The Gathering Divergence Multi-Arts Festival & Conference Spring 2026

This three-day hybrid festival and conference centers Indigenous, Black, racialized, Deaf, disabled, Mad, women, and other historically marginalized artists and arts communities.  Features performances, literary readings, visual arts exhibitions, panels, workshops, and creative investigations across diverse artistic practices.

Grounded in cross-sectoral understandings of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Pluralism (EDIP), the festival explores transformative change in the arts through critical reflection, collaboration, and visionary practice.

Panels:  

- Building a Diverse Canadian Cultural Arts Management Ecology | May 12

- Access Panel Strategies for Increasing Access in the Arts (in partnership with Tangled Arts) | May 12

- Can Your Work Tour? Building a IBPOC Touring Network and Supporting Artist to be Tour Ready | May 14

- From EDI to What? The Changing Landscape of Equity and Inclusion in the Arts | | May 15

Plus workshops, artists performances and exhibition! More details coming up soon! 

Join us online or in person:

May 12 – Online only

Register here: https://Gathering-Divergence-Spring-2026.eventbrite.ca 

May 14–15 – Hybrid

In person at the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre: Register here: https://tapestryopera.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SOF000002aPZp2AM

Online - Register here: https://Gathering-Divergence-Spring-2026.eventbrite.ca

Tickets:

General Admission: $20

Artist / Arts Worker / Accessibility Pricing: $15

Accessibility: 

Online: Otter closed captions will be available 

In person: the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre: all spaces are accessible to most; many are barrier-free. For more information: https://jackmanperformance.ca/how-to-find-us/

We aim to host a fragrance-free event. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, or other scented products.

Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

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Host or Publisher Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO)