CANADA-UKRAINE FOUNDATIONCANADA-UKRAINE FOUNDATION
Art is the soul of our people; our strength and identity.
The AID for ARTISTS fund of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation provides an outlet for the community at large to support the arts and artists of Ukraine who keep our homeland forward-facing, courageous and united. Preserving and advancing Ukrainian culture is now more important than ever.
Projects related to re-establishment, creation, and jobs in the arts sector will be considered. Funding will go to: individuals, organizations, all genres of visual & performing arts of Ukraine
AID for ARTISTS funds artists, arts workers, arts organizations, arts institutions and artist advocates to improve the preservation, promotion and development of Ukrainian arts in Ukraine.
QR Code – Aid for Artists
By supporting Ukrainian artists, we are helping Ukraine and its culture emerge from the shadows of imperialism and to its rightful place on the world stage. – Dr. Brian Cherwick
Darka Tarnawsky
Darka was the recipient of the 1998 Macewan Distinguished Alumni Award and won the Mayor’s Award for Promotion of the Arts in Edmonton in 2005.
She was a part-time instructor and curriculum developer in the Faculty of Fine Arts & Communications: Arts & Cultural Management Program at Macewan University from 2003 to 2016. Her faculty work focused on publicity/media relations, marketing principles, and audience/resource development.
Darka is a former Ukrainian Shumka Dancer, a Lifetime Honorary Member and current Executive Director of the organization. As ED, she has overseen the development of several new artistic works and community engagement projects for the 60-year old Canadian arts institution.
The arts have been an important part of my life because of growing up in a Ukrainian family where culture was always at the forefront. The arts are an essential part of the lifestyle in Ukraine, and rebuilding what has been lost in the war must be a priority. Whether it is dance, poetry, music or visual arts, it is the voice and soul of our people. – Darka Tarnawsky
He has also recorded recitals as baritone soloist for CBC/SRC and is in much demand as choral clinician, vocal coach, conductor, consultant, guest lecturer and adjudicator. He recently released as solo recording entitled “Bat’kivshchyna” with pianist Aude Urbancic. This fall his chamber choir Ewashko Singers will be featured on a new recording on Parma Records of Boston singing Heavenly Songs (eleven choral works for the Ukrainian Liturgy) Joanna Estelle Storoschuk. This past March he facilitated the Ottawa premier performance of an oratorio he commissioned to honor the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada in 2016. The 30-minute Golden Harvest was written by Larysa Kuzmenko and librettist Talia Zajac.
Through his extensive involvement with professional and amateur choirs and orchestras throughout Canada and Europe, Laurence Ewashko continues to contribute significantly to the quality and appreciation of choral music in Canada and abroad.
I have had the great opportunity to meet and observe, over the years, many people as they develop a profound love of musical excellence in the choral arts. Communal vocal expression creates musical beauty in vibrant venues and lifts the spirit, both of the performer and members of the audience. I hope that this fund will offer ensembles in Ukraine the opportunity to continue their important community service to offer healing and sustenance as Ukraine slowly rebuilds. – Laurence Ewashko
Tanya Mykytiuk is a graphic designer and folk artist in Toronto, Ontario who has been an active supporter of Ukrainian arts in Canada and beyond through dance, music, and visual arts her entire life. She is an alumna of Arkan Dance Company, where her passion for Ukrainian dance, folk dress and ethnographic diversity was first ignited.
She has been a volunteer, designer, and curator at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch and has worked with several Ukrainian arts groups across Canada and the US.
Tanya’s Ukrainian heritage is an integral part of her identity and contributes to her professional work with Ukrainian arts and non-profit organizations, as Ptashka. Also known as “Ukrainian Chicken”, Tanya is proud to be part of the North American pysanka community and is dedicated to preserving the traditions of pysankarstvo, as well as promoting this art form within and beyond the Ukrainian diaspora.
It’s difficult to imagine a world without art, and Ukrainian arts in particular are intensely rich and diverse, capturing our complex history, the soul of our people, and the spirit of our ancestors. Supporting and rebuilding the arts community in Ukraine is integral to preserving Ukraine’s cultural legacy for generations to come. – Tanya Mykytiuk
Previous to that, he was the Interim Artistic Director at Calgary Opera from 2016 to 2018. For three years, he was the Executive Director of the McGill Chamber Orchestra, one of Canada’s oldest professional chamber ensembles. Taras was also the founding General & Artistic Director of the Green Mountain Opera Festival (2005-2012), a successful regional opera festival in Central Vermont.
Taras studied Economics at Concordia University, voice performance at McGill University and opera at the University of Toronto. He developed as a young performer at Vancouver Opera’s young artist program and several programs in the US including the Tanglewood Music Centre, Ravinia’s Steans Institute and the Aspen Opera Theatre.
Taras is proud to serve as the President of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian National Federation of Quebec and is a member of the Music Committee of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
Now, more than ever, we need to support artists in Ukraine, they are the heartbeat of our culture and our identity. This fund will offer them some support especially during this time of war. – Taras Kulish
If we’re not fighting to preserve and promote the arts that define our culture…. then what are we fighting for? – Vince Rees
