• Comment: just advertsing. Theroadislong (talk) 18:41, 18 December 2024 (UTC)

Manitoba Arts Network (MAN) is a non-profit, charitable organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1984, it connects and supports visual and performing artists, as well as arts organizations across the province. The organization works to increase access to the arts in rural and northern communities and fosters professional development for artists.

MAN’s mandate is to create opportunities for all Manitobans to experience and participate in the arts. The organization promotes both visual and performing artists through touring programs, exhibitions, festivals, and other cultural events. It also offers professional development resources for artists and arts organizations across the province.

The Manitoba Arts Network was founded in 1984 by a group of rural arts councils who recognized the need for a provincial organization to support arts development in rural communities. For over three decades, MAN has acted as a liaison between artists, presenters, and communities, facilitating collaboration and the exchange of ideas. It has grown to serve over 50 arts and cultural organizations, as well as 77 individual artist members, across seven regions in Manitoba.

MAN operates a variety of programs designed to support artists, connect them with communities, and raise the profile of the arts in Manitoba.

Touring Exhibition Program: MAN organizes annual visual art exhibitions that travel to over 25 communities in Manitoba, showcasing both emerging and professional artists.

Manitoba Rural & Northern Juried Art Show: A highlight of MAN’s visual arts programming, this exhibition features artworks selected from regional juried shows and is visited by thousands of patrons each year. 210 Gallery: Located in Winnipeg, the 210 Gallery is a venue that hosts exhibitions featuring Manitoba artists, providing exposure to local talent.

Touring and Showcasing Artists: Through its block booking system, MAN coordinates touring performances by Canadian artists, allowing smaller communities to access live performances they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Indigenous Touring Program: This program specifically supports Indigenous artists by providing them with opportunities to perform and showcase their work across Manitoba.

Emerging Artist Program (RBC): In partnership with RBC, this initiative offers mentorship and performance opportunities to emerging Manitoba musicians, helping them build careers in the arts industry.

Manitoba Showcase is an annual arts event organized by MAN that serves as a professional development and booking conference. It brings together over 150 artists, presenters, and arts professionals from across Canada to connect, showcase their work, and discuss new opportunities. The event includes workshops, networking activities, and live performances. An important feature of the Showcase is the RBC Emerging Artist Mentorship program, which pairs emerging musicians with experienced mentors to help them develop their careers.

MAN plays a critical role in strengthening the arts sector in rural and northern Manitoba by facilitating access to professional arts programming and helping communities integrate the arts into their cultural fabric. The organization’s impact is reflected in the thousands of Manitobans who attend its touring exhibitions and performances annually, as well as the hundreds of artists who have benefited from MAN’s mentorship and networking programs.

According to CBC News, MAN's work has significantly increased opportunities for local artists to gain exposure and has helped elevate the province's arts scene as a whole.^[1]

MAN's Manitoba Rural & Northern Juried Art Show has been recognized as an important event in the Manitoba art scene. In 2020, the show went online for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing artists from across the province to present their work virtually.^[2]

The Indigenous Summer Tour program, which brings Indigenous performances to rural communities, has also been highlighted in the press for its role in promoting Indigenous culture and fostering reconciliation through the arts.^[3]