Drag Academy Artist Collective
The Mission
Drag Academy Artist Collective is a Canadian non-profit that advances public appreciation of LGBTQ2S+ arts by producing vibrant exhibitions, presentations, and performance events that celebrate and elevate LGBTQ2S+ artists. We provide an inclusive forum for qualified artists to exhibit, present, and perform their work, enriching Canada’s cultural landscape while fostering understanding, visibility, and belonging through the power of the arts.
The Vision
Grow your skills with internationally recognized drag artists, collaborate on original works, and showcase your artistry on stage and in productions. Receive mentorship, platforms, and grants, and as an added bonus, get booked for Drag Academy events and gigs nationally and internationally, all while being part of a creative community that celebrates and supports LGBTQ2S+ art.
Our Pillars
Creation
Support 2SLGBTQ+ artists with grants, mentorship, and residencies.
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Connection
Build platforms that bring artists and communities together through performance, exhibitions, and public art.
Celebration
Showcase queer artistry in all its forms, amplifying voices and stories that transform culture.
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Continuity
Invest in sustainability, capacity building, and leadership to ensure long-term impact.
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Our Programming
Continuity
Iconica Drag Classes
Live shows spotlighting drag, storytelling, music, or multidisciplinary performances.
Creation
Pride in Mississauga
Partnering with the City of Mississauga, Drag Race Mexico and Canada Drag Race to create a new drag show.
Creation
Collaborative Creation
Bringing together artists from different disciplines to co-create a new drag work.
Connection
Pride in Equity Gala
Providing a platform for LGBTQ2S+ artists to showcase their artistic work.
Celebration
Queen of Canada
Working with Kenadie St. James to produce the Queen of Canada national pageant for September 19, 2026 in Toronto.
Creation
Artist In Residence
Provide mentorship, platforms, and small grants to emerging LGBTQ2S+ artists.
Join the Collective
Joining the Drag Academy Artist Collective means stepping into a vibrant community where your creativity can thrive. Members gain free skills development from internationally recognized drag artists and the chance to collaborate on original drag works. You’ll have opportunities to showcase your artistry at events, participate in dynamic productions, and receive mentorship, platforms, and grants to support your creative journey. Whether you’re performing, designing, or producing, being part of the Collective gives you the resources, exposure, and community to grow as an artist and make your mark on the LGBTQ2S+ arts scene.
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Being part of the Drag Academy Artist Collective opens doors to exciting performance opportunities at events and gigs across Canada and around the world. Members are regularly invited to participate in productions, showcases, and special events, thereby expanding their artistry's audience and gaining valuable professional experience. Through these opportunities, artists can connect with diverse communities, share their creative vision, and expand their presence in the LGBTQ2S+ arts scene, all while being supported by a network that celebrates and amplifies their work.
Land Acknowledgement
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Drag Academy Artist Collective acknowledges that our work in Mississauga takes place on the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, part of the larger Anishinaabe peoples, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. These lands are also home to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat Nation, and are covered by Treaty 14, as well as being the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral) people.
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We honour the enduring presence, knowledge, and stewardship of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial. As an organization advancing public appreciation of LGBTQ2S+ arts, we recognize that our creative work unfolds within ongoing histories of colonization that continue to impact Indigenous communities — including Two-Spirit peoples whose identities, artistry, and leadership have long shaped this land.
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Through vibrant exhibitions, presentations, and performance events, Drag Academy Artist Collective is committed to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous artists and communities, amplifying Indigenous and Two-Spirit voices, and ensuring our spaces reflect respect, reciprocity, and inclusion.
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As we operate in Mississauga and collaborate with local collectives throughout Canada, we do so with gratitude and a shared responsibility to contribute to a more just, visible, and vibrant cultural landscape for all.