Introducing the Artivism Cohort
Meet the Artivists Behind this Cycle's Civic Stories
On July 3rd, fifteen people logged onto a call from across Canada and beyond, some from Edmonton, some joining from other provinces, a few from further afield, and officially became the 2026 Artivism Cohort. I was one of them too, which still feels a little strange to write, founding this thing and also being one of the fifteen learning alongside everyone else.
We opened the session the way ECHOFORM opens most things, by asking folks icebreaker questions:
This time, the question was “how are you arriving tonight?”
And at the end of the session, we checked in again, this time flipping the question to “how are you leaving tonight?”.
Similarly excited was the top pick from our participants!
Now, the cohort moves into its working rhythm:
Weekly Friday labs running from July 10 through August 21 at EPL Stanley A. Milner, each one building a different muscle, storytelling, art, research, public dialogue, the tools ECHOFORM has always been built around. After the labs wrap, the group comes together for a Mentorship Circle, and then a retreat in September before the work goes public later this year.
Onboarding — July 3rd. The cohort’s first session ran virtually, bringing together all fifteen participants for introductions, an overview of the program, and that opening pair of questions about arriving and leaving.
Coming up: Weekly Labs, July 10 to August 21. Seven Friday sessions at EPL Stanley A. Milner, each one a different entry point into civic storytelling, from lived experience to public voice.
The Advice Constellation: A Mentorship Circle in Edmonton — August 28. Following the labs, the cohort gathers for a dedicated mentorship session. Registration is open now on Eventbrite. RSVP early. Spots are limited to 20 for the public.
Retreat — September. Details to come as the date and venue are finalized.
Public Showcase — October. We’re not locking in a date publicly just yet, but the cohort’s work will be shared with the community this fall.
Call for Volunteers. We’re looking for a few extra hands to support lab logistics, photography, and day-of coordination. If you or someone you know wants to be part of this from the ground, reach out.