nations art. The staff continually strive to seek out emerging First Nations artists, as well as continuing to support mid-career and established artists though the presentation and promotion of their work.

Gallery Programming

The Woodland Cultural Centre has three exhibition spaces: the Tom Hill Gallery totals 1,680 square feet, the E. Judy Harris Gallery totals 660 square feet, and the Stan Hill Gallery totals 100 square feet. These spaces rotate temporary contemporary art and historical exhibitions on a 3 month cycle.

The public programs and projects, provincial, national and international exhibitions are selected and developed in accordance to the year’s curatorial themes by the Executive Director/Artistic Director in conjunction with the Centre’s programming committee. A majority of the visual art exhibitions require a feasibility study and research phase which requires the development of the annual work plans. Some projects take three to five years before the planning phase can become writing into the annual work plans and approved by the Board of Directors. The Centre has a three year planning cycle which is essential to complete all phases of the planning for exhibitions. The Centre has included in our tasks to complete community evaluations and a needs assessment to assist us in our public programming to ensure the communities’ needs are met.

Art Collection

The Centre’s art collection must have material significance, historical and contemporary, with a particular interest in works of art from our support communities which reflects the community’s diversity and high standards of excellence. In a period when theory has dominated contemporary art, our collections often represent the First Nations community in Canada and the personal relationships that the artist has with history on his surroundings, be it a reserve or urban setting. A central goal in building a collection of contemporary art is for permanent display and for special temporary exhibitions that create new audiences to come to the Centre. We believe our presentations are more compelling than ever before and with the creation of multi-media surrounding the works, our objective of bringing art to a wider public is further enhanced. In developing our various programs we are constantly reminded of the great advantage there is to having a contemporary art collection exist within a context of a more broadly based collection of material culture and archaeology. The collection is made available to curators, researchers, educators and the general public. The collection is used as a resource to enhance their discourse and the foundation upon which all gallery programs are built.

Exhibition Submission Guidelines

If you would like to have the artistic staff consider an exhibition of your work, please mail a written proposal to the attention of Janis Monture, Executive Director/Artistic Director, Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk Street, P.O. Box 1506, Brantford, ON N3T 5V6. Generally such a proposal should include a statement of intent, visual representation of the artwork (slides, photocopies, computer prints or CDs - NO original artwork please), a resume and any other relevant materials about the work such as critical reviews, catalogues, etc. Also include an appropriately-sized self-addressed stamped return envelope. Regretfully, we are unable to accommodate email submissions.

We receive numerous exhibition requests throughout the year and while they are considered on a quarterly basisand due to the volume of submissions responses to proposals may take up to 3 months. Ordinarily the Woodland Cultural Centre plans its exhibitions well in advance aiming to have an upcoming exhibition schedule in place for the next 3 years. This provides us with sufficient time to plan and organize major exhibitions as well as related educational, marketing and fundraising initiatives.