About Prismatic

Prismatic is Art for Everyone!

A Tribe called Red Prismatic Arts Festival 2014

The Prismatic Arts Festival is an annual, multidisciplinary arts festival that showcases and celebrates innovative work by Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada. Based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia), Prismatic has been bringing audiences vibrant, boundary-pushing new works in theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts, media arts, and spoken word since 2008.

Through engaging performances, the TALK conference, workshops, and Masterclasses, Prismatic’s annual festival brings artists and audiences together for an open dialogue. People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to experience Prismatic performances, engage with artists, and learn about new art forms and traditional cultural practices. Within the broad community of Indigenous artists and artists of colour in Canada, Prismatic is committed to prioritizing the work of artists who identify as part of communities that are underrepresented in Canadian professional arts, including women, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and artists who are D/deaf and/or disability identified.

Since 2008, Prismatic has showcased over 545 performances by 1250 artists and arts professionals, and has engaged 80,600 audience members.

Our Mission

The Prismatic Mission is to be a leading Canadian arts festival that engages diverse stakeholders through performance, networking, and collaborative learning.

Our Mandate

To bring new works of leading Indigenous artists and artists of colour from across Canada to a wide audience;

To create opportunities for the public to engage with and learn about art forms and artistic traditions;

To facilitate the professional and artistic development of emerging and professional artists;

To partner with a variety of stakeholders to bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and vision to Prismatic’s artistic pursuits and professional development activities.

Jah'mila at the Carleton
Accessibility & Inclusion

Art for Everyone!

Prismatic is committed to making its events and performances accessible to all members of the community.

This means that we:

  • We strive to prioritize venues that have accessible entrances and washrooms.
  • Service animals and personal support workers are welcome at performances and events.
  • We are committed to working intentionally with artists and communities to provide ASL interpretation, captioning, written and audio descriptions of performances, when possible.
  • Provide items and options at the Front of House that support positive sensory experiences including balloons, ear plugs, sunglasses, and quiet spaces.
  • All events at Prismatic are photographed. If you do not want to be photographed, please let a staff member know when you arrive.

Prismatic believes that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with artists and their work.

Please reach out to us to let us know if there is any way that we can support your festival experience at 902-425-6812 or info@prismaticfestival.com.

Sustainability

Knowing the responsibility we have as a leader in the arts, Prismatic is incorporating more sustainability practices into the organization. Some things we are doing include:

  • Using QR codes, newsletters, and social media to circulate a digital program and printing fewer physical programs.
  • Reducing print in all forms and conducting paperwork digitally.
  • Prioritizing staff and volunteer time to carefully cleaning up a venue (especially outdoors), in order to ensure that no litter is left behind.
  • Supporting local businesses and buying locally as much as possible.
  • Having our festival and office located in Downtown Halifax to minimize commuting for staff, volunteers, and audiences.

Our Staff 



Artistic Director

Raeesa Lalani

Board of Directors

Jacqueline Warwick | Chair
Miya Turnbull  | Vice Chair
Kate Hamilton | Secretary/Treasurer

Jeff Ward
Laurie Gillis

Neal Morgan
Kaif Lalani

Get in Touch

General Inquiries:
info@prismaticfestival.com
902-425-6812

Mailing Address:
Prismatic Arts Society
PO Box 1603, Hfx CRO
Halifax NS, B3J 2Y3

Office Address:
1580 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 1Z6