About

Big Pond Small Fish Laboratory is a small not-for-profit arts organization. Our mandate is twofold. Firstly, we aim to produce conceptually rigorous works as collaborations between artists and people who traditionally encounter barriers to art-making. Secondly we investigate the discontents of advanced industrialism through deep listening and reflection. We believe that access to and an understanding of arts and culture is essential to civil life. We aim to bring art to many different audiences in hopes that art will continue to be understood, practiced and loved. Our board and our artistic team have many years of experience in public libraries, film and audio works, art, education, performance, mental health advocacy and book publishing.

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A Brief History

We have produced collaborative projects with children, youth, and seniors at public schools, a museum and a library in Toronto; an intercultural senior centre, four schools and public institutions in Launceston, Australia. We are currently developing a radio project with three urban farms and two art centres in Toronto’s Jane-Finch, Scarborough and the Toronto Islands (2020). We began as a collective in 2007 and received our not for profit letters patent in May 2012.

Our community collaborations have been featured in co-productions, exhibitions and festivals at the Downsview Public Library (2018) and The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto (2016); Biennial of the Moving Image, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2014); Tasmania Arts Festival Launceston, Australia (2013); Festival International de Films sur l’Art, Montreal (2013); Dogs and Boats and Airplanes Choir Vinyl LP - The Toronto Concert (2012); Quebec City Biennial (2010); Nuit Blanche Toronto (2011); Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) London UK (2008).

Story of the Fish

Artist and designer Jon Inaki Etxeberria Vanneste writes “I’m very proud of the “Shiner” logo, and how it embodies the spirit of our organization, with a sense of wonder and play.” See more about Jon’s ideas for Big Pond Small Fish’s new logo in the Story of the Fish.