Remai Modern is an art museum and so much more; it is also a gathering place where communities connect with culture and one another.
Through our Community Investment program, we put that spirit into practice by offering gifts in kind and access to our event spaces at free or reduced rates to charities, non-profits, and like-minded partners.
The aim is simple: remove barriers so community-led events can thrive inside a cultural space designed to bring people together.
Over the past year, we’ve opened our doors to events that sparked joy, visibility, and dialogue—Queer dance nights that feel like home, a fashion show that honoured Black creators, and a free screening that bridged Saskatchewan and South Asia—to name a few. Here’s how those nights came to life.
Gal Pals: joy as community care
Gal Pals is a grassroots organization creating safe, inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to gather, celebrate identity, and build community. We’ve partnered with them on multiple events that blend music, performance, and dancing—nights designed for joy and self-expression.
Hosting these sorts of events in an art museum adds a unique dimension: galleries are built for creativity and collective experience, mirroring Gal Pals’ goals of visibility and empowerment. The partnership has also extended impact outward—when possible, Gal Pals has directed funds to local groups such as SCAT Street Cat Rescue, Saskatoon Sexual Health, Saskatoon Pride, and to individuals seeking gender-affirming care.
“The Remai Modern has consistently championed creating spaces for community events, art, and celebration… Collaborating with the Remai Modern showcases the gallery’s commitment to diversity and inclusion while highlighting Gal Pals’ dedication to safe, fulfilling spaces for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.” – Natalya Mason and Amanda Guthrie, Gal Pals
BPES: Black History Month on the runway
In February 2025, the Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (BPES) transformed Remai Modern into a runway and marketplace celebrating Black excellence. The evening featured designers, models, and Black-owned businesses, and included time to connect with one another and build networks.
“Hosting the Black History Month Fashion Show at Remai Modern was more than an event. It was a declaration of presence, pride, and power and a celebration of Black excellence—individually as leaders and for BPES as a community pillar. It meant visibility, validation, and victory for the Black community in a space that recognized its worth,” said the BPES Event Committee.
Using the museum as a venue affirmed the event’s ambition and amplified its message—Black history, fashion, and voices belong in every space, including the most revered ones.
“Access to the Remai Modern space transformed the event from a community fashion show into a landmark cultural moment… It wasn’t just a fashion show—it was a catalyst for education, connection, and cultural change.”
30 Birds Foundation x Sound of Afghanistan: film, music, and dialogue
Community partnerships also open doors to global stories with local resonance. In collaboration with 30 Birds Foundation and Sound of Afghanistan, Remai Modern hosted a free sneak-peek screening of Yasmeen’s Element, a film by Pakistani-American director Amman Abbasi.
Shot in the Hunza region, the film follows a schoolgirl on a day-long quest that becomes a parable about girls’ education amid instability. A post-screening panel and performance by Sound of Afghanistan deepened the experience—sharing music, memory, and perspectives from Afghan youth who now call Saskatchewan home.
This screening was just one of dozens of community screenings that take place in Remai Modern’s SaskTel Theatre every year.
How we support
Each year, the Community Investment committee reviews requests and provides two types of support: gifts in kind—such as admission tickets and memberships—and access to event spaces at no cost or at a reduced rate. We prioritize organizations whose goals align with our mission and values, and we commit to a limited number of projects annually. This approach lets us be thoughtful stewards while creating room for meaningful, public-facing programming.
Our commitment and how to apply
Remai Modern is proud to support organizations each year through gifts in kind and free or reduced-rate spaces. We focus our support where it can have clear community benefit and alignment with our mission. If your organization is planning a public-facing event, cultural program, or community fundraiser and needs a venue or in-kind access, we invite you to [apply here].
Questions? Reach out to our team! We’d be happy to discuss.
Help us grow our community support – Donate to Remai Modern