2021

Big changes for MixAbilities in 2022

H'art's MixAbilities Inclusive Arts Training Program is evolving again! The six-module program, designed to enhance access to the arts by ensuring artists and educators are trained to effectively and empathetically support artist-participants who are Deaf and those...

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$42,300 OTF Grant Supports Virtual and On-Site Programming

Kingston, ON - In 2021, H’art Centre received a $42,300 grant from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund - Operating stream. This grant, delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, will allow H’art Centre to hire staff, continue operating its facility,...

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Executive Director receives Arts Champion Award

H'art Centre's Executive Director Katherine Porter was awarded the Arts Champion Award at a Mayor’s Arts Award ceremony in December. The Mayor's Arts Awards is an annual recognition program that celebrates high artistic achievement and recognizes extraordinary...

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A few firsts for the 2021 Doseger Award

For the first time, two Doseger Awards were presented at the Brook Catherine Doseger Endowment Fund Award ceremony in December. Victor Orozco received the initial award, which honours the important role that post-secondary students play in the success of H’art....

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H’art kicks off Mix It Up! campaign

The public phase of a $30,000 campaign to expand already benefiting from community support  Yesterday, H’art Centre and some early supporters launched the public phase of a fundraising campaign that will see the organization expand into a neighbouring space. The Mix...

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OAEA Awards MixAbilities Facilitator

H’art Centre is pleased to announce Karen Dolan, its MixAbilities Inclusive Arts Training Program Facilitator, received a 2021 Community Art Educator of the Year from the Ontario Arts Education Association at a virtual ceremony held last night. The Community Art...

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In development: Inclusive arts and long-term care study

In development: Inclusive arts and long-term care study

A big H'art Centre thank you to Amanda Ball and Lauren McKinley, two field placement students from the Occupational Therapy program at the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen's University. This summer they dug into our outreach program called H'art Accessible...

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A summer like no other: H’art Studio

A summer like no other: H’art Studio

This summer is full of virtual adventures and music. H'art Studio artists are exploring our city through virtual tours of art galleries and museums. We are discovering sights near and far and imagining wide-open spaces. We are starting with watercolours and mixed...

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Feedback from MixAbilities Inaugural

It is always a pleasure to get feedback from people who benefit from our programs. Sarah Howard is a community artist, musician, and songwriter who participated in a full-day MixAbilities Inclusive Arts Training inaugural event in June. It inspired her to post her...

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Message from our Founder: Build back a stronger arts sector

Recently, I listened to the 10/3 podcast, “How COVID-19 dropped the curtain on Canada’s arts sector”. Calgary Herald arts reporter Eric Volmers spoke with clarity about the value of the arts sector in Canada and how it has taken a beating during the pandemic. Many of...

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Go Wireless: A lifeline for seniors

Go Wireless: A lifeline for seniors

Seniors at Fairmount Home were already preparing to use technology to stay engaged and active before the pandemic hit thanks to a pilot project launched by H’art Centre’s outreach program in December 2018 and implemented in 2019.  “Little did we know that our Go...

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Senior volunteer spreads the love

Senior volunteer spreads the love

Long-time H’art Centre volunteer June Methot presented Sonia Gentile, Executive Director of Family and Children's Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington with 20 “masked” teddy bears for the children served by the organization. Methot, 88, made the bears by hand...

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Remembering Shirley

Remembering Shirley

Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Shirley Ballantyne. We know there are many. Shirley was a true community champion. She was a volunteer and then a member of H’art’s board of directors for three years. Even after she finished her term on the...

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Studio artists salute community helpers

Studio artists salute community helpers

The first in a series of Finding Good art sales is here –– and available to you online! This collection features 14 painted wood sculptures. The sculptures depict the helpers in our community. Look for a celebration of doctors, teachers, nurses, zoo keepers, 911...

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H’art shares expertise across Ontario

H’art shares expertise across Ontario

Special Olympics Ontario invited Executive Director Katherine Porter and MixAbilities Facilitator Karen Dolan, along with 40+ art educators, instructors, and other education and learning admin staff, to be part of a three-hour panel designed to support the Art Gallery...

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When the world shuts down, Artists Connect!

When the world shuts down, Artists Connect!

From January to March, the "Artist Connect" project brought artists from across Canada together to talk about making art in the digital world. Artist Connect was presented by Ottawa’s BEING Studio, in partnership with H'art Centre (Kingston), The Space (Ottawa),...

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Book your transition presentation now

Book your transition presentation now

Ready to spread your wings? H’art Centre is here if you! H'art Studio offers limited on-site programming and a virtual H’art Studio program. Remember, you can join Virtual H'art Studio anytime, from anywhere. Teachers, administrators, and parent organizations!...

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Project: MixAbilities Inaugural

Project: MixAbilities Inaugural

Thanks to the MixAbilities "Inaugural" Project, H'art will invite 10 community artists to complete our MixAbilities Inclusive Arts Training, including a practicum option, and explore our online best practices. We will further build our roster of community artists...

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CURRENT PROJECT: Finding Good

CURRENT PROJECT: Finding Good

H'art Centre is launching a new season and plans for monthly art projects under the slogan, “Finding Good”. “People have been isolated, missing friends and loved ones, feeling bored, tired, stuck, and out of shape,” said Katherine Porter, Executive Director of H’art...

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Virtual H’art Studio attracts artists from a distance

It has been said that there is an opportunity in every crisis. When H'art Centre shut down to on-site programming due to the pandemic, we had no idea what opportunity would arise. Without missing a beat, our instructors and administrators worked hard to deliver...

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