Upcoming Events
2010 Eva Holtby Lecture - speaker and date to be announced soon!
Past Events
CanAsian International Dance Festival
Museum Dances: Ancient Inspiration, Contemporary Interpretation
May 7, 8, 9, 2010 and May 14, 15, 16, 2010
At various locations throughout the ROM
Over two weekends, the CanAsian International Dance Festival performed in unique spaces at the ROM. Presenting world class dance inspired by Asian culture and aesthetics, dancers, choreographers and musicians responded to selected artifacts and spaces of the Museum. Works by Natasha Bakht, Moving Dragon Dance Company, Soojung Kwon and F.A.M.
Public Events accompanying Dan Perjovschi: Late News
FILM: Videograms of a Revolution (1992)
Wednesday, May 19, 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
A subversive documentary film by German filmmakers Andrei Ujica and Harun Farocki, comprised of amateur video and Romanian state television broadcasts created during the historic December 1989 revolution.Enter through the President’s Choice Group Entrance on the south side of the Museum.
General Public $10 / ROM Members & Students $8 / Friends of ICC $6.
Tickets available at the door only.
The Ethos and Ethics of The New Yorker Cartoons featuring Robert Mankoff
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 – 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
A light-hearted evening with Robert Mankoff, the cartoon editor of The New Yorker, who comapares how The New Yorker magazine deals with topical issues in its cartoons versus newspaper editorial cartoonists. After his presentation, The Globe and Mail’s Margaret Wente leads a discussion and Q&A with Mankoff. Listen to an audio podcast of the evening.
Bloody Cartoons: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 – 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
Directed by Karsten Kjaer, this documentary investigates how and why twelve drawings in a Danish provincial paper could whirl a small country into a confrontation with Muslims all over the world. Presented in association with the exhibition Dan Perjovschi: Late News, this forceful film demonstrates the power of the political cartoon in today’s global context. A panel discussion on the role of the press in controversial issues will follow.
Artist in the Gallery - Dan Perjovschi: Late News
February 15 – 21, 2010
Institute for Contemporary Culture – Level 4
Drop by the Roloff Beny Gallery on Level 4 of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal between February 15 and 21 for a chance to see visiting Romanian artist Dan Perjovschi at work, creating unique and original drawings directly on the gallery walls. FREE with ROM admission during regular
museum hours.
Artist Talk featuring Dan Perjovschi
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 – 7 pm
Institute for Contemporary Culture – Level 4
Join us for an up-close and personal talk with visiting artist Dan Perjovschi as he discusses his work, his practice, and his experiences of working in museums and galleries all over the world. A Q & A with the artist will follow. Enter through main ROM doors, on Bloor Street W.
FREE Admission.
‘Adapt-a-script’
The New Wave of Romanian Cinema: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 4, 2010, 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, Level 1B
The ICC teams up with ToRo Arts Group, a not-for-profit organization purposed on the promotion of Romanian culture in Toronto, to present the film ‘La nouvelle vague roumain’,by Marius Doicov and Vincent Guyottot followed by a panel discussion on the much-discussed New Wave of Romanian Cinema and its aesthetic ways of addressing the ‘messiness of Romanian life, its cruelty, bare-bones richness and overwhelming humour.’
Artist Talk featuring Jayce Salloum and Khadim Ali
Saturday, April 3, 2010, 1 pm
Level 2 - Bronfman Hall
A talk with the artists behind the exhibition Bamiyan (the heart that has no love/pain/generosity is not a heart) on display at the ROM from April 3 to May 2, 2010. Vancouver-based media artist Jayce Salloum and Australia based Afghan-Hazara artist Khadim Ali discuss their collaborative contemporary art installation examining the destruction of the colossal 5th century Buddhas of the Bamiyan Valley in Central Afghanistan by the Taliban in March, 2001.
Hamra Abbas: An Intimate Artist's Talk
Friday, March 19, 2010 – 7 pm
Level 3
A lively talk with the artist behind the work Read, a multi-media installation on display at the ROM until March 28. Read is a suspended labyrinth-like wooden structure, concealing speakers playing the sound of children reciting the Qur’an as they memorize its verses. Hamra Abbas was born in Kuwait in 1976, and now lives and works between Boston and Islamabad, Pakistan. Presented by the ICC, in association with Friends of South Asia and SAVAC (South Asian Visual Arts Centre).
‘The Question of Celebrity’ Film Series
November 23 and December 14, 2009
In association with Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913 – 2008, the ICC hosts 4 exciting an entertaining films: Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens (2006) directed by Barbara Leibovitz , Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008) directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Grey Gardens (1975) directed by Albert and David Maysles and Celebrity (1998) directed by Woody Allen.
SONY Family Portrait Weekend
November 14 & 15, 11 am - 4 pm
One exciting weekend, professional photographers from SONY were on site for a range of fun family activities. Presented in cooperation with Sony of Canada Ltd., children and their parents will hone their photography skills using a SONY Digital SLR camera to take great portraits.
Facing the Lens, Seeing the Light: Observations on Portrait Photography
November 9, 2009 at 7 pm
Co-presented by the AGO and the ICC at the ROM
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
This illustrated talk explores different facets of the photographic portrait, its significance through the history of photography and its enduring fascination. Panelists include Lilly Koltun, Director General of the Portrait Gallery of Canada, noted photographer Nigel Dickson, and gallery owner Jane Corkin. Moderated by Sophie Hackett, AGO Assistant Curator of Photography, and Francisco Alvarez, Managing Director of the Institute for Contemporary Culture at the ROM.
Lewis Lapham on ‘Celebrity in Contemporary Culture’
October 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Celebrated American writer and publishing magnate Lewis Lapham presented ‘Celebrity in Contemporary Culture.’ This lecture was part of the programming series, The Question of Celebrity, associated with Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913 – 2008.
An Evening with Meryl Streep
October 7, 2009
From Sophie’s Choice to Julie & Julia, Meryl Streep has earned a position in the world of film equalled by few. The ROM is pleased to present an evening of thoughtful reflection with one of today’s true Hollywood icons.
Sponsored by:
Meet the Artist: El Anatsui
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7 pm
Art Gallery of Ontario - Baillie Court, 317 Dundas Street W
Famed Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui kicks off Art Talks this fall in Calgary and Toronto with a slide lecture outlining his storied career. El Anatsui’s amazing metal-cloth series and important sculptures in wood, ceramic and mixed media will be part of his first-ever career retrospective, which will have its world premiere in fall 2010 at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Institute for Contemporary Culture. The exhibition will then travel to New York for the landmark reopening of the Museum for African Art. The ICC at the ROM extends special thanks to the AGO for organizing this special presentation. This event is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Art Foundation, and is part of the Art Talks 2009 International Art Speaker Series, sponsored by BMO Financial Group.
Culture Shock: Celebrity Watch
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30 pm
An unforgettable evening of film and fame, produced in association with Filminute, the international one-minute film festival. This 2nd annual Culture Shock event was held in the ROM's acclaimed c5 Restaurant Lounge and proceeds supported the ICC's exhibitions and public programs. Check out photos from the evening.
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Housepaint Artists in Action
Five unique and exciting artists worked in the Roloff Beny Gallery over the run of Housepaint. In April, artist SPECTER added his soaring work to Hyacinth Gloria Chen Court, and in May, FAUXREEL installed his new work on the ROM Plaza, and many other surprising locations inside the ROM.
Film Screening: Subtext
May 27, 2009
Screening of Eric Weissman's new film with a Director's Q & A.
Relive the troubled history of Tent City and its aftermath.
Art for Art's Sake: Exploring Contemporary South Asian Art
Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
A fascinating look at contemporary South Asian art. Bold, beautiful, and often provocative in joining modern and traditional elements, South Asian art of recent decades has attracted considerable international attention and garnered record market prices. This event was a co-presentation between the Friends of South Asia and the Friends of ICC.
Talking Street Art
March 25 2009
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion examining the interplay between street artists and cultural institutions.
See the panelists
Films on Street Art
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
The ICC presents two exciting films on the subject of street art. Each will begin at 7pm. Tickets will be available at the door.
$10 general, $8 students & seniors, $6 Friends of ICC.
February 19, 2009
Next: A Primer on Urban Painting
Pablo Aravena, 2005, Canada, 95 min.
February 26, 2009
Bomb it
Jon Reiss, 2007, USA, 93 min.
Claudia and Friends
Sunday, March 1, 2009, 3 pm
Samuel Hall 
Currelly Gallery
The ICC presents one of Canada’s most accomplished contemporary dance artists. Claudia Moore performs two short solos and presents a new work she created for dancers Tom Brouillette and Jennifer Lynn Dick. Free with admission.
An Evening with Cathy Crowe: Homelessness in our City
January 29, 2009, 7 pm - 9 pm
The Institute for Contemporary Culture presents an evening with renowned street nurse Cathy Crowe. This program is presented in conjunction with the current exhibition, Housepaint, Phase 2: Shelter.
Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City that Might Have Been
December 4, 2008, 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
In this illustrated lecture, based on his book of the same name (Dundurn Press, November 2008), Mark Osbaldeston explores never-realized planning, transit and architectural schemes in and around Toronto.
Peggy Baker Dance Projects: The Disappearance of Right and Left
October 26, 2008, 3:15 pm
Level 1, Free with ROM admission
Presenting one of Canada's most celebrated contemporary dance artists, Peggy Baker.
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
October 4, 2008, 7 am to 7 pm
Level 1 and 3
The ROM remains open for one sleepless night of contemporary art, music and dancing.
"Every Time I See Your Picture I Cry" - Performance by Daniel Barrow
Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 4pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Sobey Art Award 2008 finalist, Daniel Barrow, presents a FREE public performance of his work, "Every Time I See Your Picture I Cry".
MANIFESTO Festival of Music and Art
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 7 pm
Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Manifesto Film Festival in collaboration with the Institute for Contemporary Culture present the Manifesto Film Festival. The 2nd Annual Manifesto Festival officially kicks things off at the ROM! Featuring a preview screening of the Manifesto documentary on Toronto hip hop, Falcão: Meninos do Tráfico by Brazillian hip hop star MV BILL, FREESTYLE: The Art Of Rhyme with a Q&A with director Kevin Fitzgerald, plus artists and djs holdin' down the corner of Bloor & Avenue.
Re-imagining the Gods Panel Discussion
September 7, 2008, 2 pm
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Free with ROM admission
Srinivas Krishna, director of When the Gods Came Down to Earth, will speak on his project, with Dr. Kajr Jain, expert on South Asian visual culture and Indian calendar art, which inspired Krishna’s work. Moderated by ROM Curator of South Asian culture, Deepali Dewan.
The Rising Tide
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Thursday, August 21, 2008, 7:30 pm
Film screening with Director Robert Adanto.
In his beautiful debut film, Adanto explores the work of some of China's most talented emerging artists and their personal responses to the country's rise as a global economic, political and cultural force. This is a unique opportunity to see this elegant and thoughtful film, introduced by the director.
Shanghai: City of the Future?
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
7:30 pm
Architecture experts share their perspectives on Shanghai's remarkable growth and futuristic new architecture. Is this the future we can expect too?
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ICC Shanghai Film Series
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
June 16 and 17, 2008
Sentinels Under the Neon Lights (1964) - Mandarin only
7:00 pm
Monday, June 16, 2008
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A Beautiful New World (1999)
9:15 pm
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Purple Butterfly (2003)
7:00 pm
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Nostalgia (2006)
9:15 pm
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Shanghai: Laboratory for China's Urban Culture
RBC Glass Room, 4th Floor
May 25, 2008, 3 pm
Up the Yangtze
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
May 15, 2008, 7 pm
The Three Gorges Dam - contested symbol of the Chinese economic miracle - provides the epic backdrop for Up the Yangtze, a dramatic feature documentary on life inside the 21st century Chinese dream. Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang crafts a moving depiction of peasant life, a powerful narrative of contemporary China, and a disquieting glimpse into a future that awaits us all.
Molly Johnson Sings
Samuel Hall 
Currelly Gallery
February 29, 2008, 7 pm
In honour of Black History Month, the ICC at the ROM is pleased to present Molly Johnson. Canada's jazz diva will perform an evening celebration concert on Friday February 29, 2008.
Mark Dion at the ROM
Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre
January 18, 2008, 7:00 pm
Canadian Art Foundation
International Lecture Series
American artist Mark Dion plays with the human impulse to classify and order phenomena in his work. Dion became well known internationally for his 1999-2000 project, Tate Thames Dig. By combing the banks of the River Thames for detritus, Dion and a team of assistants cleaned, classified and exhibited the results in a vast interactive display at Tate Britain. Mark Dion will discuss his practice over the past decade in his talk at the ROM.
Presented in collaboration with the Canadian Art Foundation International Lecture Series.
Séance
October 19, 2007, 7:00 pm
As part of the Shapeshifters, Time Travellers and Storytellers exhibit, Kent Monkman, in the guise of his infamous alter-ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, will perform Séance, a new site-specific performance specifically commissioned by imagineNATIVE and the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC). Seance is made possible through the generous support of Partners in Art.
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A Return to the Place Where God Outstretched his Hand
October 5, 2007, 7:00 pm
As part of the public preview of the exhibition Shapeshifters, Time Travellers and Storytellers Vancouver-based artist Peter Morin performs A Return to the Place Where God Outstretched His Hand. The performance references a Tahltan transformation story as told by the artist's grandmother.
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Dan Perjovschi: Late News
Until August 15, 2010
Dan Perjovschi, News (2009). Courtesy Dan Perjovschi & Lombard-Freid Projects
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