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North Slave Region
This centrally located region encompasses both boreal and tundra terrain, stretching between the Territory’s’ two biggest lakes. This is home to the Tłı̨chǫ, Akaitcho and Yellowknives Dene, along with a diverse group of residents from across the country and the globe, that together weave a rich cultural tapestry in the territory’s capital city.
This land is a bountiful resource for local harvesters and artists who use raw materials from the land. Traditional arts and fine crafts preserve the region’s unique style and pass traditional knowledge onto future generations. Clothing and accessories are made from locally tanned moose or caribou hides and adorned with intricate designs of beadwork or quillwork. The centuries-old tradition of drum making is a vital part of this area’s history and is being preserved through workshops and documentary films.
The capital city of Yellowknife is an eclectic, multi-cultural mix of artists and art forms. Storytellers, authors and musicians preserve oral history from the region in literary and performance arts. Contemporary artists draw inspiration from the land to create inspiring works of art. Filmmakers and photographers capture and share the spirit of living in the NWT with the world. Yellowknife’s vibrant arts scene continues to grow in diversity and frequency, with arts events happening weekly, if not nightly.
Use our online tool to learn Where to Buy NWT Art in the North Slave Region.
Or download printable, translated documents (PDFs):
Where to Buy NWT Art in Yellowknife: English, French (français), German (Deutsch), Japanese (日本語)
Events
Yellowknife
August
Date: August 2nd, 2019 to August 4th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Old Town
The Ramble and Ride is a free eco-friendly festival held annually in the historic area of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories on the August long weekend. The 2019 festival marks the 13th edition of Old Town's beloved festival is a local favorite!
Every summer Old Town comes alive with multiple stages featuring local musicians, artist demonstrations, local vendors, public art projects, art workshops, Trash-formation art show, buskers, old time YK movie house, spoken word and poetry, grand prize diamond draw, walking tours, a children's area complete with bouncy castle, story telling,...
Date: August 6th, 2019 to August 9th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: MusicSpace - 5016 50th Ave - Lower Level
Afternoons only (1-4pm) at Music Space.
Come experience the creative fun of writing songs with Carmen Braden! Participants will work on brainstorming, writing, editing and performing songs as a group and on their own. We’ll explore sounds and compositions too. This is the perfect camp for teens songwriting for the first time or those looking for some practice and mentorship.
Experience playing an instrument or sing encouraged!
Date: August 7th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern United Place
The Government of the Northwest Territories drafting a new NWT Arts Strategy. The Strategy will provide the government with renewed priorities that support the arts industry, clarify roles and responsibilities, and increase collaboration between all stakeholders. Our next step is Action Planning and we want your help!
Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Northern United Place
Le gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest met au point une Stratégie sur les arts des TNO. Elle permettra d’établir de nouvelles priorités visant à appuyer l’industrie des arts...
Date: August 10th, 2019 to August 11th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: WAMP / Western Arctic Moving Pictures
HackSpace NT + the NWTCC will be hosting a FREE 2 day workshop for youth (aged 12-18) that will explore different creative uses of technology. There will be three exploratory stations available:
Paint your 3D self- Participants will be shown how to 3D scan, print and paint a small model of themselves.
Make your own instrument- Participants will be able to construct their own synthesizers and music players using Little Bits
Art Robot- Participants will Learn how to construct and Control Robots that can Draw
Limited Seats, Ages 12-18, Tickets through Eventbrite...
Date: August 12th, 2019 to August 16th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: MusicSpace - 5016 50th Ave - Lower Level
Come experience the creative fun of writing songs with Carmen Braden and Mary Kelly! Participants will work on brainstorming, writing, editing and performing songs as a group and on their own. We’ll explore sounds and compositions and play games too! This is the perfect camp for musical kids looking to explore songwriting and composition.
Ability to play an instrument or sing required!
Drop off 8:30-9. Pick-up 4-4:30. At Music Space.
Bring Lunch + a Snack! Picnic Lunches at Somba Ke Park.
Date: August 19th, 2019 to August 23rd, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Saxifrage Studio
August 19-23, 2019
Ages 6-12
Cost $295
In this week students will have fun building art from recycled materials collected from Yellowknife’s famed dump. Art Projects include: Steam Punk Fish, Van Gogh’s Recycled Sunflowers, Disco Dragons, light bulb wire insects and more…
Date: August 19th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Calling all artists and arts professionals working in the Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, area: join us at the PWNHC • CPSPG on Monday, August 19 for a conversation about the arts in the Northwest Territories with Canada Council Director and CEO Simon Brault. This meeting will provide members of the artistic community with an opportunity to hear about the Canada Council’s funding approach and recent investments in the Northwest Territories directly from Simon Brault and to share some of its successes and challenges.
Julie Dobbin, program officer for Creating, Knowing and Sharing...
Date: August 29th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Centre Square Mall, Unit #78 (Old BMO Space)
In his work, artist Moritz Geremus uses computers and synthesizers to play live music and visual imagery at the same time. During his residency period in Yellowknife, he has worked on creating new sounds, photographs and video's that are all together forming a three-part composition. This will be played live for the first time during this evening.
Moritz's performance will be followed by a lecture on the history and concepts of visual music and how it relate's to Moritz work.
***TEASER*** https://vimeo.com/353025735...
Date: August 31st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: TBD
Calling all treasure seekers—there are many gems to be found along the Frame Lake trail!
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Before winter sets upon us, Northern Arts and Cultural Centre is presenting a new music and arts festival to give summer a proper send-off. Featuring some of Yellowknife's finest artists, the trail will become a prospector's dream. Find them all, and you just might win real treasure.
Artists will be stationed along the trail. Get a passport at the entrance and ask a friendly volunteer to mark your passport at each station.
Find every artist and submit your...
September
Date: September 1st, 2019 to September 4th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Blachford Lake Lodge and Wilderness Resort
This three-night/ four-day photography workshop, will be held in a retreat setting, held at Blachford Lake Lodge and Wilderness Resort, northern Canada's premiere all-season eco-lodge. During the day, there will be workshop sessions, where participants will be instructed in various tips, settings, and compositional techniques, which they can put to use in the evenings during our in-field exercises. Our evenings will be spent capturing images of the Aurora Borealis and enjoying bonfire pits, an Aurora viewing lounge, and a hot tub. As well, there will be time to enjoy activities around the...
Date: September 3rd, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern United Place
New and returning singers with Aurora Chorealis are invited to an evening of socializing and music. It's a great chance to see what a night with the choir is like. Come out to our new version of a meet & greet! A wine and cheese night AND the first rehearsal for Aurora Chorealis. Hear from the Board and Choir Conductors at 7:30pm and end the night with some singing.
If new singers are interested in joining Aurora Chorealis, voice placements* can be done between 6:00 - 7:30pm.
* Voice placements will be held at the Meet and Greet Sept 3th. For more information about the...
Date: September 21st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: 6 Heal Court
Looking for a fun project to do with your child? Sign up for our Parent and me sign making workshop. Ages 6 and up. Both Parent and child will work on their own project but will be working together. Each will choose between two different signs.
October
Date: October 25th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
Tiffany Panel Lamp Workshop with Tracy Durham of Bissett Stained Glass Edmonton
Prerequisite - You must have completed a beginners class in Tiffany / copper foil technique.
You must choose your pattern from those available and order your materials to prepare your panels in advance of the workshop . Francine Dennis will be available at the Guild Tuesday evenings beginning August 6 at 7:00 pm to assist you with ordering materials and preparing your panels for the workshop. Tracy will bring the necessary hardware with her when she comes for the workshop.
Materials fees to...
