FEATURED SELECTION
full film, tv, media & arts portfolio available upon request
FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Overseeing and managing the implementation of CE’s Vision, Mission & Values.
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CREATIVES EMPOWERED is the first and only non-profit organization in Alberta for film, tv, media & arts professionals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour; a collective of artists + creatives empowering each other as an allied community.
CREATOR
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In her role as Executive Director for Creatives Empowered, Shivani has created Canada’s first IBPOC Consultants Directory, a free public service that empowers IBPOC expertise to lead EDIA work in the cultural sector. A special thanks to Soni Dasmohapatra and Mallika Nayak for their incredible help.
CONSULTANT + FACILITOR
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In 2022, the Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO) engaged Atelier Culturati to create a 3 Year Strategic Plan. This strategic planning was successfully conducted online and resulted in a comprehensive and actionable plan.
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RESO is a Vancouver based national office that supports the mentorship, training, funding, production, and distribution of content by racialized Canadian filmmakers with diverse stories told through a diasporic migrant lens with a major goal to build greater business opportunities and markets for content from racialized communities in and outside of Canada.
CONSULTANT
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In 2022, CRIPSiE, The Collaborative Radically Integrated Performers Society in Edmonton, engaged Atelier Culturati to create a new Strategic Vision.
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CRIPSiE is an Edmonton-based collective of artists that include people who experience disability and their allies. They challenge dominant stories of disability and other forms of oppression through high-quality crip and mad performance art, video art, as well as public education and outreach programs.
PRODUCER, CURATOR & MODERATOR
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CULTIVATING & HARVESTING EDI – to cultivate means to acquire or develop, and to harvest means to collect or obtain for a future use. Since the summer of 2020, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) has become ‘top of mind’ throughout the cultural sector, and a priority in funding. Who is cultivating and harvesting EDI, and the money that’s available for it? And is the equity-seeking community actually being empowered in the process? This insightful discussion explored these questions, and the complex issues that can arise from this important work, with incredible panelists Jordan Baylon, Soni Dasmohapatra, Dinu Philip Alex and Pam Tzeng.
CURATOR & HOST
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WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? INCLUSION & DIVERSITY IN THE INDUSTRY – we all want our screen industry to be more inclusive, diverse and accessible. It’s one thing to say it, but how can we really put these IDEAs into action for our Industry? Join CIFF and our expert group of panelists to discuss the actions we can take – individually and collectively – to make the Alberta screen industry truly a space for all to create.
PRODUCER, CURATOR & MODERATOR
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WHY ANTI-RACISM STILL MATTERS – this live online event revisits what anti-racism means, deep diving into its continued importance in our individual lives, our work as IBPOC artists + creatives, allyship, and the cultural sector at-large. An illuminating and engaging conversation with Reneltta Arluk (Director of Indigenous Arts for BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity), Patti Pon (President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development), and Kizzie Sutton (Executive Director of the Calgary Society for Independent Filmmakers).
CONSULTANT & FACILITATOR
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In 2021 and 2022, the Documentary Organization of Canada engaged Atelier Culturati to create a 3 Year Strategic Plan, infused with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). This strategic planning was successfully conducted online due to COVID 19, and resulted in a comprehensive and actionable plan.
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The Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC NATIONAL) is the collective voice of Canada’s independent documentary creators. DOC began in 1983 as the Canadian Independent Film Caucus (CIFC) to represent the interests of Canada’s growing community of indie doc filmmakers. Today DOC has over 1000 members across six chapters from coast to coast.
CONSULTANT & FACILITATOR
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In 2021 AMPIA engaged Atelier Culturati to create a 3 Year Strategic Plan, infused with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). This strategic planning was successfully conducted online due to COVID 19, and resulted in a comprehensive and actionable plan.
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AMPIA is a non-profit professional association incorporated in 1973. At the time it was the first organization of its kind in Canada to represent Producers, and began with a mandate to support the independent motion picture industry as a viable economic and cultural force within the Province of Alberta.
PRODUCER, CURATOR & MODERATOR
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PUSHING THROUGH RACIAL BARRIERS – this live, online event was a powerful and enlightening discussion on the challenges racialized talent face in Alberta’s screen-based industries – from emerging to established – and the solutions we all need to see. We share practical and supportive resources you can access now to create more opportunity and equity. Featuring actor, producer, award-winning entrepreneur and activist Jesse Lipscombe, Emmy nominated Tonya Williams – the Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld, and award-winning Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker Omatta Udalor.
PRODUCER, CURATOR & MODERATOR
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WHY HIRE BIPOC? In this unprecedented time Alberta’s film + television industry has an incredible opportunity to start making its productions more inclusive and diverse, by creating real opportunities for media professionals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Industry pros provide insight to understand why you should hire BIPOC and invaluable advice on how to approach it. This live, online event featured Georgina Lightning (Trickster), Trevor Solway (Intertribal), Michelle Wong (Heartland) and Gillian Müller from BIPOC TV & FILM, creators of the database HireBIPOC.com.
CONSULTANT & FACILITATOR
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In 2021 and 2020 AMAAS engaged Atelier Culturati to refine and update its current Strategic Plan, infusing it with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Due to COVID-19, this in-person strategic planning session was successfully moved online with AMAAS’ board and staff, resulting in a comprehensive and actionable update.
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AMAAS is a Provincial Service Organization that celebrates, educates, and advocates for the media arts sector. AMAAS has been serving the media arts community and raising awareness amongst the public for almost 30 years. AMAAS represents and is composed of independent media artists, artist-run organizations and supporters of the media arts – and believes that media art is foundational to Alberta’s identity, culture, and society.
CONSULTANT & CREATIVE WRITING
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Atelier Culturati was engaged by Reelworld to provide organizational capacity building in the areas of branding, messaging, proposal, sponsorship and revenue development.
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REELWORLD is the first groundbreaking initiative in Canada dedicated to creating more opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Canadian filmmakers, content creators and all talent, in front of and behind the screen. Founded by Tonya Williams in 2000, Reelworld empowers people through the Reelworld Film Festival and the Reelworld Screen Institute.
CREATIVE WRITING SERVICES
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Currently in development, Svāhā’s world premiere will take place at Meridian Hall in Toronto, Canada (dates TBA) and Atelier Culturati is currently in talks to provide publicity & marketing services.
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ABOUT: Choreographer Nova Bhattacharya’s Svāhā is inspired by women and the act of gathering. It’s inspired by ceremonies of life and love, birth and death, and the way women come together to create community. A vibration of faith, a sharing of joy, and ultimately a danced offering to this land. Created in collaboration with percussionist and composer Ed Hanley, Svāhā features 12 virtuoso dancers joined by the vital Body-Choir, an intergenerational ensemble of performers invited from our own Canadian communities. A feminist approach to reinventing tradition; Svāhā is a contemporary ritual for our times.
• Photo: Dahlia Katz
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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For its unprecedented 2020 tour of Treaty 6 territory, and for its May 1, 2020 live online staged reading as part of the National Arts Centre’s #CanadaPerforms. Atelier Culturati also sold-out its 3 performances in 2017 at 200 seats per show, in Edmonton, Canada.
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A COMMUNITY TELLING OF PAWÂKAN MACBETH – A Cree Takeover by Indigenous playwright Reneltta Arluk, is inspired by the youth and Elders of Frog Lake First Nation, following protocol. Set in Cree territory in 1870s Alberta before the numbered Treaties were signed, when Plains Cree were allied with Stoney Nakoda, and at war with Blackfoot over territory, food, supplies and trade. As the Canadian government made its way west, harsh environments brought immense fear, starvation, and uncertainty together to awaken the darkest of Cree spirits – an evil being with an insatiable greed. This play embarked on a 2020 tour of Treaty 6 territory, bringing professional theatre into Indigenous communities – for the first time.
• Photo: Donald Lee, The Banff Centre
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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Atelier Culturati sold out its 4 performances in November 2019, in Edmonton, Canada.
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ABOUT: In her play, THREE LADIES, dramatist and award-winning poet Lady Vanessa Cardona uses monologue, ceremony, poetry, hip-hop and traditional Colombian dance to tell the story of how her life’s most traumatic events – sexual violence and civil war – impacted her sense of identity. More than simply a story of struggle, Three Ladies uses diverse modes of story-telling in combination with unflinching, gritty, vulnerable performance to explore – and ultimately celebrate – her healing journey, and the possibilities of healing that exist in all human beings. Presented by Remix the Ritual, Three Ladies opened the Fringe Theatre’s ‘The Off Season’.
• Poster Design: KazMega
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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YYC POP: PORTAITS OF PEOPLE is an open call out to the community, the entire city and the world, from Calgary’s Poet Laureate, Sheri-D Wilson. This Legacy Project invites all Calgarians – whether writers or not – to create a portrait in the form of a poem, prose poem or snapshot / flash fiction – of someone they know who lives and works in Calgary. YYC POP explores: Who are we? What is our identity as a city? Who are the people that live here? And what are their stories? Submissions were curated by a jury of professional writers, and selected portraits were published in a hard-copy anthology released in 2020.
• Image: Peter Moller
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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A NIGHT OF SEDUCTION featured legendary New York City Jazz Poet Quincy Troupe, YYC’s Poet Laureate Sheri-D Wilson and Calgary’s fabulous Redline Trio. Presented by JazzYYC and Calgary Spoken Word Society, this special festival performance in November 2019 was filled with beauty, wit, joy, word and music riffs, all with a full-on seduction in jazz.
• Image: JazzYYC
PUBLICITY FOR 2019 WESTERN CANADA TOUR: WINNIPEG, CALGARY & EDMONTON
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NO CHANGE IN THE WEATHER – A NEWFOUNDLAND MUSICAL explores and celebrates the culture, music, history and people of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), taking some of its finest songs, and combining them with traditional sounds and instruments, memorable characters – and a conclusion that turns the province’s past on its head – all working together to create a once in a lifetime theatre experience. Executive Producer is Winnipeg philanthropist Walter Schroeder, Producer is Bob Hallett (founding member of NL’s beloved band Great Big Sea), and Managing Producer is the incredible Ann Connors.
• Photo: Ritche Perez
CONSULTANT & FACILITATOR
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In 2018 and 2019, Atelier Culturati was engaged to help create the theatre company’s first official Strategic Plan.
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Azimuth Theatre is a well-respected independent theatre company established in Edmonton, Canada in 1987. A producer and presenter of original performance, an avid supporter of local independent creators and an engaged community member. Azimuth Theatre believes in social change and in the vital role that professional theatre has in contributing to that change.
PRODUCER (2020) and PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA (2019)
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Chinook Series is a collaboratively curated performance experience, bringing artists and communities together to share and celebrate through live art, with amazing performances, engaging workshops and thought-provoking salons – all in one place. Featuring contemporary theatre, dance and performance art from local, national and international artists. Inclusive, integrated, and accessible – Chinook Series is committed to practicing social change through the intersections of live art. Chinook Series 2019 was collaboratively curated by Azimuth Theatre, Fringe Theatre and Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre in partnership with SOUND OFF (Canada’s only Deaf Theatre Festival), Black Arts Matter and Sinergia.
• Photo: Remi Theriault
SENIOR PRODUCER, PROJECT MANAGER & POST-PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
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Shivani oversaw all aspects of the project through development, pre-production, production, post-production and final installation from 2016 to 2018, providing invaluable professional guidance and expertise through her 25+ years of producing experience.
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The Royal Alberta Museum features groundbreaking ABORIGINAL MEDIA; a commission that saw Indigenous Peoples native to this land sharing their own stories – and authentically from their worldviews. 30 Audio and Video Media Elements were created, including a spectacular 360 Video Projection, for the museum’s new Human History wing; illuminating the cultures and histories of the Blackfoot, Cree, Denesųłįné, Dene Tha’, Métis, Nakota and Stoney Nakoda. These important and powerful Indigenous narratives are underrepresented in mainstream society and this province’s existing history.
• Image: The Royal Alberta Museum
ON-SITE PRODUCER AT 2018 EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
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HUFF is the wrenching, yet darkly comic tale of Indigenous brothers, caught in a torrent of solvent abuse and struggling to cope with the death of their mother. Their fantastic dream world bleeds into haunting reality, as they’re preyed on by the Trickster through hallways at school, the abandoned motel they love more than home, and their own fragile psyche. With his signature biting humour and raw, vivid imagery, Huff is a daring solo show by award-winning Indigenous playwright Cliff Cardinal, one of the most exciting new voices in Canadian theatre. After touring extensively across Canada and Australia, this breathtaking piece came to the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of CanadaHub, in association with Summerhall, in Scotland. Huff was 1 of 6 plays shortlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award. • www.cliffcardinal.com • #hufftour #edfringe #IntoTheUnknown #CanadaHubFringe
• Image: CanadaHub
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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The inaugural, sold-out events took place on June 29 & 30, 2018 in Calgary, Canada.
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POETROLOGY brings poets and creators together to produce unforgettable experiences that include many dimensions of poetry: Sound, Music, Visual Poetic Play & Poetry Hacking. Accessible to everyone – creative or not – Poetrology creates a space for its audience to interact with poetry in unique ways, and leaves them feeling inspired. Produced by Sheri-D Wilson, Calgary’s Poet Laureate (2018 – 2020), and The Calgary Spoken Word Society, “Poetrology are poetic experiences that stimulate the community into their own creativity.”
• Image: Peter Moller
SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER
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For Vital Bonds and the award-winning companion feature film Memento mori. Atelier Culturati created high quality social media content, and curated a comprehensive social media strategy to promote the launch of both films.
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VITAL BONDS is a fascinating journey inside the evolving science of transplants, where breakthrough discoveries are tackling the organ shortage and transforming the future of medicine. With unprecedented access to surgeries and intensive care units, this one-hour documentary encounters the realities of life, death and the movement of human organs between donor and patient with unflinching authenticity. Produced by Rosvita Dransfeld and directed by Niobe Thompson, Vital Bonds made its world broadcast premiere on November 17, 2016 on CBC Television’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.
• Photo: ID: Productions
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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SCHOOL OF THOUGHT is educational in nature – this incubator featured 8 curated events that brought poets and social activists together to share ideas and exchange perspectives with an audience, on the theme of “Languages Lost & Found”. School of Thought was created and produced by Sheri-D Wilson, an internationally recognized poet, educator, producer and activist who founded the Calgary Spoken Word Society. This unique gathering showcased an exciting ensemble of spoken word and literary talent, and took place April 19 to 24, 2016 in Calgary, Canada.
• Image: Peter Moller
RESEARCHER
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Conducting pre-interviews and organizing key logistical information to move the story forward into production.
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COASTAL REVIVAL tells the story of how passionate environmentalists and First Nations are using the power of ecotourism to preserve the majestic animals of British Columbia’s west coast. These groups are making a concerted effort to save grizzly and spirit bears from trophy hunters, by purchasing the expensive hunting rights to these territories. This 5 part documentary series launched in May 2016 and was produced by Brandy Y Productions.
• Image: Brandy Y Productions
PUBLICITY, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
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From 2016 to 2019, Atelier Culturati has raised the overall profile of the Rubaboo Arts Festival in Edmonton, Canada, through significant mainstream & Indigenous media coverage, social media, marketing and consulting. In 2011 Shivani was a Festival Manager and helped to produce all aspects of the festival, managed relationships with Aboriginal artists & stakeholders, and created partnership & sponsorship deals.
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THE RUBABOO ARTS FESTIVAL is a multidisciplinary, emerging arts festival committed to redressing the erasure of culture and moving us in understanding and inclusion. Rubaboo showcases Aboriginal theatre, music, dance, art, food, family / youth events, artist / cultural workshops, Aboriginal crafts – and is the only festival of its kind in Alberta. Rubaboo is a Métis-Michif word meaning a stew that’s full of life, and food that feeds the spirit; it’s a philosophy about what sustains us. Established in 2009, this annual festival focuses on developing and presenting new artistic works, and invites audiences of all backgrounds to experience these vital and inspiring Indigenous perspectives.
• Image: Marc J Chalifoux Photography
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIRECTOR (2014 & 2015)
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Atelier Culturati sold out 3 performances in 2014 at 420 seats per night, and sold out 5 performances in 2015 at 660 seats per show. Shivani worked closely with the late Michael Green on the 2014 World Premiere. Her foundational work infused Making Treaty 7 into the public consciousness of Calgary and Treaty 7 territory.
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MAKING TREATY 7 WORLD PREMIERE 2014 was a groundbreaking live theatrical performance featuring over 20 First Nations and non-Aboriginal performers, musicians, dancers and poets. This presentation explored the historical significance of the events at Blackfoot Crossing in 1877, while investigating the consequences and implications of Treaty 7, today. The performance embodied the notion that ‘We Are All Treaty People’. Fundamentally, it is relevant to people of all backgrounds and ages, and invites each of us to better understand one another. Making Treaty 7 was founded by the late MICHAEL GREEN (Executive & Creative Producer) and NARCISSE BLOOD (Cultural & Spiritual Advisor).
• Photo: Arnell Tailfeathers
CONSULTANT
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In the areas of publicity, outreach and social media.
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REDx TALKS is Canada’s first international Indigenous speaker series promoting stories of Resilience and Empowerment, while facilitating Discourse (RED) around issues important to Indigenous people worldwide. A platform for traditional knowledge and contemporary culture, REDx Talks is an ever-growing community of some of the most influential Elders, creatives, thinkers and agents of change on Indigenous and conciliation issues. The inaugural REDx Talks took place on October 10, 2015 in Calgary, Canada, and featured Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull (2015), renowned Indigenous academic Dr. Leroy Little Bear, and award-winning Indigenous actress Roseanne Supernault.
• Image: Iiniistsi Treaty Arts Society
CONSULTANT
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To provide an overall marketing & promotions strategy leading up to the film’s launch.
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ELDER IN THE MAKING is an award-winning feature length documentary that invites all residents of North America to explore the tragic and hopeful history of their home. Through the journey of two unlikely travel companions, this film uncovers our responsibility as stewards of the land and of the generations yet to come. Elder in the Making made its world premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival on September 26, 2015 to a sold-out theatre, and future screenings have followed.
• Image: Hidden Story Productions
ASSISTANT PRODUCER OF INDUSTRY EVENTS
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Facilitated outreach and on-the-ground coordination of a special gathering organized by the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance. These conference and industry activities also focused on introducing Atlantic Canadian Aboriginal and culturally diverse artists to national producers and presenters.
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PRISMATIC ARTS FESTIVAL is Canada’s only multi-arts festival featuring culturally diverse and Aboriginal artists. Established in 2008, the festival showcases spectacular performances in theatre, dance, music, spoken word, visual arts and media arts. Prismatic 2015 took place from August 19 to 23 in Halifax, Canada.
• Artwork: Prismatic Arts Festival
PRODUCER, CURATOR & HOST
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IN CONTEXT was a captivating live event designed to provide a greater context of Berlin-based artists and their ideas. Known as “poor, but sexy”, Berlin is full of creativity, artists, galleries and exhibits. There is no shortage of art that one can view, and sometimes navigating these creative waters requires a little more background. In Context created an intimate dialogue with specific artists, providing more depth on their personal stories, their creative processes and their work. Set in the style of a live interview, which consciously included the public, this event ultimately fostered a greater understanding of how we experience art and one another. In Context took place January 2015 at The Ballery in Berlin, Germany – a thriving gallery dedicated to finding new and contemporary forms.
• Photo: The Ballery
CREATOR, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & CURATOR
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Shivani secured partners, generated sponsorship deals and successfully executed a strategic marketing campaign via TV, radio, print, online and grassroots initiatives. She cultivated artist relationships, directed exhibition lay-out and installation, and managed the event. Funkshön took place pre-social media in October 2002 in Edmonton, Canada, and was well-attended with over 450 guests.
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FUNKSHÖN was the ultimate Art Show / Party. The purpose of this large-scale live event was to celebrate artists and salute those devoted to creativity. Artists worldwide were invited to submit their works, which included painting, photography, multi-media, sculpture, illustration, film, theatre, poetry and music. This exhibition truly became a unique experience with a tangible energy.
• Artwork: Perpetual Notion Design