Overview

Feminist Art Conference (FAC) is a Toronto-based organization that brings together artists, academics and activists to consider feminist issues through art. Founded in 2013 by artist Ilene Sova, FAC began initially as an event to link feminist artists with each other as well as providing a forum in which to discuss our content. A call for organizing help was included in the first call for submissions and a large committee was formed to organize the FAC 2013 on March 9th for International Women’s Day. The first Feminist Art Conference caught the interest of over 70 participating artists and 175 attendees. With astounding interest both nationally and internationally, the FAC Committee made an on-going commitment to facilitating interdisciplinary and inclusive arenas for feminist art. The mission for the Feminist Art Conference (FAC) was inspired by the recent spate of attacks on women’s and transgender rights in Canada, the US and abroad. Issues such as rape culture, trans phobia, racism, violence, media representation, cultural appropriation, environmental degradation and impact on Aboriginal lands, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and Islamophobic policies are areas of deep concern. These infringements on our right to agency and independence have been occurring in alarming numbers in our governments, in the media and in our communities. This conference provides an opportunity for these issues to be explored and communicated artistically in a unique and creative space that encourages sharing, creating and discussion. In the centuries old tradition of people organizing we believe that by coming together and communicating about these issues through our artistic practice, that we can initiate progressive change.