GEI : ART Symposium 2025

GEI : ART Symposium, Sept 19-21, 2025 @ JCCC Toronto

We are welcoming artists of Japanese descent in Canada of all artistic practices, regions, generations, and career stages to build a solid national arts community!

The inaugural GEI : ART Symposium was held at the Japanese-inspired Esquimalt Gorge Park pavilion in 2022. Close to 100 artists came together to celebrate a homecoming to the west coast, and to recognize legacy artists – trailblazers who have set the stage for future generations.

In 2025, we will reignite the spirit of the first symposium. Recognizing the forced dispersal of ancestors who had to relocate east of the Rockies, this year’s symposium will take place at the historically significant Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto.

This artist-run event looks to:

• Create a solid network of artists across the country
• Share our achievements and works in progress
• Inspire and support cross-pollination between artists

We would also like to hear from you. The submission form asks you for topics that you would like to see covered or something you would like to share or contribute.

While we would love to welcome all artists of Japanese descent in Canada who express interest, we hope that you will understand that if we receive more interest than we are able to host, a selection process will be necessary.

Priority will be given to artists who were not able to attend the first GEI : ART Symposium in BC, those who have a current work in progress or one ready for sharing, and those who are selected to contribute to the symposium content. We will strive to welcome a diversity of artists. 

Accommodations will be reserved on participants’ behalf; however, participants are responsible for the cost. There is limited support available for participants who identify a need for financial or other support to attend.

A registration fee of $150 will be due upon confirmation of participation.

For more information, please view the submission link below or contact us at [email protected].

Submit an expression of interest here!

Submissions accepted until May 31, 2025.