About IPAA
Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) claims space for all Indigenous performing artists by connecting the Indigenous Performance Network across Turtle Island (North America). The IPAA is a multifaceted organization with geographically and artistically diverse Indigenous performing artists, arts organizations and our allies.
IPAA is a federally incorporated not for profit organization based in Tkaronto, ON.
IPAA acknowledges the traditional lands and waterways of the Anishnaabe (Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation), the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat, and any other nations who cared for the land (acknowledged and unacknowledged, recorded and unrecorded).
History
In its foundational years, IPAA underwent several conceptual transformations:
- National Aboriginal Theatre Alliance
- National Aboriginal Arts AllianceThe Board of Directors adjusted IPAA’s title to reflect the organization’s Indigenous ethics (supporting the work of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis performing artists) and broad interdisciplinary approach. IPAA became a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization on March 16th, 2005.
Throughout its evolution IPAA has matured into a critical organization in the national ecology of the performing arts. Markers of this maturation include establishment of an office space in Toronto, ON, a national board of directors, the engagement of an Executive Director, and securing of operating funding from Canada Council for the Arts.
National Partnerships
- Equity In Theatre (EIT)
- Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA)
- National Arts Centre English Theatre’s exploration of Indigenous performance called The Summit in Banff (2014) which informed The Study / Repast in collaboration with Debajehmujig Storytellers on Manitoulin Island, ON.
Indigenous Leadership
Cole Alvis (Métis) is the Executive Director of IPAA.
Previous Coordinators include Falen Johnson, Michelle Olson, Suzanne Hawkins and Denise Bolduc as well as other committed community members volunteering countless hours to the creation and maintenance of this organization.
Previous Coordinators at the helm of the organization include Falen Johnson, Michelle Olson, Suzanne Hawkins and Denise Bolduc.
IPAA Website: www.ipaa.ca