Arts and Culture Tourism Summit 2025

Manitoba has a rich cultural scene and stunning natural landscapes. The summit serves as a pivotal platform for industry professionals, artists, cultural leaders and policymakers to explore innovative ways of integrating arts and culture into tourism experiences.

Agenda
Audrey Dwyer
Angela Cassie
Kondwani Mwase
Trudy Schroeder
Mary Agnes Welch
Indigenous Art and Tourism Panel

When: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Where: Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq

Time: 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Agenda


Summit Schedule

8:15a.m.Doors and Registration open
8:45a.m.Opening Remarks–Colin Ferguson Travel Manitoba and Audrey Dwyer Manitoba Arts Council
9:10a.m.Economic Impact Study Results of the Arts and Culture Tourist–Jackie Tenuta–Travel Manitoba
9:45a.m.Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats–2023 compared to 2025–Mary Agnes Welch–Probe Research
Break
10:55a.m.Partnering With, and In, Rural Communities–Trudy Schroeder–Arts & Heritage Solutions
11:30a.m.Lunch
12:10p.m.Audience Engagement and Community Connections–Kondwani Mwase–National Arts Centre
1:15p.m.Collaborating and Partnering with Indigenous Communities in the Arts Sector–Darcie Guarderas–Indigenous Tourism Manitoba with panelists: Florence Hamilton, Lisa Meeches and Fred Spence
Break
2:35p.m.Traveller Segmentation and Arts and Culture Tourism Research Findings–Yan Cong–Travel Manitoba
3:15p.m.Manitoba’s Arts and Culture Identity Workshop–UpHouse Inc.
4:30p.m.End of Event

Co-host

Audrey Dwyer–Manitoba Arts Council

Audrey Dwyer was born and raised in Winnipeg and began her artistic career as a performer at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. She studied theatre at Canada’s National Theatre School in Montreal. She has been working in the arts for over 20 years – as a writer, director, and teacher and more. As an artist she has worked locally, nationally and internationally. In 2008, she began her transition to arts administration. Some of her work includes being the Assistant Artistic Director of Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, the Artistic Director of Cow Over Moon Theatre and was the Associate Artistic Director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Currently, she is the Director of Granting at the Manitoba Arts Council.

Co-host

Angela Cassie–Travel Manitoba

Angela Cassie is an arts, culture and tourism executive who has served as Travel Manitoba’s Chief Operating Officer since June 2023. She has held executive roles with two of Canada’s National Museums - the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

She has extensive experience in strategic planning, communications and marketing, programming, risk management, leadership development and coaching, government and stakeholder relations and leading teams to achieve corporate goals in government and the non-profit sector.

Keynote

Kondwani Mwase–National Arts Centre

Kondwani Mwase is an accomplished marketing professional with over a decade's experience in the fields of engagement, loyalty and communications. He has used his skills to cultivate long standing relationships with communities and strategic partners alike. A true believer in the power of genuine allyship, he's acute at uncovering underlying needs and working with people in service of designing captivating experiences. As a leader, he's as much a doer as he is a listener. In 2019, Kondwani launched 54Lights podcast. The show, a showcase for African accomplishment, reflects Kondwani's genuine connection to the continent and its diverse peoples. A symbol of both passion and purpose, it stands as proof that he's committed to elevating cultures and spreading understanding.

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Plenary

Trudy Schroeder–Arts & Heritage Solutions

Trudy Schroeder is recognized as one of Canada’s leaders in the cultural sector. She has served as president and spokesperson for many initiatives of Orchestras Canada, the Canadian Conference of the Arts, the Canadian Arts Coalition, and Manitobans for the Arts. She is a regular speaker for conferences and conventions related to the cultural sector and community leadership. She has served on selection juries for the Juno awards, and she helps to mentor the next generation of leaders. Through her leadership roles with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Winnipeg Folk Festival, she has championed the power of the arts to create social change, structural change, and physical changes in our city and province. Since 2021, Trudy has been providing consulting services through Arts & Heritage Solutions.

Plenary

Mary Agnes Welch–Probe Research

Mary Agnes Welch is a partner at Probe Research where she helps associations, non-profits, unions and governments understand what the public thinks about big policy issues, and why.

Her work designing public opinion surveys, focus groups and data-driven engagement projects has helped clients understand everything from Winnipeggers’ views on curbside composting to what kind of Indigenous experiences tourists want to the best name for a cool new museum exhibit.

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Panel Discussion: Collaborating and Partnering with Indigenous Communities in the Arts Sector

Panel Moderator

Darcie Guarderas–Tansi Solutions and Indigenous Tourism Manitoba

Darcie Guarderas, a co-founder of Tansi Solutions, brings over 35 years of senior-level experience in the Canadian tourism industry, spanning product development, operations, marketing, sales, and business development. With her Métis heritage, Darcie possesses a deep understanding of the unique needs and opportunities within Manitoba's Indigenous tourism sector. Through her role at Indigenous Tourism Manitoba, she provides dedicated, one-on-one support to Indigenous tourism businesses, helping them to thrive and grow.

Panelist

Diandre Thomas-Hart – Manito Ahbee Festival

Diandre is a Rocky and Swampy Cree woman, a member of the Peguis First Nation and bloodline from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation but recognizes herself as an urban member who grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. A dedicated community leader, she has been a strong advocate for Indigenous youth empowerment. She is currently the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Executive Director of BuffaloHyde Creative, a Cree and Métis-led digital media arts company. A sought-after speaker, and planner, Diandre brings passion and expertise to every space she enters. As a young mother and changemaker, she is committed to reclamation, healthy relationships, and Truth and Reconciliation, while using her voice to uplift Indigenous communities.

Panelist

Florence Hamilton–Dene Routes

A proud Sayisi Dene woman, Florence has spent years reconnecting with her heritage after growing up without fully understanding her identity. Her journey of learning, listening, and reclaiming her culture has shaped the work she does today.

Through Dene Routes, Florence shares what she has learned with others, offering 1-hour presentations that highlight the deep history, resilience, and traditions of the Dene people. She also provides a Taste of Culture, where guests can experience traditional foods and introduces the art of caribou hair tufting, an intricate and beautiful craft passed down through generations.

With humility and a deep respect for her ancestors, Florence welcomes visitors to learn, listen, and connect with the rich history of the Dene.

Panelist

Fred Spence–Spence Custom Carvings

Fredrick Lyle Spence is an Ojibwe mixed media sculptor from Peguis First Nation who is currently based in Winnipeg. Drawing on the Seven Grandfather Teachings rooted in the Anishinaabe worldview, Fredrick explores themes of identity, tradition, love, joy, spiritual well-being and mental health in his work.

Travel Manitoba Presentations

Key Trends and Traveller Segmentation Program

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Arts and Culture Tourism Economic Impact Study

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