Howdy! My name is Kyra Min, I’m a prospective Master of Education graduate student specializing in Social Justice Education. My research focus on intersectional stand-up comedy and humorous resilience has led me to the Cultural Assistant summer student position here at Creative Barrie.
Working alongside the Cultural Development Officer and Public Art Coordinator within Barrie’s Economic and Creative Development department, I’ve explored a wide range of administrative and research roles throughout my four-month placement. From representing Creative Barrie at the Codrington Fun Fair to developing creative sector resource toolkits, I’ve had an event-packed summer here at the City of Barrie.
Bobbing between City Hall, the Sandbox Centre, and all the community spaces in between, I’ve spent much of the summer on foot sharing programming materials and funding opportunities to local organizations. Yet my most memorable moments were spent after hours in the arts ad culture scene; garden-side with Talk is Free Theatre’s THE FROGS, watching the Barrie Art Club’s Art Blast at Five Points Theatre, and welcoming the MacLaren’s Summer Opening Reception.
From May through August I supported the facilitation and planning of pivotal arts and culture initiatives including Brightening Barriers, Graffiti Abatement Traffic Cabinets, Culture Days, Doors Open, Culture Night Out, Music Sector Meetups, and more. My research on community celebration and public art funding models hopes to have a lasting impact with Creative Barrie as the City works towards implementing its Cultural Plan and Public Art Strategy.
With a community-based research background in Critical Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) studies with the Media Action Research Group (MARG), I had a smooth transition into the ever-evolving world of municipal work. Yet my time with Creative Barrie has been irreplaceable on account of the amazing team members I’ve met and worked alongside! As I go on to begin graduate studies at Lakehead University in Orillia this fall, I look forward to my continued participation in Barrie’s arts and culture sector as a community member!
***
The Cultural Assistant summer student position is partially funded by the Canada Summer Jobs federal funding program and the Summer Employment Opportunities program through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.