ALIA ALUMA
Alia Aluma is a filmmaker, visual artist, and writer, known for her ability to bring creative innovation to various projects and atypical industries. Aluma works globally, reaching Hong Kong & England's fashion industry, painting murals in Italy, developing architectural projects in Uganda, and research & training in Brazil. She currently works as a curator at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights leading a multi-millionaire dollar Black History project, and is a writer, director and producer with SRRYCinema and Aluma Studio.
Previously, Aluma was the founding Perspective Film Series Curator at Contemporary Calgary, a previous curator with QTBIPOC cultural organization Pink Flamingo, and the Creative Director of Arts & Technology at GRETA Bar. Her influence can also be found within notable artist and creative residencies in Alberta, including founding the 315 Residency with Brookfield Properties.
Her current film focuses include the Storyhive grant winning action series 'Gas Money'' (Writer & Director, 2025, Canada) and documentary project MARITA (writer & director, 2025, Uganda) in production at Aluma Studio. In 2024, her focus was on playwriting ('Roma Tempus', 2024) and film production (in prod. 'Yesterday, Last Year', releasing in 2025).
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Communications & Film Studies
University of Calgary +
Newcastle University, England
Bachelor of Arts, Art History & Commerce
University of Calgary +
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Master of World Culture & Literature (Multilingual)
University of Ottawa
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Ways we can work together
Curation & Public Programming
Film Production
Writing & Research for Film, TV, and Academia
EDIA informed curation of art, film, and performance art. Public programming of creative industry events, education programs in filmmaking and theory, unique projects focused on enriching diverse community.
Full-scale film production of short films, features, and documentaries in partnership with SRRYCINEMA.
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Pre-production to post-production: research, writing, location sourcing, team building, and budget management. As well as filming, editing, and sound.
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Specializing in telling real stories, or those inspired by our diverse human experiences. Research can be crafted for film, TV, lecture or publication.
A glimpse into the role as Film Curator at Contemporary Calgary
Educational Programming & Artist Residencies
Through fostering unique partnerships, Alia has helped to develop various Artist Residencies, including the 315 Residency with Brookfield Properties, the Ksahkomiitapiiks with Contemporary Calgary, and the Media & Journalism Literacy Program at 10 at 10. All residencies include the negotiation of space for artistic practice, mentorship, and work experience.
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Additionally, Alia has also worked with Alcove Centre for the Arts to develop programming in film education, including script-writing, story development, creative writing, and film theory.
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And I Wonder Ep. 2 - The Curators
Visuals & Graphic Design
Public Speaking
Permanent Art Curation (Muralism & Interiors)
Graphic design and visuals for print promotions, clothing, performing artist merchandise, creative entrepreneurs, and Aluma Studio programming and exhibitions.
Skilled speaker on the impact of arts & culture development on societal and city progression, film theory and history, inclusion and diversity, Black-Canadian history, Human Rights, and the relationship between art and technology.
Creative direction in physical spaces with a special focus on unconventional and radical activation and enrichment.
Data as a Human Right - Alia Aluma
TEDxYYC
Experiences
CURATOR
Canadian Museum for Human Rights | March 2024 - Current
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Supporting Black History, Disability Rights, and gallery remediation.
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Film Curation in current and future exhibitions, film production for future stories.
FOUNDER & CREATIVE
ALUMA STUDIO & AGENCY | August 2023 - Current
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Film production, writing, directing.
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Integrated Marketing for creative entrepreneurs.
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Member of SRRYNOTSRRY ART HOUSE Collective
SPECIALIST : MARKETING, ARTS & EVENTS
Brookfield Properties | November 2022 - August 2023
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Lead support in building Brookfield Arts & Culture Program composed of exhibitions, installations, partnerships, contract writing, and the 315 Residency.
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Executing existing & conceptualizing new brand identities; communications.
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Supporting the organization of private, public, educational, and corporate events.
FILM CURATOR: PERSPECTIVES
Contemporary Calgary | November 2022 - Current; Contract/Part-time
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Curation of QTBIPOC global films.
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Developing copy and sourcing licensing.
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Leadership in related programming: Another Pride Party, BUMP Cinematheque.
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Stride Gallery | July 2022 - August 2024
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Assisting with business development strategy.
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Sourcing funding and programming partners.
ASSOCIATE CURATOR: PUBLIC PROGRAMS & ENGAGEMENT
Contemporary Calgary | April 2022 - September 2022; Contract/Part-time
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Assisting Chief curator with administration and exhibition execution.
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Developing public programming and strategy: marketing, copy & grant writing.
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Curation of public and digital exhibitions, event management; record keeping.
SET DESIGNER
Not That Deep, Directed by Misha Maseka | Village Girl Productions, Calgary, 2022
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EDUCATOR | ADVISOR
ALCOVE | Calgary | Contractual, 2021, 2022, 2023
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Building curriculums, business strategy and development planning.
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Teaching acrylic and oil paint classes.
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EDUCATOR & DESIGNER
UPWEGO | Calgary | Contract, January 2021 - August 2021
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Teaching a masterclass in creative writing, composed of 10 episodes.
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Public speaking and scriptwriting.
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Rebranding and restructuring the application and ethos.
CREATIVE ARTS & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Greta Bar YYC / YEG / YVR | November 2020 - November 2022
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Art and design curation of venue, merchandise, and NFT/Digital enterprising.
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Building brand relationships and partnerships, event marketing and planning.
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Managing projects, presentations, informative design, speaking to press.
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CONTEMPORARY ART CURATOR
Pink Flamingo | Calgary | January 2020 - September 2022, Contract
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Partnership with Contemporary Calgary to curate 10 month film series.
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Copywriting, graphic design to support curation contract.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
10 at 10 Calgary | 2019 - April 2021
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Built and taught journalism curriculum (Now a university Co-Op Partner).
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Managed a Team of Journalists. Researched and wrote stories/podcast & print.
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Drafting and executing campaigns, copy, and marketing content.
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FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
NUFS | England | 2019
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Fashion photographer, editorial and runway.
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Taught photography courses.
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MURALIST
Roma Tempus | Italy | 2018 - 2019
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Responsible for arts materials collection and care.
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Painting large scale murals (20 x 20 feet) in guest rooms and public areas.
MARKETING CREATIVE, PRODUCER, GHOSTWRITER
Twelve18Media | New York & Los Angeles | 2018 - February 2021
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Source, vet, and script talent for online talk shows & podcasts.
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Ghost writing articles and for clients. Copywriting.
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Drafting and pitching campaigns.
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INTERN
Ralph Lauren | Hong Kong | 2018
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Job Shadowed Senior Director of Finance & Marketing.
RADIO DJ, VOICE ACTOR, JOURNALIST
Goldenwest Radio | Saskatchewan | 2014 - 2016
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Live programming, interviewing, and speaking. Event coverage.
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Researching, writing, and publishing articles for online and print.
ARCHIVAL AND PROGRAMMING ASSISTANT
Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery | Saskatchewan | 2010 - 2013
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Assisting curator with archiving and storage of works.
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Supporting program instructors.
Podcast Episodes
“You can do anything with what you know and if you don’t know something, you can learn it” said today’s guest, Alia Aluma. She is a brilliant multifaceted human who owns her diverse interests (from fashion, to design, to cryptocurrency, etc.) and unique story as her superpower. Alia constantly creates jobs for herself by being herself. In this conversation, Alia and Casey discuss what it means to be an asset and to add value and impact, no matter situation.
The world has a lot of neat things going on constantly, and it's easy to get lost in everything. So, we're going to keep things simple. In this first episode, we briefly talk about a couple events that led to the NFT boom, some important terms for understanding cryptoart, and how to listen to this podcast.
The first couple episodes will be a walk through of the history of cryptocurrency and cryptoart, eventually bridging us into major events, artists, and movements within art history and present.
**This podcast episode has not been updated since 2022. Information has changed since then.**
Being a twin comes with some perks - and we suspect that emotional intelligence and empathy might be some of them. In a conversation with recent graduate and former student-athlete, Freya shares her understanding of Platonic intimacy and noncommercial self-love, as well as leadership within conflict resolution.
Press & Public Speaking
ETHNIK FESTIVAL GUEST SPEAKER
Calgary Public Library | August 2023
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GUEST ON ‘AND I WONDER’ PODCAST
Hosted by Misha Maseka | March 2023
PANELIST
RBC Emerging Artists Program at Arts Commons | April 2023
QUEENDEMME CELEBRATES THE BOUNDLESS NATURE OF BLACK-FEMALE CREATIVITY IN NEW CALGARY-SHOT MUSIC VIDEO
SHIFTER MAGAZINE | September 2022
PRESENTING ‘QUEENDEMME’ – ANTHEM OF JOY AND PRIDE FROM BLACK WOMEN IN CALGARY
The Clout Magazine | August 2022
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“QUEENDEMME’, GROUND-BREAKING OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO SLATED FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 1
Hype Magazine | August 2022
TEDxYYC SPEAKER
Calgary, Alberta, Canada | June 2022
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Topic: Connectivity & Interact Access as a Human Right; Evolution of Human Rights.
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Had intensive coaching & workshopping on preparing and presenting a speech
SPOTLIGHT: QUEENDEMME
BIPAN Magazine | June 2022
LA LOBA FESTIVAL, CURATED BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EDITOR
Digital, Global | May 2022
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Opening panelist in a discussion about the evolution of art in a digital age.
INDIE WEEK & AMPED CANADA MODERATOR
Amped Canada | Digital, Canada/Toronto | May 2021, July 2022
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Moderator in discussions connecting some of Canada’s most influential creators and entrepreneurs at the intersections of technology, healthcare, science, and music.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR ITALIAN STUDIES INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC CONFERENCE SPEAKER
Digital, Global | May 2021
• Managed a research team in the topics of crime, currency, and art markets in Italy.
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Prepared in-depth presentation and written academic work.
GUEST ON “THE PURPOSE MAP’ PODCAST
Calgary, Alberta | March 2021
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Hosted by TEDx Speaker and Health Guru, Casey Berglund
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Introduced the topic “Hyperlink Self” to explain how you can utilize diverse and various skills within an industry.
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GRETA WORKS WITH LOCAL GRAFFITI ARTISTS TO CREATE A NEW SPACE FOR CUSTOMERS
Kristen Phillips, Livewire, 2021
U OF C GRAD HOSTS ART EXHIBIT CELEBRATING WOMEN OF COLOUR
Rukhsar Ali, The Gauntlet, February 2021
UR PRIDE CENTRE FOR SEXUALITY & GENDER DIVERSITY EDUCATOR
Diversity in Art Conference Speaker, November 2020
GUEST ON “IN REHEARSAL” PODCAST
Calgary, Alberta | September 2020
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Hosted by award-winning filmmaker and internal opera singer, Misha Maseka
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Spoke about how to organize and achieve your goals & the importance of technological literacy.
TICE UK CASE STUDIES: ALIA ALUMA
TICE UK, Newcastle, 2019
Publications as Author & Artist
ROMA TEMPUS
Stage Play, Canada, 2024, playwright & resident of the Chromatic Theatre Playwrights Cohort 23/24.
EP1: YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR: DONNY & MATTHEW
Rom-Com/Athology, Canada, 2024, Writer, Director, Producer.
EP2: YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR: DANNY & MIKKY
Rom-Com/Athology, Canada, 2024, Writer, Director, Producer.
EP3: YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR: ELODIE & ANDREAS
Ro-Com/Athology, Canada, 2024, Writer, Director, Producer.
EP4: YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR: OMAR & AUGUST
Rom-Com/Athology, Canada, 2024, Writer, Director, Producer.
PRISMATIC INTERSECTIONALITIES: AN ECOCRITICAL NEGOTIATION OF OPPOSITIONAL UTOPIAS
Confetti, University of Ottawa Press, 2021
CRYPTO: ART, CAPITAL, CURRENCY
Master’s Thesis, University of Ottawa Press, 2021
QUEEDEMME, CA
Photographer, Videographer, Editor & Writer | Arts Commons Premiere | Calgary, Alberta 2021
OUR HUMAN NOISE ART EXHIBITION
Photographer | Calgary, Alberta 2021
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NAFASI ART EXHIBITION
Photographer, Designer, Panelist | C-Space King Edward Premiere | Calgary, Alberta 2020
sKIN ART EXHIBITION
Photographer | Newcastle Open Studies & Femme Wave Festival | Newcastle, UK & Calgary, Alberta
A FUTURE THAT MATTERS
A Letter From the Editor | 10 at 10 Calgary, 2020
OTAHIAAKI FASHION WEEK
Journalist | That Red Tape, Calgary, Alberta, 2019
AFRICAN FASHION WEEK
Photographer | Calgary, Alberta, 2019
UNPLUGGED: NUFS FASHION SOCIETY & SHOW
Photographer & Programmer | Newcastle, England | February 2019 - September 2019