you had questions.

now we have the answers.

    • We are a Deaf arts organization based in Alberta.

    • We are a registered non-profit. We do not have charitable status at this time.

  • We were founded as a collective in 2022, and became a registered non-profit in 2024.

    • We focus on creating more opportunities for Deaf people to express their creative self. This can be anything, from painting to photography to performance.

    • We deliver annual programming, which includes creative workshops, discussion groups, and social gatherings.

    • We pursue creative projects that have specific goals and endpoints.

    • We create productions which are shown for public enjoyment, and may continue to be shown at various times and places in the future.

    • TIP is led by an artist collective, all of whom are Deaf. There are currently four collective artists - Connor Yuzwenko-Martin, Crystal Wolfe, Jan McCarthy, and Ebony R. Gooden. Learn more about them here.

    • TIP is governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected from the current membership. They are volunteer members who focus on high-level governance such as financial health and bylaws updates. Learn more about them here.

  • We serve all Albertans, as well as Deaf artists across Canada.

    • Our funding comes from various sources, including Edmonton Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.

    • We are also supported by donations and membership fees from the community.

    • We also benefit from in-kind contributions such as reduced-rate or free rentals for space to work and create.

    • “Indigenous-informed” means consistently creating spaces and opportunities that are welcoming for Indigenous Deaf people, and thus are welcoming for many other racialized and marginalized groups.

    • We walk alongside Indigenous Deaf kin and embrace their experiences, advice, and expectations in everything we do. This ranges from friendly chats to check-in, to paid consultation and leadership roles in projects we undertake.

  • Our annual programming happens under the name ‘Invisible Café.’ This is a regular opportunity for the community to gather and socialize, develop new skills, or participate in a creative workshop.

    • You can become a member and participate regularly in our annual programming.

    • You can attend public performances and events hosted by TIP.

    • You can tell other Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who have a creative practice but may not be aware of us.

    • You will always know about upcoming events and opportunities to stretch and grow your creative skills.

    • Access to free and discounted tickets and other perks.

    • Voting rights at Annual General Meetings every spring.

    • Opportunities to be part of creative projects and events as a volunteer or team member.

    • Access to a Telegram channel to foster closer connections.

  • We pay artists fair wages at or above their minimum fees. We also follow union and association fee structures where applicable.

  • We usually pay artists through eTransfer after receiving an invoice. In other circumstances, we can pay with cash or cheque.

    • Yes. Depending on the nature of the engagement, a full contract may be required for the work, or a one-time honorarium will be offered.

    • There are opportunities to volunteer and support TIP’s work throughout the year. Become a member to get the latest news before anyone else!

  • At this time, we are building our organizational capacity and pursuing several initiatives. Some of these will have open calls with instructions on how to apply or engage.

    • Due to systemic audism and ableism, Deaf folks often cannot access the same artistic opportunities as their hearing peers. Thus, our research has shown that the local Alberta community is mostly composed of new or emerging Deaf artists.

    • Our mission is to build capacity in the local community for Deaf-centric creativity. This means welcoming and supporting emerging Deaf artists.

  • We primarily share information through our Invisible News members-only newsletter, our website, and Instagram.

  • Yes. You can turn on alerts for our Instagram posts to make sure you don’t miss anything. Just remember that the Invisible News newsletter often goes out first for members only!

  • The best way to stay informed and get involved is to become a member and check your email inbox for the latest Invisible News newsletter.

  • We are currently developing a process for Community Submissions, where a member may propose an idea for a workshop, event, project, or production that TIP will consider supporting directly.

    • Anything. Some may be just actors who work for others’ stage productions. Some may be writers who publish books. Some may be producers who support other Deaf artists from a logistical role.

    • Deaf artists are anything hearing artists are.

    • A Deaf arts organization can create stability and reliability in an ecosystem that is often driven by the ups-and-downs of funding, community interest, and artist capacity.

    • A Deaf arts organization can take on more high-level administration and production work, allowing Deaf artists to focus on their creative practice.

    • There is a long and rich history of Deaf artists locally and globally. Some have started organizations, while others remain independent. Some form collectives where several artists work together toward common goals. Others work within hearing-led groups and institutions.

    • Deaf-centric creativity is any creative expression generated through a Deaf perspective.

    • The art can be about the experience of Deafness, or it can be about an unrelated subject that interests the Deaf artist.

    • Deaf-centric creativity reveals new ways of understanding and navigating the universal human experience, opening up new dialogues in public and creating new opportunities for more meaningful solidarity-building.

    • Deaf people deserve the same opportunities to express themselves like everyone else.

    • Expressing oneself through creative work and play is beneficial for mental health, emotional regulation, relationship-building, and community resilience.

    • Creating and presenting art is an important way to participate in civic society and be part of conversations that concern everyone.

    • Have you ever taken a photo on your phone, and moved a little so the light was better? Have you ever told a story to friends in sign language that was so involved, you had to stand up? Those are all artistic things you’ve done already!

    • Art doesn’t need to be your full-time job for you to call yourself an artist.

    • You don’t need to make money from your art to call yourself an artist.

    • Yes. Artistic work or performing is an ongoing practice that requires commitment, focus, and a core passion that comes from within you.

    • We do not believe that formal schooling or academic qualifications are the only ways to become an artist.

    • Creativity is intrinsic to all humans; you have a creative passion already, even if you do not know it yet.

  • Art has never been politically neutral. Artists are part of society and are affected by the same laws and social changes as everyone else.

    Human rights, individual dignity, and equality between various groups are not political topics. They are made political by people and groups who espouse supremacism and other forms of oppression. When this happens, everyone has an ethical responsibility to defend those who are being targeted.

    “It is not intolerant to be intolerant of a point of view that is intolerant of others.” - This principle was expressed by Karl Popper in 1945. This illustrates why it is appropriate to actively reject racism, sexism, ableism, audism, fascism, and other views that attempt to argue for inequality.

    In our research during our Intentional Gatherings community consultation project, we recognized a service gap in the local Deaf community where political and social issues are often not discussed in ways that empower Deaf people to take informed actions in their common interest.

    Deaf communities continue to be deprived of equal communication access to the conversations that affect everyone. Deaf organizations have a responsibility to bridge those conversations into our community through safe and respectful channels.

    We comply with all laws and regulations around political advocacy by non-profit organizations.

Got a question that isn’t answered here? Just ask us!

general@invisiblepractice.ca