Indigenous Art 2026: 51st Annual Juried Exhibition

The Woodland Cultural Centre is proud to announce the opening of Indigenous Art 2026: 51st Annual Juried Exhibition.

June 27 ~ October 9, 2026

The exhibition will be on view from June 27 to October 9, 2026, in the Woodland Cultural Centre Galleries.

First launched in 1975, Indigenous Art is the longest-running annual multimedia Indigenous art exhibition in the country. Established during a time when Indigenous artists were largely excluded from mainstream gallery spaces, the exhibition has played a vital role in creating opportunities for Indigenous artistic expression and recognition. Now in its 51st year, Indigenous Art continues to honour and amplify the diverse voices, perspectives, and creative practices of Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island.

This year’s exhibition is curated by Alex Jacobs-Blum, a Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga) and German visual artist and curator whose work explores Indigenous futurities, ancestral knowledge, and cultural continuity. A former exhibitor in Indigenous Art, Jacobs-Blum brings both personal experience and a contemporary curatorial vision to this year’s exhibition.

Indigenous Art 2026 features works by emerging, mid-career, and established artists of Indigenous ancestry working across a wide range of media. The selected artworks reflect the strength, innovation, and diversity of contemporary Indigenous artistic practices while engaging with themes of identity, community, land, memory, and future-making.

“The Woodland Cultural Centre is proud to welcome another year of Indigenous Art. The meshing of established and emerging artistic voices once again come together to illuminate for us what is inspiring and motivating Indigenous artists across Turtle Island,” said Jake Jamieson, Artistic & Programming Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre. “The landscape continues to evolve and our Nation to Nation differences and similarities on display reflect an exciting and ever-growing era of Indigenous Art.”

The exhibition will also recognize artistic excellence through the presentation of the Patricia Deadman Emerging Artist Award and the Established Artist Award, celebrating artists whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, and contributions to Indigenous art.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Opening Reception and experience this landmark exhibition firsthand. Admission to the reception is free and all are welcome.

About the Woodland Cultural Centre:
The Woodland Cultural Centre is a First Nations educational and cultural centre that serves to preserve and promote Indigenous languages, cultures, art, and history. Located on the site of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, the WCC strives to be a leading destination for cultural learning and understanding.

Location: Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, Ontario

Website: https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/