Due to the recent intervention of local Indigenous artists, it has been determined that not only did the 2021 NAC Biennial contain harmful genocidal art, but that the entire selection process did not include the voices and the art of this community. We also recognize that this is just the tip of a larger issue surrounding equity in exhibitions and that we need to find a more inclusive and representative way forward.
Therefore, the Council has voted to cancel the entire biennial. In the weeks ahead we are going to step back and re-examine our process with the goal of becoming more accountable and inclusive of each and all of our marginalized BIPOC communities.
The arts council board would like to thank the artists and poets who have submitted their work. We acknowledge the time, effort, and expense you have put into your submissions and to recognize the difficulty and disappointment we have generated by our sudden decision to cancel the Biennial this late in the process.
