Kaz Curtis: 2025/26 Boyle Street Community Services Artist-in-Residence

Kaz Curtis began his 12-month term as the 2025/26 Boyle Street Artist-In-Residence earlier this fall working out of a dedicated workspace at Boyle Street Community Services. Working closely with the community there, the residency sits at the intersection of the arts and social services. It provides Kaz with the time, space and resources to pursue his creative goals while developing BSCS’ creative community.

Kaz’s vision for the residency includes listening to the community, offering workshops, and co-creating events, culminating with a public showcase. Drawing on elements of Hip Hop by using ​“graffiti, emcee/​poetry, DJ, and breakin’ artforms as an entry point for self-expression,” Kaz plans to provide residency participants with ​“opportunities to experiment and determine what elements would best serve their individual learning styles.”

Speaking of the highly competitive pool of local artists who applied for the opportunity, the EAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Renée Williams, noted that ​“the advisory committee found that Kaz Curtis laid out a well thought out plan that’s both organized and adaptable to what the community needs. The creative way he combines Hip Hop, teaching, and community care in his artistic practice is healing and empowering — making him the ideal choice for this residency.” 

​“Partnering with the Edmonton Arts Council to welcome Kaz as our artist-in-residence is an exciting step for our organization,” says BSCS Executive Director Jordon Reiniger. ​“Access to creative expression and arts learning should be barrier-free, and we are thrilled to see the inspiration, growth, and community connection that Kaz’s presence, talent, and vision will spark across our organization,” Reiniger added.

By the end of the residency, Kaz hopes to establish a model that ​“facilitates community creative consensus-based decision making via existing tools like Poetry Slams, DJ Battles, and Playback Theatre. At its highest potential the BSCS community develops its own tools tailored to its own community culture.”

About Kaz Curtis

Kaz Curtis’ artistic practice has evolved over time from illustrator, to battle emcee, beatmaker, graphic designer, actor, producer/​composer/​arranger, coder, rapper, spoken word artist, animator, educator, to whatever he is now. Kaz was born and raised in Amiskwaciwâskahikan and is of first-generation Caribbean descent. As a multi-disciplinary artist, community builder, and educator, he endeavours to integrate art and media to hold inclusive and equitable space within the inner city.