Bridging Law and Creativity in Manitoba

Law students from the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts at the Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba hit the road to Winkler, Manitoba, from 18-20 September, for the 2025 Manitoba Arts Network Showcase — and what a journey it was!

Over several days, Jessie Canard (3L), Tina Lerner (3L) and Donald Plant (2L) had the privilege of connecting with the arts community from across rural and Northern Manitoba. From powerful performances to thought-provoking panels, the Showcase was a vibrant celebration of the province’s creative spirit.

Manitoba Arts Network

Desiree Dorian [LLB/08], a Dauphin lawyer, Robson Hall alum and accomplished live music performing / recording artist, performed at the 2025 Showcase.

The Manitoba Arts Network connects, showcases, and promotes visual and performing artists with rural and Northern Manitoba communities. The Network is dedicated to connecting Manitoba’s communities to the arts, and its main purpose is to increase access to the arts. They accomplish this by supporting artists and organizations with professional development, mentorship and touring opportunities. Lastly, they organize events like the Manitoba Showcase, which centres collaboration for arts groups.

There were many highlights of the 2025 Manitoba Showcase including:

• Clinic students delivered a packed presentation on Empowering Artists: Legal Advice on Contracts, Intellectual Property, and Rights, sparking great conversations and questions.
• The Clinic also joined a dynamic Funders Forum alongside representatives from Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, The Winnipeg Foundation and Creative Manitoba.
• Law students attended sessions, met attendees, learned about their experiences, stories and gained a better understanding of the diversity that exists in the arts community. Importantly, this includes reconciliation efforts and inclusion.  

Jessie Canard (3L), Tina Lerner (3L), Donald Plant (2L)

Law Student Reflections

For Jessie Canard (3L), who is both a practicing Anishinaabe visual artist from the Sagkeeng First Nation and also a law student, the event was a special opportunity to bring both her interests in art and law together. Canard says, “The Manitoba  Arts Network Showcase event was important and also so much fun. Not only were the workshops engaging (I was able to make birch bark and fish scale earrings), and the performances were mind-blowing, but we were able to support these caring individuals by sharing legal information that can support their careers. We presented to emerging artists to share information on how their legal rights work in terms of contracts and intellectual property. We also met with individuals one-on-one to hear their legal questions and inform them how the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts can support them.”

Jessie Canard (3L), Claire Marchand (Canada Council for the Arts)

Reflecting on her experience, Tina Lerner (3L) said “I was excited to learn and understand the creative sector better directly from artists and arts groups. Further, the opportunity to be involved in the work of the Clinic was particularly meaningful.  I thrive in practical learning experiences, and the Manitoba Law Clinic for the Arts provides rich learning opportunities.. I am grateful for the Clinic for providing practical learning and offering services to the creative sector, which is vitally important. This is very meaningful to me.”

Cassidy Mann (Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Manitoba Music), and Donald Plant (2L)

Donald Plant (3L), who is also a musician as well as a law student, commented, “Attending the Manitoba Arts Network’s Showcase 2025 was a fantastic experience, allowing us as students to connect with artists from across Manitoba. During our presentation and throughout the weekend, attendees had many questions regarding their needs for legal information about contracts and their intellectual property rights. It was rewarding to discuss with artists some of the projects they are working on and how the Clinic may be able to support and provide assistance.”

Future Collaborations

The Clinic has already been invited back by the Manitoba Arts Network and is looking forward to the 2026 Manitoba Arts Showcase in Brandon next September.

Until then, law students and the Clinic will continue learning by doing, connecting with artists, creatives and organizations that support the creative economy, as well as collaborating and championing the legal needs of artists and creatives across the province.

Story submitted by Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts