NUNAVUT
It was right back to work promoting art produced in communities for the executive director of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association after shaking hands with the prime minister in Ontario.

Rowena House, executive director of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, receives the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award from Stephen Harper on behalf of the staff and board of the association this month in Toronto. - photo courtesy of Jason Ransom/PMO

Nunavut News/North caught up with Rowena House March 25 at the airport in Rankin Inlet just as she was about to fly back to her home base of Iqaluit. The trip to Rankin, to meet with economic development officers of the Kivalliq region and discuss what their artists need, came immediately after a trip to Toronto.

The Toronto trip was special. She was there, on behalf of her staff and board, to accept an award recognizing the work NACA does for artists.

"We were recognized as a social innovator for the work we do in communities.," said House, who has been executive director at NACA for six years. "We do a lot of workshops, a lot of training. We were recognized for our work in helping artists flourish."

The Prime Minister's Volunteer Award, established by Stephen Harper in 2011, recognized four other groups from across the nation in the social innovator category - the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, La Tablee des Chefs in Quebec, Haven on the Queensway in Ontario and the Canadian Western Agribition in the Prairies.

NACA took the award for the British Columbia and the North region.

Social innovators are organizations that develop new ideas or use existing ideas in new ways to address complex social challenges and help build stronger communities, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

"I really enjoy my position," said House. "All the staff are really connected to their jobs, as well."

House and members of her staff travel to communities frequently. It's a big job, with 26 communities on the radar.

"It's very good for artists. I always feel it's important, they see we're invested and we want everyone engaged, to know who we are," she said.

During her six years, House has seen improvements for artists.

"There are more avenues to get funding to buy supplies. We try to put on as many workshops as possible."

The workshops help artists learn how to improve their artwork, price and sell their work and stay informed on arts activities and opportunities that exist in Nunavut, across Canada and throughout the rest of the world.

Most recently, the association has held workshops in Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Pangnirtung and Cambridge Bay, with more planned for Gjoa Haven and Kugaaruk.

House and her staff also plan and hold an annual arts festival, where similar workshops bring together artists from across the territory. In 2014, the 15th annual festival was held in Cambridge Bay.

"The award is a big accomplishment for the staff and board of directors," said House.

"We try our best to make a difference."

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