Workman Arts

Workman Arts is a multidisciplinary arts organization that promotes a greater understanding of mental health and addiction issues through creation and presentation. We support artists with lived experience through peer-to-peer arts education, public presentations and partnerships with the broader arts community.

Founded in 1987, Workman Arts is the longest-running multidisciplinary arts and mental health organization in Canada. Since 1992, Workman Arts has presented the annual Rendezvous With Madness Festival, which started as the first film festival to showcase films dealing with themes of mental health and addiction, and made by artists with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction issues. The festival has evolved into one of the largest arts and mental health multidisciplinary festivals in the world. We also present the annual Being Scene juried art exhibition. In 2019, Workman Arts was shortlisted for the Premier’s Arts Award.