ANDPVA, Canada's oldest Indigenous arts service organization, provides support to Indigenous artists in Ontario and around the world. ANDPVA was established in 1972 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1974. At the time, there was little activity being generated or presented in the Indigenous arts community. Indigenous people were reeling from the effects of colonization including Indian residential boarding schools. 

James Howard Buller spearheaded the vision of the new organization leading the first 11 founding members/directors to become the voice of the Indigenous artist. It is said his vision was that Indigenous people would create social change through the arts. He and his colleagues believed that through the performing and visual arts, the legends, stories, histories and social issues of Indigenous people might be revealed in such a manner that would provoke entertainment as well as stir the conscience of Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. It was Buller's goal to demonstrate the rich traditional heritage of Indigenous people and to ensure that Indigenous art was recognized as contributing to the cultural fabric of Canadian society.

ANDPVA is a registered non-profit run by Indigenous collaborators and the artists we hire are Indigenous. Our main focus is to create opportunities for Indigenous artists who travel to Toronto looking for work and to connect to others like themselves. We provide much needed support not found elsewhere.

At ANDPVA’s events – the Red Revue, the Writers’ Room, and Creation and Clan Story workshops – Indigenous artists and audiences see and hear their stories, songs, languages, and cultures reflected back thereby relieving the feeling that they are alone in life.

ANDPVA has successfully programed for the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) to include Indigenous representations for their Friday Night Live Series for years. We programmed our Red Revue series at the iconic Horseshoe Tavern and have been a successful program partner for the Indian Residential School Survivor Legacy Gathering held at Nathan Phillips Square for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation every year. 

ANDPVA continues to be known for providing First Nation, Inuit and Metis programming for the Toronto Community. In our 2019 fiscal year we programed 52 workshops and events with over 2,600 participants.

Our events respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which recommends providing the right to culture. ANDPVA also answers the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action; specifically, #79 “to develop a reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration.

Our events create safe spaces, honour the lives of MMIWG and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, raise awareness of the issues, and gather feedback from families and communities regarding services needed.

MISSION

To create healing through the arts by restoring cultures and identities to Indigenous artists and communities.

MANDATE

We identify, promote, and create opportunities for Indigenous artists to support and develop a self-sufficient community of Indigenous artists who preserve traditional knowledge, advance respective cultural identities and reflect evolving cultural expression helping the community heal from the trauma of colonization.

VISION

To be a well-known national provider of opportunities through the arts while supporting Indigenous artists. 

FUTURE

A cultural hub that provides a physical safe space for healing, better health, a sense of purpose, the opportunity to use, grow, and share inherent gifts and be at peace.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMMING