Brampton Arts Organization

Brampton Arts Organization Brampton Arts Organization champions Brampton’s creative community & advocate for the

Last week, BAO was lucky enough to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the CBC's headquarters at 25 John St. in downtown To...
06/01/2026

Last week, BAO was lucky enough to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the CBC's headquarters at 25 John St. in downtown Toronto.

Not only did we get to learn about careers in media from CBC News Toronto host Dwight Drummond and Metro Morning host Chris Glover, but we also met Sumeet Dhami, the new Executive Producer for the CBC's Peel Region bureau! We discussed the need for greater coverage of Brampton, particularly of the thriving arts and culture scene here.

Thank you to Marivel Taruc and everyone else at CBC who helped make this tour possible! We're looking forward to more dialogue and coverage.

Congratulations to the ’s 2026 Canadian Screen Award winners from Brampton!The Canadian Screen Awards recognize excellen...
06/01/2026

Congratulations to the ’s 2026 Canadian Screen Award winners from Brampton!

The Canadian Screen Awards recognize excellence in Canadian film, television and digital media.

Brampton’s winners are:
Chris Lavis for Best Animated Short, The Girl Who Cried Pearls

Gayle Ye for Best Photography, Comedy, Late Bloomer

Please join us in congratulating them!



Image Description One: Graphic with gold fireworks bursting over text congratulating the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards winners from Brampton, highlighting Chris Lavis and Gayle Ye.

05/29/2026

What started back in 2022 as the Brampton Film Screening and Networking Night has grown into the Brampton Film Showcase. Today there’s more films and many more audience members, but what hasn’t changed is the why.

In collaboration with the City of Brampton Film Office, BAO created this event to support, showcase and promote Brampton filmmakers.

Hear directly from them as they reflect on what the Brampton Film Showcase means to them.

Thank you to all the filmmakers who shared their work with us all!
● Omorose Osagie |
● Rahul Chaturvedi |
● Adam Cushman |
● Paul-Daniel Torres |
● Lily Zhang | .anggg
● Pree Rehal |
● Abdullah Khan |
● Julian De Zotti |
● Amreen Kullar |
● Akshay Jagroop |
● gulzar |

And thank you to the over 800 of you who helped us sell out the Rose Brampton theatre!

Videography: Jemane Kent



Video description: video of Brampton Filmmakers talking about having their films shown at the 2026 Brampton Film Showcase in the Rose Brampton Theatre.

Oneida Nation traditional learner, storyteller and cultural wellness consultant Albert Spiritman will be leading the Fir...
05/28/2026

Oneida Nation traditional learner, storyteller and cultural wellness consultant Albert Spiritman will be leading the First Nations Gathering Series: Sweetgrass and Spirit Art workshop on June 3rd.

In this workshop, Spiritman will guide you through an exploration of painting using your own energy, intuition, and spirit. No pressure, no “perfect” technique, just creating from a real place inside of you.

Additionally, you will also learn about Sweetgrass, a traditional medicine that holds deep meaning for the First Nations people. Spiritman will share his teachings, and you’ll make your own personal care Sweetgrass brush to take home.

The First Nations Gathering Series offers a slate of workshops where all community members come together to learn about First Nations cultures while using their hands and hearts to create meaningful crafts. The series is programmed by local Indigenous singer-songwriter Pam Levi.

DATE: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
TIME: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Four Corners Branch Library, 65 Queen St E, Brampton
COST: FREE

All materials will be provided. This workshop is open to all people and skill levels.

Register now https://bramlib.libnet.info/event/16511057

Accessibility: If you are a Brampton resident who needs assistance or support to participate, such as an ASL interpreter, please get in touch with us at [email protected] as soon as possible (minimum of five days in advance) so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Transportation: We can provide all-ages Brampton Transit Tickets to Brampton residents free of charge to those who need them for all BAO in-person events. If you would like to pick up a ticket for yourself and others attending with you, please email [email protected] prior to the event and we will have them available for you onsite. Tickets work for both Brampton Transit and Züm buses.

Have you checked out our 2025 Annual Report? It's full of our accomplishments.A few of the many highlights we achieved t...
05/26/2026

Have you checked out our 2025 Annual Report? It's full of our accomplishments.

A few of the many highlights we achieved together in 2025:
● Hosted 122 free events and workshops with 22 partners for 5,463 Brampton creatives
● Paid 383 Brampton creatives through 25 different open calls
● Supported 94 Brampton creatives, organizations, and youth to vend at local markets
● Supported 76 local artists and arts workers through the new Professional Development Fund
● Provided free arts training to 350+ local elementary and high school students

Over the following weeks, we will share more highlights from the report. If you can't wait, you can always read it now https://bramptonartsorg.ca/about/reports-publications

We couldn't have done all of this without you. You make BAO what it is!

BAO Mentorship Library Spotlight: Holly ChangHolly Chang is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice incorporates phot...
05/22/2026

BAO Mentorship Library Spotlight: Holly Chang

Holly Chang is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice incorporates photography, ceramics, textiles, and collage.

Types of mentorship Holly is offering:
• Grant and proposal writing
• Artist statements, CVs, and bios
• General critique and feedback on work
• Curation and exhibition planning

The BAO Mentorship Library supports Brampton artists, creatives and arts and culture organizations by providing advice, guidance and feedback from established creative industry professionals.

Book your one-hour mentorship session with Holly here https://bramptonartsorg.ca/programs-projects/bao-mentorship-library/

Accessibility: Brampton resident who needs assistance or support to participate, please get in touch with us at [email protected] so we can make the necessary accommodations.

Our First Nations Gathering Series returns June 3rd with a workshop on sweetgrass and spirit art making.In this workshop...
05/21/2026

Our First Nations Gathering Series returns June 3rd with a workshop on sweetgrass and spirit art making.

In this workshop, Oneida Nation traditional learner, storyteller and cultural wellness consultant Albert Spiritman will guide you through an exploration of painting through your own energy, intuition, and spirit. No pressure, no “perfect” technique, just creating from a real place inside of you.

Additionally, you will also learn about Sweetgrass, a traditional medicine that holds deep meaning for the First Nations people. Spiritman will share his teachings, and you’ll make your own personal care Sweetgrass brush to take home.

The First Nations Gathering Series offers a slate of workshops where all community members come together to learn about First Nations cultures while using their hands and hearts to create meaningful crafts. The series is programmed by local Indigenous singer-songwriter Pam Levi.

DATE: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
TIME: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Four Corners Branch Library, 65 Queen St E, Brampton
COST: FREE

All materials will be provided. This workshop is open to all people and skill levels.

Register here https://bramlib.libnet.info/event/16511057

Accessibility: If you are a Brampton resident who needs assistance or support to participate, such as an ASL interpreter, please get in touch with us at [email protected] as soon as possible (minimum of five days in advance) so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Transportation: We can provide all-ages Brampton Transit Tickets to Brampton residents free of charge to those who need them for all BAO in-person events. If you would like to pick up a ticket for yourself and others attending with you, please email [email protected] prior to the event and we will have them available for you onsite. Tickets work for both Brampton Transit and Züm buses.

05/20/2026

You never know who you will meet or what you will learn at Open Studio+!

Join us next Wednesday, May 27th and be ready to let your creativity flow.

You have so many options: Bring your own works in progress, use our art supplies and materials to start a new project, take pictures in our Photography Studio, find inspiration in our Community Library, record beats in our Recording Studio and so much more.

There is no formal workshop for this Open Studio+. Instead, we invite you to gather, network and share what you are working on with each other. Let’s inspire each other!

DATE: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
TIME: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
LOCATION: BAO Office, 8 Nelson, St W, Unit 301, Brampton
COST: FREE / Pay What You Choose

Drop in any time between noon and eight p.m. and make the most out of this communal creative environment.

Register now through the link in our bio.

Accessibility: If you are a Brampton resident who needs assistance or support to participate, such as an ASL interpreter, please get in touch with us at [email protected] as soon as possible (minimum of five days in advance) so that we can make the necessary accommodations.

Transportation: We can provide all-ages Brampton Transit Tickets to Brampton residents free of charge to those who need them for all BAO in-person events. If you would like to pick up a ticket for yourself and others attending with you, please email [email protected] prior to the event and we will have them available for you onsite. Tickets work for both Brampton Transit and Züm buses.



Image Description: Video of people making gelli prints to promote May’s Open Studio+ on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Brampton Arts Organization office.

ICYMI, we held our BAO Spring Town Hall last Wednesday. What a great evening of community-building we had with friends n...
05/19/2026

ICYMI, we held our BAO Spring Town Hall last Wednesday. What a great evening of community-building we had with friends new and old!

A packed house welcomed MP Amandeep Sodhi, the National Centre of Excellence for Immersive Technology's Michael Andich, Visual Arts Brampton's Colleen Dee, and the City of Brampton's Cultural Services team.

After the presentations, we rearranged the chairs into a circle, as we always do, and opened up the floor. We heard from community members about their upcoming events, concerns and hopes.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We are only as creative, dynamic and strong as our Brampton creative community. Each one of you makes BAO the organization it is.

Make sure to save the date for the next BAO Town Hall on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. It will be a special "Vote for the Arts" Town Hall due to the City of Brampton's municipal election on Monday, ​October 26, 2026. You don't want miss this opportunity to advocate for arts and culture to the people running for council!

We and the Brampton Library are excited to announce that Shiemara Hogarth is the 2026 Brampton Artist in Residence.Shiem...
05/15/2026

We and the Brampton Library are excited to announce that Shiemara Hogarth is the 2026 Brampton Artist in Residence.

Shiemara is a Jamaica-born, Brampton-based textile and craft artist whose practice explores belonging, memory, and storytelling through weaving, embroidery, digital printing, and sculptural forms.

Her residency will take place at the Brampton Library’s South Fletcher’s branch from June to September. Over the course of the residency, community members of all ages and experience levels are invited to develop their craft skills while building a community of practice together.

SAVE THE DATES
Meet Brampton Artist in Residence Shiemara Hogarth
Meet Shiemara Hogarth and learn about her journey as an artist, her creative practice, and what her residency will offer the community.
DATE: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
COST: Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Introduction to Hand Weaving
Learn the fundamentals of hand weaving by making a small textile sample.
DATE: Saturday, June 13, 2026
TIME: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
COST: Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Introduction to Coiling by Making Baskets & Rugs
Learn how to make a small, coiled basket or flat rug.
DATE: Monday, July 20, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
COST: Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Introduction to Surface Design Using Repeat Patterns
Learn how to create a small pattern tile that can be used on fabrics, wrapping paper, stationery, and more.
DATE: Thursday, August 13, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
COST: Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Brampton Artist in Residency Showcase
Celebrate the residency with a showcase featuring the artworks created by the program participants and hear about Shiemara’s residency experience.
DATE: Saturday, September 19, 2026
TIME: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
COST: Free / All are welcome

All residency activities will be held at Brampton Library’s South Fletcher’s branch, located at 500 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON L6Y 5B3, in the Susan Fennell Sportsplex.

Learn more at bramlib.info/in-residence

Address

8 Nelson Street West, Unit 301
Brampton, ON
L6X1B7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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