Alberta Focus Initiative: Canada Council Information Sessions

These in-person information sessions provide the opportunity to learn more about the Canada Council, meet program officers and engage with the Alberta-based liaison consultants.

Each session will include a 45-minute presentation about Canada Council programs, and a 30-minute question-and-answer period. Canada Council employees will be available afterwards for one-on-one conversations.

Please note that spaces are limited. Please register in advance!

Michelle Schultz, Arts Liaison Consultant

Michelle Deanne Schultz is an art consultant, strategist and curator who has worked in public and private institutions in Canada, the US and the UK for the last 15 years. Since moving back to Edmonton in 2015, her focus has been on Prairie-based artists and institutions. She is often on the road, believing in the importance of building connections for artists nationally and internationally.

In her role as arts liaison consultant, she will work with artists and organizations throughout Alberta, with a focus on metropolitan centres, and build an on-the-ground presence for the Canada Council.

Francine Cunningham, Arts Liaison Consultant

Francine Cunningham is an award-winning writer, artist and educator and is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, in Alberta, but grew up in Calgary, Edmonton, and 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Francine is also Métis and has settler family roots stretching from as far away as Ireland and Belgium. She currently resides in rural southern Alberta where she spends her days writing and mentoring emerging artists.

As part of her role with the Canada Council, Francine will have a special focus on rural Albertans, Indigenous communities both on and off reserve, and those needing extra support with understanding the granting process at the Canada Council, both virtually and in person through information sessions, webinars, and one on one visits. She looks forward to providing information on granting programs, funding opportunities, creating greater connections in the Alberta Arts ecosystem, and looking for ways to make Alberta artists voices heard.

Image credit: Lauren Crazybull, TSIMA KOHTOTSITAPIIHPA, 2020, acrylic paint and oil paint stick on unstretched canvas.
Photo: Blaine Campbell