Winnipeggers are invited to get outside and celebrate contemporary art this weekend as Nuit Blanche takes over the city. The free event is coming up on Saturday, with art installations spread out across downtown Winnipeg, The Forks, St. Boniface and the Exchange District. The one-night festivity offers Winnipeggers a chance to explore unique exhibitions at art institutions, local businesses and outdoor spaces. “We really like to program art in unexpected places and we love to see downtown filled with cultural enthusiasts,” said Kurt Tittlemier, Nuit Blanche Winnipeg general manager, in an interview with Your Morning Winnipeg on Wednesday. Tittlemier explained a committee comprised of artistic professionals decides which artists and art pieces will take part in the event. He added the committee undergoes a months-long process that involves applications and requests for proposals to curate Nuit Blanche. Some of this year’s major installations include 15-foot-tall inflatables at Old Market Square and a large-scale projection on the façade of the St. Boniface Cathedral. “All of our exhibits are free. They’re all multi-generational,” Tittlemier said. “We love the fact that people can go with their kids, maybe earlier on the evening, and then we have, of course, younger people that really embrace the arts and that’s really important to us as well.” This year’s Nuit Blanche, which is part of Culture Days Manitoba, will include free water buses, shuttles, and bike valet. More information is available online. - With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé
