Community Builders Awards: Isabelle Michaud recognized for contributions to local arts scene

Isabelle Michaud is a visual artist and advocate for the arts who has curated and exhibited exhibitions across Ontario. 

In 2021, Isabelle became that first artist in residence at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum. During her residency, Isabelle leveraged her talent to engage members of the local francophone community to map Francophone presence and cultural erasure. 

Her wide-ranging artistic talents were highlighted through the use of mixed media, including book works, paintings, installations, videos as well as assemblages and drawings based on materials from the collections, local geography and regional Francophone history.

She works tirelessly to make the arts more accessible and introduce and nurture creativity in others. From mentoring and working with high school and university students exploring the arts, assisting organizations and individual artists with applying for grants for projects, coordinating partnerships with arts organizations across the province and organizing fundraising events that promote the arts, Isabelle has proven to be a passionate and dedicated leader in the arts sector, both locally and beyond.

She has received numerous grants for both her own projects and for community and education-based projects following her graduation from Algoma U’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program in 2018.

Isabelle’s latest project is her micro-gallery, the Galerie Sans Clous, which launched virtually in April 2022. Seven francophone, Indigenous and artists of multicultural backgrounds were exhibited, providing an important experimental space for emerging artists to display their work.

Isabelle takes a community-driven approach to building up the arts. She has a talent for addressing the complexities of the community’s history through art, supporting other artists and encouraging them to pursue their creative pursuits. 

The Arts Award goes to an individual or group that has helped make the artistic community stronger. They have championed an individual, an event, an idea, an ethic, or philosophy.

Congratulations, Isabelle!

This award is proudly sponsored by Algoma Office Equipment.

SooToday is proud to make a difference in our community by highlighting extraordinary individuals and organizations with our Community Builders Awards, a foundational piece of our SooToday Cares program.

Our mission is to create meaningful change in Sault Ste. Marie — and inspire others to do the same.