The theme of the conference, Alliances is directed toward an exploration of the term “alliances” and its implied ideology, along with how our current understanding of the concept affects art, culture, and community. This conference features academics, artists, graduate and undergraduate students speaking to issues of cultural diversity in the visual arts in Canada. Three panel discussion and two performances address issues including representation, cross-cultural exchange and collaboration that are critical to deeper understandings of the notion of alliance today.