Visiting Speakers Series
The School of Art’s Visiting Speakers Series brings leading voices in contemporary art, criticism, and design to our community. Each speaker offers a unique perspective on the pressing questions shaping today’s creative landscape. A cornerstone of the student experience, the series pairs public presentations with hands-on workshops, demos, lectures, and more. Many speakers also engage directly with students in small groups or one-on-one studio settings–offering critique, conversation, and insight shaped by their individual practices.
School of Art events
Past Speakers include:
- Allan Antliff
- Grant Arnold
- Sébastien Aubin
- David Batchelor
- Rebecca Belmore
- Max Becher & Andrea Robbins
- Ron Bechet
- Eli Bornstein
- Hank Bull
- Marcos Chin
- Grace Deveney
- Stan Douglas
- Steven Duval
- Robert Enright
- Sjarel Ex
- Andy Fabo
- Geoffrey Farmer
- Jonathan S. Green
- Laura Grier
- Dr. Sari Hannila
- Terry Hildebrand
- Robert Houle
- Tehching Hsieh
- Jaimie Isaac
- Aisha John
- Sarah Anne Johnson
- Anthony Kiendl
- Rodney Latourelle & Louise Witthoefft
- Elizabeth Legge
- Rain LeGrande
- Frank Lisciandro
- Ken Lum
- Myfanwy Macleod
- Ry Moran
- Kristin Nelson
- Ruth Phillips
- Sarah Pupo
- Jeanne Randolph
- Carolee Schneemann
- Meera Sethi
- Jen Sonnenberg
- Reva Stone
- Dr. Juliana Espana Keller
- Ian Wallace
- Lidwien van de Ven
- Bik Van der Pol
- Haegue Yang
Call for proposals
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to propose speakers during open calls based on their interests and areas of inquiry. Many events in the series are also open to the general public, fostering broader dialogue across communities.
Who can I invite?
The committee welcomes proposals to invite practitioners, experts, and Elders in fields of visual art, design and other creative disciplines. These can include local, national, and international artists, designers, craftspeople, commercial artists, art historians, critics, curators, and arts administrators. We encourage applications for visiting artists who identify within BIPOC communities.
Applicants are not required to contact visitors they are proposing, however, it is encouraged that you confirm availability and interest. If applicants are unsure of how to approach potential visitors, please reach out to the email address below.
Who can apply?
All current School of Art undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, instructors, and staff are encouraged to submit proposals. Students may submit proposals individually or in groups. Groups submitting proposals should choose a contact person meeting one of these criteria.
How do I submit a proposal?
Please submit proposals and direct any questions to: SoAVisitingArtistCommittee@umanitoba.ca
Please note: proposals are subject to approval by the Visiting Artist Committee.
Application can be found here:
https://umanitoba.ca/art/sites/art/files/2021-07/2021%20Visiting%20Speaker%20Proposal%20Form_0.pdf
In addition to the Visiting Speakers Series, the School of Art Graduate Program and the School of Art Gallery host over 25 additional speakers each year. These events include artist talks, panel discussions, research presentations, studio visits, and public lectures that further enrich the academic and creative community.