Leveraging Performance Art to Engage with and Uplift Our Communities

Performance art—encompassing drag, dance, and music—has deep roots in queer culture and remains a potent way to engage queer individuals across all ages and backgrounds. HIM recognizes that performers are not just entertainers and storytellers but also vital cultural leaders and community mobilizers. With this in mind, HIM has a longstanding tradition of collaborating with performance artists to enhance our work and health promotion efforts.

Drag Artists Supporting Their Community’s Health

Drag artists have profoundly influenced queer culture, serving as entertainers, social provocateurs, and political activists for queer liberation. As drag continues to gain mainstream prominence, it plays a significant role in shaping societal norms and promoting diversity and inclusivity. HIM embraces the transformative power of drag royalty—Kings, Queens, and performers of all genders—and eagerly collaborates with them to raise awareness about crucial health initiatives. Whether at community events, volunteer appreciation parties, or as key elements in our health promotion campaigns, drag artists are central to our strategy for effectively reaching and engaging our communities.

Below are a few examples of recent collaborations HIM has had with drag artists in Vancouver:

Batty Banks – “It Takes Two” Mpox Campaign

Gia Metric – Raising Awarenesss About Mpox

Xana – “It Takes Two” Mpox Campaign

Batty Banks – Black History Month Series

Collaborating with HIM as a Performance Artist

HIM is always on the lookout for performers who are looking to collaborate in support of our communities’ health and wellbeing! As an artist collaborating with HIM, you can expect the following:

  • Community First: All of our collaborations aim to uphold this principle. When you collaborate with HIM, you are assured that your artistic expression and talent is going toward the benefit of our communities’ health and wellbeing first and foremost.
  • Representation and Inclusivity: HIM prioritizes the representation and inclusion of groups that have historically been underrepresented within community organizing and service provision, ensuring that their voices are central to decision-making processes and programmatic efforts.
  • Compensation: While HIM’s work is powered through the contributions and dedication of our volunteers, we do not expect anyone to provide free labour. HIM is happy to hire performers according to their chosen rates, or provide honoraria as a show of appreciation when performers choose to volunteer their time.
  • Recognition: HIM is always committed to ensure that the work that performers do to support our work is adequately recognized and credited wherever and whenever we can.

If you would like to collaborate with HIM as a performance artist/entertainer, please see these guidelines and provide us with your information through this form, and we will reach out to you as soon as we can.