Tomiwa Omolayo
Ethan Lyric Photo 2.jpg
Jace Bodner

Call for Applications Closed

SNAC Rise Up Mentorship and GerryFest Program

The SNAC Rise Up Mentorship Program is seeking committed emerging artists to participate in a mentorship program that encourages growth, professional development, collaboration and promotes racial equity. The program includes group and one-on-one in-person mentorship workshops with professional artists and an invitation to perform live on stage or exhibit visual work at GerryFest on Thursday August 15, 2024.

We encourage those to apply for this opportunity who are:

  • a visual, performance based artist or writer that is serious about their craft but would benefit from one on one or group mentorships from professional artists.

  • 18 years of age or older before June 30, 2024.

  • an artist from a racialized, Indigenous, newcomer and/or member of a community underrepresented or underserved in the artistic sector.

  • someone who believes that they could move their art practice to a professional level with encouragement, skill building and guidance.

  • available to commit to meeting on Sundays June 2 to August 25, 12-5 PM in-person at the St. Norbert Arts Centre (travel assistance may be available), and one 30-minute virtual meeting during the week with the Artistic Director.

Dates: Programs run between June 2 and August 25.
Fees: Programs are free of charge for participants selected through the application process but sponsorship by an organization is encouraged.

How to Apply:

  • Read through the application form or download the fillable document

  • Collect requested samples of your work

  • Fill out the online application or fillable document and attach all supporting materials. If you are unable to link within the application, send them via email to snac@snac.mb.ca and ashleybieniarz@gmail.com.

ASHLEY BIENIARZ | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Ashley Bieniarz, also known as Kwiat, is a multi-talented and award-winning music industry professional based in Winnipeg. Dedicated to community, songcraft, and representing her cultures, she has worked tirelessly to mitigate barriers for marginalised individuals while creating inspiration and opportunities for others. Notably, in 2023, she was honoured with the inaugural Women in Music Honour Roll award for her outstanding work with Songsmiths, a program that celebrates and supports Canadian innovators and creators. As the first Indigenous woman from Manitoba to receive this commendation, Ashley is making significant strides. Most recently, she acted as the Artistic Director for the RiseUp Mentorship and GerryFest program at St. Norbert Arts Centre and collaborated on an Indigenous Languages and Culture Program grant to revitalise and reclaim Indigenous languages through partnerships with LyricFind and Red Music Rising.

Having completed her role as interim Indigenous Music Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music in 2022, she is well-versed in grants and actively contributes to initiatives promoting gender equity in audio recording and music production. Ashley has a vision of evolving Songsmiths into an artist services and publishing house that incorporates Indigenous knowledge and leadership practices to provide greater benefits and support to the artists she works with. As Kwiat, she will be releasing her debut single in the fall of 2023, co-produced with Hawksley Workman and mixed by George Seara.

For more information about the Rise Up Mentorship Program, feel free to email us at snac@snac.mb.ca.

If you have any questions or require assistance while completing the application, you can email Rise Up Mentorship & GerryFest Artistic Director Ashley Bieniarz at ashleybieniarz@gmail.com.

Time Capsule

Gerry Fest Mentorship 2023 - Rise Up

On August 12, 2023, SNAC hosted the Annual GerryFest in honour of Gerry Atwell, a musician, writer, community builder, and mentor to many, who was involved at SNAC in various roles for over 25 years. GerryFest 2023 featured the work of the program participants who completed SNAC’s Rise Up Mentorship program. They were invited to exhibit visual art in the Women of Vision Gallery or perform live at the Gerry Atwell Amphitheatre.  SNAC partnered with Black History Manitoba for this year's event and received funding support from FACTOR Canada. 

Artistic Director: Ashley Bieniarz

Artistic Director: Ashley Bieniarz (Kwiat)

Mentors: Stephen Carroll of Manitoba Film & Music; Cathleen Enns of Manitoba Arts Council; Claire Boning of Misfit Music Management; Chole Chafe of Synonym Arts Consultation; Ami Cheon; JayWood; Begonia; Dan St. Yves; Naomi Gerrard; Lisa Whitehouse & More; Alex Sannie of Manitoba Music

Mentees

  • Shay Wolf

    Singer Songwriter

  • Xiaojun "Ada" Zhang

    Visual Artist using paitning and embroidery

  • Kozii

    Hip-hop/rap artist and song writer

  • Kwea Kobain

    Hip-hop Artist

  • Tega

    R&B and Pop Singer Songwriter

  • Zen Thompson

    Visual Artist and Film Maker

  • RJ Martinez

    Rock Fusion Musician

  • Emmanual Bonger

    Bassist and vocalist of ‘spectrums.’

  • Allie James

    multi-genre singer-songwriter

GerryFest 2022 Mentorship - Love Letters to Community

Gerry Fest Mentorship program is about how each mentee feels life and wants to share it with us.   The program provides a secure, intimate place to nourish and inform artistic growth.  We'd like to thank you all for attending Gerry Fest and for supporting the Gerry Atwell Endowment fund.  We'd like to thank every mentee and mentor as they've placed their trust in the process of creation in the valleys of vulnerability.  We'd like to thank the Committee and SNAC for supporting this vision.  Gerry believed in the mutli-faceted world of art. It never has one voice or one face.  It's to be explored and it's magic honoured.  Gerry meant so much to so many people. This mentorship is a way to keep his spirit present and actions within reach to observe & follow. 

Artistic Director: Elliott Walsh (Nestor Wynrush)

Mentors: Ogo Okumabua, Sonya Ballantayne, Jen Doerksen, Jaywood, Ashley (Kwiat), Luther Mallory

Mentees:

Cosmic River (Eric Lavoie) He/Him — Musician, Mary Clare "Clary" Ines — Graphic Design/ Visual Artist, Daisy Caneda — Musician, Kara Rose — Musician, Anuna Oman Ojwato — Visual Artist & Fashion, Destiny Wilby She/Her — Musician, Ryan Cameron — Novelist , Isaac Kelly Kirugi — Photography, Jocelyn Chorney She/He — Poet/ Multi discipline

Guest Facilitators: Naomi Gerrard, Louise May, Sharon Mctyre, Judy Williams, Pheobe Man

Community Partners: African Super Creative Arts Centre, Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Black History Manitoba, CEDA, Manitoba Music, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg - Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, Tech Voc High Schoo, The Holistic Ongoing Opportunities Development-Facilitation and Management Services Inc.  or The HOODFAMS Inc., Aurora Farm, Manitoba Art Council, Factor, Government of Canada

GerryFest 2021 & SNAC Mentorship Project – Raising New Voices

On August 13, 14 & 15, 2021 SNAC hosted the second Annual GerryFest in honour of our long time supporter and mentor, Gerry Atwell who passed away suddenly in November, 2019.

This year’s GerryFest featured the works of nine mentees who completed the Raising New Voices mentorship program that SNAC launched in February 2021.  The mentorship program was supported with a grant from the Manitoba Government, Ethnocultural Community Support Program.  Emerging artists were referred to this project by community organizations with a specific goal to invite artists to this training program from communities underrepresented in arts sectors. 

Raising New Voices - Each One, Teach One - Action/Liberation/Healing Through Community/Relationship Building 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : Brendan Kinley

MENTORS : Ashley Au, Sierra Noble, Franklin Fernando

MENTEE’S : Kelvin Bett – Visual Artist, Jace Bodner – Musician & Songwriter, Emmanuel Bongar – Filmmaking, Jibu Kamabu - Visual Artist, Albert Kandie - Writer, Ethan Lyric – Musician & Songwriter, Pajack Obeing – Visual Artist, Tomiwa Omolayo - Musician & Producer, Allen Odongoh – Visual Artist

GUEST FACILITATORS : Phoebe Man, Louise May, Yisa Akinbolaji, Judy Williams, Naomi Gerrard

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS : Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, The Holistic Ongoing Opportunities Development Facilitation and Management Services Inc. (HoodFams), Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba – Stronger Together, Kenya Association, Black History Manitoba, The Community Education Development Association (CEDA)