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Community

Artistic Social Practice

Centre[4]Arts is committed to advancing inclusive and socially responsible art practices that bridge creative innovation with community impact — supporting artists who work at the intersection of art and pressing societal issues.

A large black shopping-cart outline painted over a glass wall covered in a pastel geometric pattern of poster prints.
A performer in a striped shirt and wired harness captured mid-movement in layered, semi-transparent silhouettes.

Art that starts conversations, deepens relationships, and envisions a more equitable future for all.

Whether through our residencies, exhibitions, or public programming, Centre[4]Arts nurtures the creation of artwork that resonates beyond aesthetics. Artistic social practice focuses on engaging underrepresented and marginalized communities and amplifying their diverse voices.

Program Archives

Past projects

A selection of the community-rooted projects we've been proud to be part of. Filter by year to explore residencies, exhibitions, and public programming from across the years.

A large black outline of a shopping cart is painted on a glass building wall covered with a colourful geometric pattern of pastel blue, pink, and yellow poster prints.

Dis[re]placement

Curated by Sonali Menezes, Dis[re]placement transformed urban spaces into platforms for critical dialogue on themes of gentrification, housing insecurity, and community resilience.
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Purple promo graphic with text: Function Keys 4: Conference of New Media & Digital Culture 2018, November 8–11. Top right features a small white outlined computer key illustration with “FK 4” inside.

Function Keys 4

Function Keys 4 was presented by Centre[3] for Artistic + Social Practice at a number of downtown locations, and included a series of talks, performances, workshops, exhibitions, and a makers' showcase.
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An individual wearing a zebra-striped shirt, black leggings, and a harness with wires attached performs a graceful, upward-reaching dance pose. Their movement is captured in layered, semi-transparent silhouettes, creating a sense of motion against a neutral wall and sidewalk.

Hear, Feel, See, What!

Hear, Feel, See What! was a collaborative soundscape installation that invited visitors to engage with art through multiple senses, offering an immersive experience that encouraged reflection on personal histories and their evolution across time, space, and perspective.
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A white sculpture resembling a person positioned crouched on all fours in the corner of a gallery room with wooden floors and white walls.

Art[4]Change: Unmasking Rape Culture

Art[4]Change: Unmasking Rape Culture was a multifaceted initiative that explored the intersection of contemporary art, gender, and sexuality through the lens of scholars, performances, and visual artists. Artworks addressed various aspects of rape culture, from its roots in colonialism to its manifestations in modern society.
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Event poster for Artscarp: Urban Green. Exhibition runs September 29–December 2, 2017. Opening Reception: September 30, 3–6 pm at Sam Lawrence Park.

Urban Green: Artscarp

The Urban Green: Artscarp project was a significant public art initiative that transformed Sam Lawrence Park into an open-air gallery. The project aimed to engage the public with art in a natural setting, highlighting the intersection of urban life, green spaces, and cultural expression.
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An embroidery hoop displays pastel-coloured thread art, depicting an abstract landscape with a sun and clouds, all stitched on light blue fabric.

Sitelines

Sitelines was a community arts initiative that offered free arts-based workshops and open studio sessions to adults with lived experiences of mental health and addiction challenges, providing a supportive environment for creative expression and skill development.
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-HOME (Hyphenated Home)

-HOME (Hyphenated Home) was a group exhibition that brought together first-generation Canadian artists from across the country to explore the complexities of hyphenated identities and the evolving concept of "home."
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Dark poster with geometric 3D shapes and the text Function Keys 3: Conference Of New Technology & Digital Culture with a stylized keycap labeled "Fnctn Keys 3".

Function Keys 3

Function Keys 3 was a 3-day conference organized by Centre[3] For Print and Media Arts that aimed to explore contemporary ideas and issues in new technologies and digital culture.
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3D block letters in red, yellow, and blue spelling out POP UP SHOP are stacked vertically on a dark background, with small colored blocks floating around the text.

Pop Up Shop

Centre[3]'s Pop Up Shop was an arts initiative presented in conjunction with the 2015 Pan Am Games featuring a series of visual and media art installations that transformed storefronts and public spaces into accessible cultural experiences.
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