Taqralik Partridge Appointed Executive Director of Aaqsiiq Theatre

Nunavimmiusajaq writer, spoken word poet, and curator Taqralik Partridge is the new Executive Director of Aaqsiiq Theatre, formerly known as the Nunavik Inuit Theatre Company. Aaqsiiq is the first theatre company in Nunavik. It aims to create, develop, and present theatrical productions and workshops that reflect and enrich Inuit language and culture. “Nunavik is home to so much talent and deep cultural knowledge. I look forward to working with youth and artists of all ages,”[1] Partridge says. 

Partridge previously held positions as Director of Communications and Publications at the Avataq Cultural Institute in Montreal, QC, and Director of the Nordic Lab at SAW in Ottawa, ON. Exhibitions she has recently curated include the forthcoming Qillaniq (2026) at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, alongside an all-Indigenous team of curators from across the North, and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory’s travelling solo exhibition Nuliakinik Neqilik (2026). In 2024, Partridge was shortlisted in the Circumpolar category for the Sobey Art Award. 

Partridge’s appointment as ED coincides with the start of the theatrical production Aukkauti’s regional tour on May 30 in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, QC. Directed by Lisa Koperqualuk and Akinisie Sivuarapik and performed entirely in Inuktitut, Aukkauti chronicles the origin of Nunavik's communities.

On May 23, the Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures Artist-in-Residence exhibition Nunatsiavummiut Art for Sustainability opened at The Rooms in St. John’s, NL. Co-curated by Inuk artist and curator Jessica Winters and Dr. Melanie Zurba, the exhibition showcases artwork by Eldred Allen, Julia Andersen, Emelia Angnatok, Roberta Baikie-Andersen, Katelyn Jacque, Maura Jacque, Anika Nochasak, Belinda Shiwak, and Jacqueline Winters. The work in this exhibition addresses topics such as climate change, food insecurity, and self-determination in Nunatsiavut. The exhibition is on view until August 16. 

Interdisciplinary Kalaallit artist Jessie Kleemann is participating in an artist residency with the National Maritime Museum and Royal Holloway, University of London, in the UK. Kleemann’s practice includes performance, installation, film, poetry, and painting. Through her work, she examines how Kalaallit identity and tradition as well as the body, land, and language can change over time. For this project, Kleemann will focus on maritime traditions, particularly on the qajaq, the man’s boat, and the umiaq, the woman’s boat. 

Canadian Arctic Producers is trying to sell a collection of over 20,000 original drawings and prints from Ulukhaqtuuq, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NT, spanning 1962 to 2000. The collection, currently stored in over 50 boxes in Mississauga, ON, is of works by 108 artists, including Mary Okheena, Helen Kalvak,CM, RCA (1901–1984), Mark Emerak, Harry Egotak (1925–2009), Elsie Klengenberg, and Mabel Nigiyok. In 2020, the collection was appraised at $4.1 million. If sold, the money would go back to the Ulukhaktok Inuit Co-op. “I hope and pray that it works out for the co-op and for Arctic Co-operatives Limited. So…the money can go back into the coop here and create some beautiful buildings, some beautiful places where the artists can work and the people can shop,” [2] Okheena told the CBC. 

The 26th edition of imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts festival runs from June 2 to 7 in Toronto, ON. imagineNATIVE celebrates Indigenous storytelling in film and media arts from around the world. The theme for this year centres on “creating space for urgent dialogue, uplifting stories of resistance, solidarity, and truth-telling, and affirming Indigenous knowledge as a pathway toward a sustainable future and shared humanity.”[3] Festival programming includes film screenings, exhibitions, and professional development and networking opportunities. This year, the festival will present works representing 56 Indigenous Nations across 20 countries. Screenings include animated short film Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks) (2025) directed by Louise Flaherty; short documentary Nivingajuliat (2026), directed by Shelby Lisk and Tess Girard, featuring artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona’s latest wallhanging, which reimagines the story of Nuliajuk; and documentary feature Walls – Akinni Inuk (2025), directed by Nina Paninnguaq Skydsbjerg and Sofie Rørdam. A screening of Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) (2025), directed by Zacharias Kunuk,OC, ONu, LLD, will close the festival. Tickets for the in-person festival are on sale now. The online festival takes place from June 8 to 14. 

The 2026 Arctic Arts Summit (AAS) will take place in Ubmeje (Umeå), Sápmi (Sweden) from June 16 to 18. The AAS is an event that brings together representatives from Arctic countries and Indigenous Nations of the circumpolar region to strengthen arts and culture in the North and facilitate collaboration in the creative industries. The theme of this year’s summit is “Land, Power, Art” and will include sessions focused on celebrating cultural life, language, and resilience in the Arctic; Indigenous leadership; reclaiming narrative sovereignty; sustainable futures; geopolitics; and fostering networks, partnerships and collaborative dialogue. 

The IAQ editorial team has created some new artist profiles. If you’re interested in sculpture and jewellery, take a look at Inuvialuk artist Simutuk Orland (OD) Hansen’s profile. If you’d like to look at some textile work, be sure to check out Nunatsiavimmiut artist Veronica Flowers’s profile. 

Notes 

1 Taqralik Partridge quote, Aaqsiiq Theatre press release, May 2026.

2 Liny Lamberink, “Thousands of Holman-era prints in Ontario storage could be financial boost Ulukhaktok’s art scene needs,” CBC, cbc.ca/news/canada/north/ulukhaktok-prints-storage-for-sale-9.7198265, May 2026.

3 The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival Unveils Its 2026 Programming, imaginenative.org/the-imaginenative-film-media-arts-festival-unveils-its-2026-programming/.