About this Event
Crit Club
Critique as Gift Crit Club is returning in the Fall of 2026. The program is in person and is open to the arts community in Halifax and beyond.
Join us in person for Crit Club – meet other creatives in and around Halifax, experience or share new artwork, and learn how to present work and generate feedback that's actually useful. Whether you've got a work-in-progress that you're stuck on or just love talking about art and artistic practice, this is your chance to connect with others face-to-face. Don't miss out on some great conversations and inspiration!
is an ongoing research project exploring new ways of practicing critique by collaborators Laura Bucci and Katherine Diemert.
This event is for you, if you…
- are an artist or creative!
- want to share your work and ideas with a group of thoughtful fellow creatives.
- would like to listen to other local artists discuss their work and process, and participate in dialogue and ask questions.
- want to receive feedback on your work and grow your ideas
- would like practise talking about your own and others’ artwork.
- are stuck and need to feel motivated to get back to work.
What is Critique as Gift?
- Jewels of wisdom
- Thoughts to think with
- Avenues to follow
- Aha! moments
- Curiosity and reciprocity
How it works
You can present work or participate solely as a responder. A minimum of 8 participants are needed to run a session and a maximum of 16 participants can be in attendance, this includes the 3 presenting artists. Laura and Katherine will both be present as facilitators and will start by introducing the crit framework with a demonstration. Each presenting artist will receive 30 minutes of feedback (artists arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the start of the advertised time to set up work). We take 5-minute breaks between each crit.
Our intention is to create an environment that supports the artist in doing their best work. We do this by guiding attendees (presenters and responders) in using a modified critique framework based on Critical Response Process (CRP) founded by Liz Lerman. We also help the presenting artists prepare for the crit with a ‘Prep’ email that invites reflection on their needs. We highly recommend that you review the CRP website before you attend your first session with us.
Want to receive feedback on your creative work?
You can present work in progress or a finished single artwork, or a small series, 2D, 3D, performance, or other media pending space and equipment needs (no PowerPoints or slideshows unless that is the medium of the work). After you purchase a ticket, we will get in touch to ask you about the work you are planning to show to ensure the space can accommodate your work/medium.
Want to attend as a responder?
Purchase a ticket! You can attend one or all events. Please review “This event is for you, if…” above. Attending as a responder is a great way of exploring our events before attending as a presenting artist.
Critique Steps
0. Experiencing the artwork
Info: Responders witness or experience the artwork by the presenting artist, whether that's a painting, sculpture, installation, performance, zine, video work– whatever they have brought to share with us!
1. Verifiable Observations and Statements of Meaning
Info: The responders offer observations based on the artwork, holding back discomforts and negative opinions. They share associations and feelings inspired by the work, and what in the work they find engaging, interesting, striking, or note-worthy.
2. Artist asks Questions
Info: The Artist asks questions about the work, prepared ahead of time, and the Responders answer.
3. Neutral Questions
Info: Responders ask neutral questions about the work, and the Artist answers. Questions are neutral when there is no opnion (positive or negative) within them.
4. Opinion Time
Info: Responders share opinions, subject to permission from the Artist. They do this by first asking, "I have an opinion about _____, would you like to hear it?". The Artist then has a chance to respond, with "Yes," "No," or "Tell me more…"
Critique Session Agenda
Welcome!
Info: Introducing everyone to the space, eachother, the facilitators, and the purpose of the critique.
Demonstration
Info: Katherine and Laura will guide everyone through a practise round of the Critical Response Process, using food (which we will eat!) as the subject of our critique. A great way of getting familiar with the steps, and each other!
Critique 1
Info: 30 minute critique on artwork presented by one of the artists, followed by a break.
Critique 2
Info: 30 minute critique on artwork presented by one of the artists, followed by a break.
Critique 3
Info: 30 minute critique on artwork presented by one of the artists, followed by a break.
Wrap Up
Info: A debrief about how the experience was for everyone, feedback on the process, and a call for any local creative news from everyone. Then it's tidy up and goodbye!
Event venue & nearby stays
Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.