I am inspired by the stories of those around me.
The art world has a deficiency in diversity. It is deficient in diversity of race, identity, ability, and gender.
We need to see more of ourselves within the art lauded in galleries, institutions, magazines, and on social platforms.
We need to see “brothers on the wall” when we walk into galleries and public spaces, outside of black history month.
We need to see more stories accepted by the art world that come from a variety of individuals as opposed to accepting the selected narrative per culture.
My art aims to tell these stories.
I paint the stories of my friends so they can see themselves in art.
I paint the stories of my family so others can see their own lives reflected back at them.
I paint the stories of communities and identities that have been marginalized by art institutions so they can know they are valid.
What inspires my work?
Your story
Imani Dominique Busby is an entrepreneurial and ambitious undergraduate student studying Creative Industries at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Imani aspires to become an art lawyer and gallerist with the goal of supporting marginalized artists as they navigate the art industry. She is an independent curator and visual artist based in Toronto. Imani is presently the Editor in Chief of StyleCircle - a student-led critical fashion publication at TMU. She is also the Communications Coordinator for Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism. Additionally, she was a marketing and art direction intern with MASSIVart, a gallery assistant/ temporary manager at Liss Gallery for two years, and interned with CARFAC Ontario and ALAS (Artists' Legal Advice Services).
Imani aims to use her curatorial and entrepreneurial skills to create engaging, interactive, and community-filled spaces that amplify emerging and mid-career artists. Through the creation of public art, exhibition pop-ups, and print publications, Imani aims to increase access to the arts for all communities. Additionally, through workshops and accessible resources, she aims to provide artists with business, legal, and professional development opportunities.
Imani aims to use her curatorial and entrepreneurial skills to create engaging, interactive, and community-filled spaces that amplify emerging and mid-career artists. Through the creation of public art, exhibition pop-ups, and print publications, Imani aims to increase access to the arts for all communities. Additionally, through workshops and accessible resources, she aims to provide artists with business, legal, and professional development opportunities.
With roots in creativity and entrepreneurship, Imani is passionate about the art industry, representation, and community building.
CV Available on Request
imani@imanidominique.com
EDUCATION
2023
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | School of Creative Industries, Specializing in Curatorial Practices and Fashion Business Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson) University, Toronto Canada
EXHIBITION CURATION
2023
"The Gift Shop", Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga ON, Group Exhibition and Business Development Program: Laneigh Ramirez, Ella's Precision, Percy Eriamator, Shaza Tariq Elnour
"It Will All Make Sense Soon", Sponsored by the Rec Room, Toronto ON, Solo Exhibition: Of The Saint.
2022
"Media Pass", Sponsored by Manifesto and Posterjack, Toronto, ON, Group Exhibition: Alicia Reid, Anushay Sheikh, Connor Tadao (Flee Normality), Evie Maynes, Jet Bailey, Taija Grey (Jesusssister), Jershotyou, Kianna Sumitani, and woes.jpg .
2021
"Brothers On The Wall", Liss Gallery, Yorkville, ON Group Exhibition: Alicia Reid, Billy Dee Williams, Gerda Boateng, Hammed Abimbola Babatunde, Tyler Rushnell, Johnathan Ball, and Malik
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
2022
6 Murals - 3 Classrooms, Mississauga Arts Council x Peel CAS, Mississauga, ON
Curated by Jacqueline Mac
2021
Black History Artist Collaboration, WUXLY Movement, Toronto, ON
Black History Is Canadian History Series, Toronto’s Manifesto, Toronto, ON
Monuments: Hossein Maher Press Release Sahar K. Boluki Gallery, Toronto, ON
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2022
Toronto Metropolitan University Student Initiatives Fund and Black Initatives Fund
2021
Ryerson University Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO) Grant
G. Raymond Chang - Sheldon Levy Partnership Award for Zone Learning
2019
Buchanan Scholarship
Grassby Award for Cultural Impact
2019-2022 FCAD/ CS Dean’s List
INTERNSHIPS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
2022
Gallery Assistant and Temporary Manager, Liss Gallery, Toronto, ON
Editor In Chief, StyleCircle, Toronto, ON
Content Coordinator Internship, CARFAC Ontario and Artists’ Legal Advice Services, Toronto ON
Communications Coordinator, Wildseed Centre for Art and Activism, Toronto, ON
2021
Undergraduate Research Assistant, The Studio For Media Activism and Critical Thought at X (Ryerson) University, Toronto, ON
2020
Curatorial and Marketing Internship, MASSIVart, Montreal, QC
Social Media Coordinator, Akeelah’s Room, Toronto,
ON
ARTIST TALKS AND PANELS
2022
Creating an Accessible and Intergenerational Social Media Presence, CALM Conference, Calgary, AB
2021
Of Africa Focus Group, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON
Intergenerational Allyship and Collaboration, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Renaissance and the Black Employees Network, Ottawa, ON
Fashion Zone 8, Ryerson Fashion Zone, Toronto, ON
2020
Anti-Racism Conversation, Experiences Canada, Ottawa, ON
PRINT AND PUBLISHING
2022
The Book 07, StyleCircle
2021
The Little Book Of Black Joy, Imani Dominique, Mir Asoh, Adele Lukusa
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2022
Black HXOUSE
2021
Launching An Independent Art Space, NODE Centre for Curatorial Studies, Wrangelstr, Berlin.
2020
Member, Ryerson Fashion Zone
Ryerson Innovation Student Experience, Ryerson University Fashion Zone, Toronto ON
PRESS
