ROA.

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The Arty Crowd funding sources require inclusion of members who identify as belonging to priority groups encompassing: Indigenous, ethnocultural communities, rural or remote residents, youth, and Francophones (english and french). Hamilton Arts Council further wants to measure its success in attracting members from all the diverse groups we serve in the Greater Hamilton Area arts community, including those who are LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities. We will use the aggregates of the information collected here to measure our success in making The Arty Crowd an accessible and safe space for all who join. We thank the members of the committee from the Safer Spaces Project who advised us in creating an inclusive self-identification process.

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All profile holders must live or work in Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Flambourough, Glanbrook, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Six Nations of the Grand River.

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Biography / Artistic Statement / Creative Vision

My name is Rahand Ismaeel, also known as ROA. I'm a Kurdish-Canadian Rapper, Visual Artist and Event Organizer living in Hamilton, Ontario.

For my whole life I've used art to understand and interpret the world around me. Retrospectively to reflect on what's come before, and prospectively to set goals and allign myself to where I want to be.

Sonically I am inspired by the work of The Soulquarians, especially Yasiin Bey and his work solo or otherwise with Black Star. Not only have I been inspired by his music, but his approach to the industry and his work on cultivating his local music scene, and developing it by the people for the people.

As the founder of Cardinal Blue Ink, a Hamilton Based arts collective, I've been running a monthly Hip-Hop-Inspired Community Arts Show, on the 2nd Sunday of every month called "The B_rd Cage" showcasing local art vendors and musicians.

My long-term goal is to nurture the Hamilton music and arts scene and bring it back to the creatives that push it forward, and allocate resources back into the pockets of those creatives. Artist First, Artist Forward is our motto. I hope to see you along the way, if not it was a pleasure meeting you again.

All love always,

The Redhand of Cardinal Blue,
ROA.

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