Presentations:

Art & Belonging

Anna J. McIntyre, Freelancer/Artistsinspire (ELAN)

Jacqueline van de Greer, Artist & Educator

“77% of Canadians agree or strongly agree that arts experiences help people feel part of their local community. This is especially true for newcomers and people in minority-language communities.” (Vital Signs: Arts & Belonging, published by the Community Foundations of Canada and Canadian Arts Presenting Association, April 2017)

In this talk, Montreal-based artist-educators Jacqueline van der Geer and Anna Jane McIntyre present their findings on art and belonging working in anti-oppression education initiatives within Quebec’s English-language minority community. They have designed activities for a variety of age groups and populations. Their community-based facilitations have been conducted in a wide range of settings, including alternative learning spaces, as well as public and private English-language schools.

Art & Belonging takes the form of a multilayered audio-visual storytelling and participatory discussion featuring the lessons, inspirations, resources, insights and observations collected from their many years of experience in Quebec. This presentation centres on sharing the hows, whys and whats of their approaches to facilitation, with a particular focus on how arts philosophies may be incorporated into any field of study to foster excitement, inclusive learning contexts, self-directed learning, innovation, looking to similarities as opposed to differences, meeting problems as exciting opportunities for invention, engagement, collaboration skillsets, entrepreneurship as an art form, life-long learning, resilience, empathy, connection, healthy community building, friendship, increased learning potential, rapport, self-actualised expression, confidence and a maximum of creativity to transformative ends within Quebec’s English-language communities. 

Ma place est ici!/I belong here!: Empowering English speaking youth to explore their sense of belonging within Quebec society...in French!

Rachelle Dutil, University of Quebec in Montreal

Zeina Maatouk, University of Quebec in Montreal 

Marc-Albert Paquette, LEARN 

Emma Legault, LEARN

Valerie Amireault, University of Quebec in Montreal

This communication presents the ‘Ma place est ici! / I belong here!’ (LEARN) project, which aims to engage students in language learning through the arts and community engagement. Throughout this project-based learning experience, students are encouraged to explore their identity and sense of belonging within Quebec society while enhancing their French Second Language skills. We present the highlights of this project and the different inspiring options for teachers and students. We also discuss the results of a study undertaken to better understand the perceived impact of the ‘Ma place est ici! / I belong here!’ project, namely related to 1) the role and impact of artists and other members of the broader community in the classroom and 2) the students and teachers’ perspectives on the role of language in relation to the students’ sense of belonging within Quebec society.