Cross-Border Dialogues

Produced by the Art Gallery of Guelph, Cross-Border Dialogues is a series of recorded conversations bringing together leaders in the cultural sector from Canada and the United States. These dialogues explore shared and distinct approaches to critical issues in the arts, delving into the philosophies underpinning the participants’ work, innovative engagement methods, and the vital role of education and community outreach.

For educators in universities and art programs, this series offers a unique platform to enrich classroom learning and professional development. Connecting with perspectives from leading voices, educators and students gain insight into transnational practices, the intersection of art and activism, and the transformative potential of the arts. Designed to inspire and inform, the seven recorded sessions and transcripts make this series an invaluable tool for fostering critical discussions on cross-border collaboration, community-building, and the evolving role of art in fostering social justice. 

Developed by the Art Gallery of Guelph in 2023-2024 with support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Guelph Community Foundation Community Fund, the series is organized and moderated by Sally Frater, formerly Curator of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Guelph and now Senior Curator/Curatorial Manager at the Remai Modern.

Episodes in the series
Cross-Border Dialogues: Crystal Mowry and Daniel Atkinson
Crystal Mowry, Director of Programs at the MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, and Daniel Atkinson, Manager of Learning and Adult Interpretive Programs at MCA Chicago.

Cross-Border Dialogues: Julie Crooks and Kelli Morgan
Julie Crooks, Curator/Head of the Department of the Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, and Dr. Kelli Morgan, Senior Curator and Interim VP of Exhibitions and Programs at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, until July 2024, when she became the founding Executive Director and CEO of the Black Artists Archive (BAA).

Cross-Border Dialogues: heather ahtone and Ryan Rice
heather ahtone, PhD (Choctaw/Chickasaw Nation), Director of Curatorial Affairs, First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City, and Ryan Rice (Kanien’kehá:ka of Kahnawake), Executive Director and Curator of Indigenous Art, Onsite Gallery at OCAD University, Toronto.

Cross-Border Dialogues: Michelle Jacques and Kimberli Gant
Michelle Jacques, Director of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator, Remai Modern, Saskatoon, and Kimberli Gant, Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn.

Cross-Border Dialogues: Tamara Toledo and Marcela Guerrero
Tamara Toledo, Director/Curator, Sur Gallery, Toronto, and Marcela Guerrero, DeMartini Family Curator, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.

Cross-Border Dialogues: Bana Kattan and Vicky Moufawad-Paul, moderated by Nasrin Himada
Bana Kattan, Pamela Alper Associate Curator at MCA Chicago, and Vicky Moufawad-Paul, Curator/Director of A Space Gallery, Toronto. Moderated by Nasrin Himada, Associate Curator, Academic Outreach and Community Engagement, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University, Kingston.

Cross-Border Dialogues: Tarah Hogue and Pablo N. Barrera
Tarah Hogue (Métis), Adjunct Curator, Indigenous Art, Remai Modern, and Pablo N. Barrera (Wixáritari), Associate Curator, Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City.