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I first learned about ICAI through word of mouth and online communities dedicated to artists. Joining this community has been a transformative experience for my artistic growth. Interacting with a diverse and talented group of individuals within ICAI has exposed me to a multitude of perspectives and styles, significantly impacting my musical influence. The collaborative nature of ICAI has facilitated meaningful connections, allowing me to learn from the experiences and insights of fellow artists. Whether through shared knowledge, collaborative projects, or simply engaging conversations, the community has become a rich source of inspiration for my creative endeavours. The collective energy and support within ICAI have played a crucial role in shaping my artistic path, and I am grateful for the impact it has had on my journey so far.

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I had the good fortune of discovering the IAMP program at just the right time. The positive feedback from previous participants only fueled my enthusiasm. So, when I was informed of my acceptance as one of ten mentees in the program's second cohort, I was ecstatic. My mentor, Aldona Barutowicz, has been an invaluable resource throughout the program, offering guidance, networking opportunities, and insightful advice on navigating the arts sector in Calgary to achieve my art and career aspirations. Aldona's mentorship instilled in me the value of "paying it forward" and motivating others. It came full circle when I was chosen as the Mentor in Residence at ICAI.

The IAMP from ICAI isn't just about one-on-one mentor sessions. It's a well-rounded program that includes different learning sessions ( PD Sessions) :Learning about Indigenous History and Arts, Meeting Important People in Calgary's Arts Scene, Getting Better at Finding Jobs and Networking, Improving Your Branding and Promotion Skills, Understanding Grants, Fees, Contracts, and More. For me these sessions were not just helpful; they're like a toolkit that equips you with what you need to succeed in your artistic journey. The program goes beyond just having a mentor and ensures you're well-prepared for the real-world challenges of being an artist.

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My introduction to ICAI came through my partner, who has a background in the theatre field and shared valuable insights about the organization. Without ICAI's support, I wouldn't have had the privilege of showcasing my work in the ‘Bodhi, Passion Sunlight’ exhibition at the Calgary Public Library. Moreover, they paved the way for my debut performance at Arts Commons, marking a pivotal moment in my career. ICAI has played a pivotal role in nurturing my artistic journey, and I'm sincerely grateful for their unwavering support.

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Upon immigrating to Canada, I faced the challenge of establishing myself and my art in a new country. Building connections and finding venues to exhibit one's work can be a daunting task. However, with the support of organizations like ICAI, I had the opportunity to showcase some of my pieces for the first time last year at Art Commons. It was an exhilarating experience and marked the beginning of a promising journey in Canada.

Being an artist is a demanding endeavour worldwide, and for immigrant artists, the challenges can be even more formidable. Many artists find themselves compelled to work in fields other than their art. I hope that organizations like ICAI can continue to offer support to immigrant artists, facilitating meaningful connections between artists and their audiences. Workshops and exhibitions play a pivotal role in nurturing this essential relationship between artists and the wider community.

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I found ICAI to be a really beautiful community of artists. I loved the idea of learning from her and seeing the kind of work ICAI is doing, and most of all to be a part of the community. I am passionate about providing support where I can and to also feel and enjoy the support and the love in return.

Being a part of an artist community is really at the core of what drew me into ICAI.

The months spent in the Immigrant Arts Mentorship Program were full of life changing encounters. Having a mentor (Meghan Goguen) that I could sit with every week and chat about my worries, my fears, my dreams, my goals and just have her listen to me and make suggestions, or even recommend me for awards and write recommendation letters, or just come up with a crazy idea and encourage me to go for it was incredible.

​That mentorship experience meant so much to me, giving me companionship above all else.

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Without ICAI, I wouldn’t be able to have such rapid growth in Calgary without the connections and the knowledge.

ICAI's monthly sessions with some of the top artists and art administrators in the city were highly informative. Some of the grant opportunities available were discussed in detail during these sessions. My team at Madhuban Performing Arts and I are applying for one of these grants using the valuable information shared during these sessions.

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ICAI really has given me that boost!​I started seeing more possibilities in this city and felt really positive about building a life here and opportunities for growth artistically and professionally.

I sincerely appreciate the chances that ICAI has offered me as an artist and the ongoing opportunities it creates. Even after completing the program, ICAI continues to keep me motivated and focused on my artistic aspirations. Their social media platforms inspire my growth as an artist as I observe the other artists and initiatives that ICAI endorses.

​Meeting people at ICAI, my mentor, and other artists who share similar journeys was really humbling. I thought I was alone in my journey and isolation and having a hard time connecting with other artists or pivoting to a more creative life in general.

I started seeing more possibilities in this city and felt really positive about building a life here and opportunities for growth artistically and professionally. Doors started to finally open.

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I heard about the program through ICAI’s website as I was doing a lot of research on how I can establish myself here as an artist here and I found this opportunity. I got excited about it with Mario and we applied together! We realized it’s a good opportunity for us because of course we are still very new here and wanted to evolve here in our artistic practice.

I believe we can learn more about the culture here and the community here through such opportunities. We got to engage with our mentors and we are so lucky to have those relationships and that built rapport with them.

Our goal was to learn more about the arts community here from IAMP. That was what I was expecting, meeting more people in the arts as well as understanding how things actually work here, so IAMP was really helpful in that regard.

Art is directly related to culture. How can one pursue the arts without understanding the culture here? So I think ICAI has lent us a lot of knowledge about the land, the original caretakers, and the more you know about these things, the more engaging art you can create.

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Knowing that here I can find a program that is specific to helping immigrants in the arts, and to help artists stay artists, to support them to keep doing their work even after immigration - that’s really amazing.

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Finding ICAI was a huge uplifting light. For the first time in a very long time someone was encouraging me to go towards my chosen path. I was told to not let the negativity stop me from doing what I love and be ​myself again.

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What we've done is take a master group of local, more established artists in this city and pair them with newcomer artists who are really proficient in their skill set, but perhaps aren't really settled into the creative community and Calgary yet. And with the help of ICAI we've been able to connect with really incredible artists and develop sort of these long term relationships that have been really interesting and fruitful.

We love ICAI. I think it's really incredible that a small arts organization in this city is focused on equity and making sure that the work that we're creating reaches people in a real way outside of the traditional margins of who historically has been able to access the arts. It's really cool to see another organization like ICAI tackle a similar mission as us but in such a different way and doing it so successfully.

We're always trying to find ways to connect with the team at ICAI, because they’re just so great. I think it's such a wonderful pool of artists ICAI is connected with, that we otherwise would not have contact with.

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My first experience and interaction with ICAI was such a blessing. Connecting with Toyin Oladele, the Executive Director and Founder of ICAI was truly an honor, especially thinking about the First Nations people who have been here for a long time and connecting them to newcomers and the community. Doing the Treaty work is really key and making sure that everyone is given importance and respect.

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