Art Canada Institute: Redefining the Narrative of Canadian Art History
The Art Canada Institute (ACI) is dedicated to making Canadian art history a contemporary and inclusive conversation. By leveraging digital accessibility and scholarly research, the ACI works to broaden the public's understanding of the nation's creative legacy, ensuring that both celebrated masters and overlooked visionaries are recognized.
Key Facts
- 60+ online art books published to date, available for free in English and French.
- 50+ teacher resource guides created for primary and secondary education.
- Inclusive Focus: Aims to redefine the art canon by featuring underrepresented and Indigenous artists.
- Multi-platform Reach: Offers digital e-books, print monographs, public lectures, and academic fellowships.
- Educational Support: Hosts the Canadian Art Inspiration Student Challenge for grades 7-12.
The Online Canadian Art Book Project
Launched in November 2013 with the release of Jack Chambers: Life and Work by Mark A. Cheetham, the Online Canadian Art Book Project is an encyclopedic series of free e-books. These volumes are authored by curators and art historians who provide original scholarship on the significance of various artists, making high-level art history accessible to a general audience.
To ensure inclusivity, every volume is published in both English and French and available in multiple downloadable formats. Through partnerships with cultural heritage institutions, the ACI has brought archival objects and artworks—previously hidden in vaults or restricted to specific galleries—into the public eye.
The project balances the study of seminal figures with those absent from mainstream narratives. While it features icons like Emily Carr, Norval Morrisseau, and Michael Snow, it also highlights artists such as Kathleen Munn to fill "holes" in the historical record. Recent additions to the series (2023-2025) include works on Yousuf Karsh, Betty Goodwin, Carl Beam, and Jin-me Yoon.
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Expanding the Reach: Print and Public Engagement
The Canadian Art Library Series
Complementing the digital library, the Canadian Art Library Series is the first national initiative focused specifically on monographs—detailed studies of a single artist—about Canadian creators. Up to four print editions are published annually, selected from the digital collection.
Notable publications include Kent Monkman's Revision and Resistance: mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2020) and Being Legendary at Royal Ontario Museum: Confronting Colonialism, Rethinking History (2022), the latter of which was recognized as one of the Best Art Books of the Year by Galleries West Magazine.
Public Art Talks
The ACI hosts public lectures that bring the authors of their art books into conversation with other experts. These events tackle diverse themes, from the legacies of women artists to the complexities of art fraud in Canada. In 2021, artist Kent Monkman used this platform to discuss his diptych mistikôsiwak and its relationship to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collections, specifically challenging the 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.
Education and Academic Initiatives
The Canadian Schools Art Education Program
Designed to support educators, this program provides open-source teacher resource guides for primary and secondary schools. With over 50 guides published, the program integrates art with other disciplines, such as mathematical concepts (via The Art of Math) and climate change (via Green Learning).
The program also features the Canadian Art Inspiration Student Challenge, inviting students in grades 7 through 12 to create original art inspired by leading Canadian artists. Winners receive cash prizes of $500 for first place and $250 for honourable mentions. In recognition of these efforts, the program received the Ontario Art Education Association’s Community Art Educator Award in 2023.
Fellowships and Community Updates
In 2022, the ACI introduced The Redefining Canadian Art History Fellowship Program. This initiative supports research into underrepresented Canadian and Indigenous artists to create a more inclusive historical record. Additionally, the ACI maintains a weekly Friday newsletter that curates artworks and updates on the organization's latest programming.
Summary of ACI Programs
| Program | Primary Format | Key Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Online Canadian Art Book Project | Free E-books | Encyclopedic digital archive of Canadian artists |
| Canadian Art Library Series | Print Monographs | Physical publications of selected digital titles |
| Public Art Talks | Lectures/Interviews | Contemporary conversation on art history |
| Schools Art Education Program | Resource Guides | K-12 educational support and student challenges |
| Redefining Art History Fellowship | Research Grants | Supporting studies on underrepresented artists |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ACI online art books free to access?
Yes, all volumes in the Online Canadian Art Book Project are available for free download on the ACI website in multiple formats.
In what languages are the ACI resources published?
To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, the e-books and educational resource guides are published in both English and French.
Who is eligible for the Canadian Art Inspiration Student Challenge?
The challenge is open to students in grades 7 through 12 who create original artworks inspired by leading Canadian artists.
What is the goal of the Redefining Canadian Art History Fellowship Program?
Launched in 2022, the fellowship aims to create a more inclusive art history by supporting research on Canadian and Indigenous artists who have been historically underrepresented.
How does the ACI support classroom teachers?
The ACI provides over 50 expert-authored, open-source teacher resource guides and Independent Student Learning Activities to facilitate the study of various subjects through Canadian art.