#AIRsessions | Free Music Workshop Series Announced for Youth in Winnipeg's North End

Posted on

Manitoba Music and the National Art Centre are teaming up with facilitator and curator Ila Barker to present a 10-session music-based workshop series for youth ages 13-25 called #AIRsessions.

Kicking off on February 7, the free sessions will happen twice monthly on Thursday nights 6 - 9 p.m. at the Indigenous Family Centre (470 Selkirk Avenue). A free meal will be provided to the participants courtesy of Food Fare.

“#AIRsessions, or Artist in Residence sessions, was created to fill a clear need for reoccurring programming for inner city youth,” says Barker. “The ongoing presence of the series will help allow for an organic, safe, and comfortable space to be developed in order to facilitate the process of artistic creation"

Barker, a Winnipeg-based singer/songwriter, will act as the primary mentor alongside a different local guest mentoring artist every session. Upcoming guest mentors include Don Amero, Joanne Pollock, JC Campbell, and more. Visit the Facebook page for ongoing updates

#AIRSessions sponsors include Food Fare, the Indigenous Family Centre, and sākihiwē festival. The dates for upcoming sessions: Feb 7& 28, Mar 7 & 21,  Apr 4 &18, May 2 & 23, June 6 & 20
 

Manitoba Music's partnership is through the Indigenous Music Development Program (IMDP), which was launched in 2004 to help First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people develop sustainable careers in the music industry. The program delivers projects and services that respond to the needs of the industry as identified by a steering committee. The IMDP is supported by the Province of Manitoba and Manitoba Film & Music.

For more information or to pre-register, please contact Barker at ilabarkermusic@gmail.com.

Read more news