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London Symphonia Musicians performing in Convent Garden Market Colder weather is here but our programming continues to heat up! With a variety of Belong Youth Art Workshops running into December and ongoing arts activations in the community, now is a great time to experience local artistry and celebrate the change of season!   Thank you to our operational partners for your ongoing support. Your critical funding and partnership provide crucial support for LAC  in maintaining and growing capacity for ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of professional artistic programs and services for our community and the local arts sector. We extend our gratitude to our strategic programming partners whose generosity helps us support the local arts community and artists with meaningful programs and opportunities. PUBLIC ART PROJECTS Artist Olukayode (Kay) Ojo , a Nigerian-born Canadian artist whose work blends contemporary and traditional African influences into a bold, abstract expressionist style exhibits work at RBC Place Gallery, London. His paintings have been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the 2022 Art à la Carte exhibition at the Legislative Building in Toronto. His works are also held in the collections of Museum London and The Art Emporium in Port Stanley. He has painted portraits of notable figures, including former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.   The exhibit at RBC Place Gallery runs August 26 – December 20. Harmonic Reverie – Kay Ojo PROGRAMS AND LEARNING Belong Youth Art Workshops   Belong (Expansion) Youth Art Workshops with an Indigenous Focus at N’shwaasnangong Family Centre are running every Wednesday from   September 10 to November 26 . The Indigenous focus of these workshops offer participants the chance to make art under direction from Indigenous artists. Participants will get the chance to design moccasin Vamps, print with medicine plants, work with beading, look at zine making as well as make painted medicine pouches and cradleboard brooches.   Expanded Belong Youth Art Workshops at Crouch, SLNRC, GCCRC, LUSO and NWLNRC.  Programs are running from September 12 to December 20 at five different Community Centres across the city, Belong Youth Art Workshops run each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   Relevant dates/timeline: Crouch, 525 Hamilton Rd | Mondays 4:30 - 6:30pm, Sept. 15 - Dec. 8 SLNRC, 1119 Jalna Blvd | Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 18 - Dec. 4 GCCRC, 244 Adelaide St. South | Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30pm, Oct. 8 - Dec. 17 LUSO, Stoney Creek Library, 920 Sunningdale Rd | Fridays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 12 - Dec. 5 NWLNRC, 1225 Wonderland Rd | Saturdays 2:00 - 4:00pm, Sept. 27 - Dec. 20 ARTS ACTIVATIONS Every week the downtown core is activated with live, local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund  including performances at Covent Garden Market every Saturday from 8:30am - 1:00pm! Also on Saturdays, we have sound techs at High Street Bar and Grill assisting with their open mic nights (open to the general public) from 8:00pm - 12:00am.    Check out the full schedule on our Activations Calendar .  NEWS Earlier this month we wished a happy retirement to Rebekah Morrison-Wize, Officer, Arts Investments, after 21 years with our organization! "I am so very thankful for the opportunities given and relationships developed and enjoyed as a member of the LAC team. It has been my honour and my privilege to serve the arts sector and community of London."

Extravabandza 2025 Opening Ceremonies Speakers (Jackson Dean) Fall is officially here, and with it brings new opportunities, new ways to engage in our community, and a chance to look back on what has already taken place this month.   Thank you to our operational partners for your ongoing support. Your critical funding and partnership provide crucial support for LAC  in maintaining and growing capacity for ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of professional artistic programs and services for our community and the local arts sector. We extend our gratitude to our strategic programming partners whose generosity helps us support the local arts community and artists with meaningful programs and opportunities. INDIGENOUS LONDON ARTS Photo of artist Billy Bert Young in front of "Chorus City" In Conversation: Janet Antone and Emily Schuyler, Specialist Indigenous London Arts Janet Antone  interviews Emily Schuyler  about her experience as an Indigenous artist navigating questions such as "What constitutes fine art?" while Emily shares stories from her past that illuminate some of the hurdles and injustices (including microagressions and racism) Indigenous artists face while reflecting on advice she would give to her younger self. The interview took place during Emily's training period with Janet Antone who was the previous administrator for Indigenous London Arts through the London Arts Council.  National Day for Truth and Reconciliation   September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for us to honour Residential School Survivors, the children whose lives were lost through Canada’s residential school system, and their families and communities.   The day is also a time for learning—a vital component of the reconciliation process—to deepen our understanding of the roots of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the ongoing impacts of residential schools, and our responsibilities to support Indigenous communities.  If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the day, consider the following: City of London Events N’Amerind Friendship Centre Sunrise Ceremony Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Western University Events   Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western University London Public Library Resources (not open on September 30) PUBLIC ART PROJECTS Artist Olukayode (Kay) Ojo , a Nigerian-born Canadian artist whose work blends contemporary and traditional African influences into a bold, abstract expressionist style exhibits work at RBC Place Gallery, London. His paintings have been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the 2022 Art à la Carte exhibition at the Legislative Building in Toronto. His works are also held in the collections of Museum London and The Art Emporium in Port Stanley. He has painted portraits of notable figures, including former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.   The exhibit at RBC Place Gallery runs August 26 – December 20. Tunes in Light and Shade – Kay Ojo PROGRAMS AND LEARNING Belong Youth Art Workshops   Belong (Expansion) Youth Art Workshops with an Indigenous Focus at N’shwaasnangong Family Centre are running every Wednesday from   September 10 to November 26 . The Indigenous focus of these workshops offer participants the chance to make art under direction from Indigenous artists. Participants will get the chance to design moccasin Vamps, print with medicine plants, work with beading, look at zine making as well as make painted medicine pouches and cradleboard brooches.   Expanded Belong Youth Art Workshops at Crouch, SLNRC, GCCRC, LUSO and NWLNRC.  Programs are running from September 12 to December 20 at five different Community Centres across the city, Belong Youth Art Workshops run each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   Relevant dates/timeline: Crouch, 525 Hamilton Rd | Mondays 4:30 - 6:30pm, Sept. 15 - Dec. 8 SLNRC, 1119 Jalna Blvd | Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 18 - Dec. 4 GCCRC, 244 Adelaide St. South | Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30pm, Oct. 8 - Dec. 17 LUSO, Stoney Creek Library, 920 Sunningdale Rd | Fridays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 12 - Dec. 5 NWLNRC, 1225 Wonderland Rd | Saturdays 2:00 - 4:00pm, Sept. 27 - Dec. 20 Saveria performing at Extravabandza 2025 on September 6 (Nathan Bedard) ARTS ACTIVATIONS Extravabandza 2025!  We had an amazing time at this year's Extravabandza, the grand finale to the LBMX Musicians Mentorship Program !   The participating bands, Saveria , Pot Is Drugs , Tyrone Traher and the Rottweilers , Bella Rosa  and headlining artist Renforshort  showed star quality in front of engaged audience members who were treated to exceptional talent both on stage and from the participating vendors (organized by TNT Tabanca owner Wendy Bhagwandeen ), our talented DJs and MCs (from VybeKingz Entertainment ), and the dedicated volunteers running each of the event activities. Extravabandza recap video by Nathan Bedard Photography Many thanks to our sponsor LBMX for making this possible, our dedicated community partners, City of London (Dundas Place), Fanshawe College, London Police Service, Downtown London, and our operational partners Ontario Arts Council and Canada Life. Musicians from London Symphonia performing in Market Lane (Louise Good) Every week the downtown core is activated with live, local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund . Check out the full schedule on our Activations Calendar .  ARTS INVESTMENT LWS Launch Event on June 3 (Rebecca Hamilton Co.) 2025 Community Arts Investment Program Recipient - Artist Collective - Literature   On June 3, 2025, the London Writers Society (LWS)  launched its inaugural anthology,  Out of the Woods: Voices from the Forest City , made possible by a grant from the London Arts Council. The short stories and poems in the collection were written by thirty-five authors from London and the surrounding area.   The London Writers Society was founded in 2007 to provide community, resources and exposure for adult writers who live in and around London, Ontario, including those newly interested in writing, emerging authors, writing educators, and widely-published authors.    As a non-profit organization focused on supporting the development of local writers, LWS presented the anthology to align with the #ReadLocal #WriteLocal campaign. It represents a major milestone for LWS. Proceeds from book sales will fund future professional development opportunities for LWS members. Copies are available through the LWS website, at local bookstores, or online at Indigo and Amazon. OPPORTUNITIES We're Hiring!   We are looking for an organized, dedicated, structured, and professional individual who can take initiative and further the London Arts Council’s mission and mandate in the areas of operations and communications.   Sound like you, or someone you know? Learn more about the Administrator, Operations and Communications  position today!   Application deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025 by 4:00pm

As summer hits its vibrant peak, our arts community continues to shine! Whether you're tuning in to local sounds or marking your calendar for upcoming opportunities, we are always excited to share what's on! Thank you to our operational partners for your ongoing support. Your critical funding and partnership provide crucial support for LAC in maintaining and growing capacity for ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of professional artistic programs and services for our community and the local arts sector. We extend our gratitude to our strategic programming partners whose generosity helps us support the local arts community and artists with meaningful programs and opportunities. PUBLIC ART PROJECTS Photo of artist Billy Bert Young in front of "Chorus City" Chorus City (2025) is a community mural by Billy Bert Young located at the East Lions Community Centre. The mural that faces out to the playground at East Lions Community Centre came to be through The London Arts Council and the City of London. The piece itself is a tribute to London's UNESCO City of Music designation and reflects artists who are from, or have performed in, the city. "Three distinct panels present this convergence of musicians, from differing cultural backgrounds and musical genres, in a collective chorus." Traces of Time Exhibition of Paintings by Artist Ani Sarian at RBC Place Gallery . Exhibition continues through July, ending in September 2025. Bayfield– Ani Sarian Songlines murals continue to inspire! These projects, created in partnership with the City of London, London Music Office, and the Rotary Club of London, highlight the talented artistry of Maisa Mreiwed and Aruba Mahmud. Don’t miss an opportunity to experience these murals in person — Joy by Maisa Mreiwed at the South London Community Centre and Colourful Communities by Aruba Mahmud at the South London Community Pool.   Joy by Maisa Mreiwed     Colourful Communities by Aruba Mahmud PROGRAMS AND LEARNING Belong (Expansion) – Inclusive Arts Experiences Youth and Children Summer Workshops Belong Expansion Youth Art workshops are wrapping up this month at Arva Eco Park. Twelve workshops will be delivered between July 8 - August 14. These workshops cater to ages 4-14, and run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30pm - 2:30pm. ARTS ACTIVATIONS Every week the downtown core is activated with live, local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund. Check out the full schedule on our Activations Calendar . Fiker & Co. performing at the LAL Busking Festival July 27, 2025 Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the London Arts Live Busking Festival - London's first music-centred busking festival, on Sunday, July 27! We were thrilled to have 39 London Arts Live musicians participate across 18 acts and six different stations along Dundas Place. Missed your chance to experience the LAL Busking Festival? Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to immerse yourself in this uniquely local celebration of diverse musical offerings! Anddre Mafra & The Reflections performing at ExtravaBand-za! 2024 Mark your calendars, ExtravaBand-za! 2025 is happening on September 6 from 12:00pm - 9:00pm! Dundas Place is our stage for the grand finale of the LBMX Musicians Mentorship Program , where participating bands will perform in a festival-style setting supporting this year's headliner, Renforshort . Check out the activations calendar for full details on upcoming performances, opportunities, and events. ARTS INVESTMENT Now Open: EDI Micro Grants The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Micro Grants Program is designed to provide financial assistance for projects and initiatives of Individual Artists and/or Artist Collectives who have encountered barriers obtaining support within the current systems and structures of existing traditional funding mechanisms. This program supports the following Individuals and Collectives of artists, creators, practitioners of traditional arts in all disciplines: Indigenous Artists/Collectives based in London, Ontario, and the surrounding First Nations (Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames), Artists/Collectives with English as their Second Language, and Culturally Diverse (Racialized) Artists/Collectives based in London, Ontario. Apply by August 15, 2025 at 4:30pm