Keith Cole
Keith Cole was the FCS and FA Artist in Residence at Ryerson University (now TMU) in the summer of 2019. He holds a BFA from York University and a MFA from OCAD University. His last art project entitled “Loose Pages” was a conclusion to his Artist in Residence at Ryerson University (now TMU).
His artistic practice collides with the interdisciplinary art forms of theatre, dance, film and performance and the intersections that they can create. He has appeared in films, television and performance events worldwide and is a recipient of a Harold Award (1999) a National Tap Dance Award (2004), the Roberto Ariganello Award (2007) a Dora Award Nomination for Outstanding Male Performance in a Musical (2008) and another Dora Award nomination (2020) for his ensemble acting work in “Box 4901.”
He received a Pink Triangle Award in 2000 and the XTRA! Magazine Mouthiest Queer Activist Award (2010). In 2010 Keith Cole was a leading contender in Toronto's Mayoral Election. He placed 8th in the overall election putting him in the top 10 of well over 80 candidates. He has written for FUSE Magazine, KAPSULA Magazine, The Dance Current, XTRA! dailyxtra.com, Fab Magazine, The BUZZ and has contributed writing to four academic anthologies. In 2014 and 2015 NOW Magazine readers voted him Toronto’s Best Performance Artist. In 2016 The Art Gallery of Ontario presented his “#HashtagGallerySlut” for 5 performances and the work appeared in The AGO’s catalogue entitled “Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971-1989.” He lives in Toronto and is a Professor of Visual Culture at Seneca College.
Education
2012: Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
1989: York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Selected Exhibitions
2023
A Score of Scores, created with David Roche. FADO Performance Art Centre. Curator Shannon Cochrane
Titles 8, Libreria Atico, Mexico City. Curators Rita Kamacho and Yam K. Lau
2022
26th Annual Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art
Loose Pages, In fulfillment of 2019 Summer Artist In Residence – Ryerson University – now TMU
Indexing Resistance, Group Exhibition, the plumb Gallery. Curator Schem Bader Rogerson
COLLAGE 2022, John B. Aird Gallery. Curator Ken Moffatt
2021
Jeanne Randolph High Tea, Windsor Arms Hotel, Toronto. Organizer and Host – Keith Cole
Dirty Minimalism, Church Street July 2021 Window Project. Solo exhibition
25th Annual Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art
2020
Cut Paste Resist, Group Exhibition, University of New Brunswick. Curators RM Vaughan and Ken Moffatt
CUT FOLD INCISION, Solo lecture / performance / installation. Artist In Residence Ryerson University
Gay Gardens, Group Exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto.
24th Annual Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art.
2019
The Cat Show, Group Exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto. Curators RM Vaughan and Carla Garnett
23rd Annual Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art.
2018
Security Detail, Keith Cole Swanson Security, 21st Annual Christmas Spice at Paul Petro Contemporary Art
the8FEST (The Boys Next Door) film screening. Curated by Milada Kovacova. Toronto
Performance Club 2, FADO Performance Art Centre. Valley of the Dolls. Curated by Shannon Cochrane. Toronto
22nd Annual Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art.
2017
Out of Site, Nuit Blanche, Solo Performance. Curated by Earl Miller. Toronto
Security Detail, Keith Cole Swanson Security, 21st Annual Christmas Spice at Paul Petro Contemporary Art
2016
Christmas Spice 20th Anniversary, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition – Toronto
#HashTagGallerySlut, The Art Gallery of Ontario – The AGO, Solo Performance – Toronto
Dreamlands, Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art – group exhibition – New York, New York
WordPlay, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition – Toronto
Daddy 2016, Patrick de Coste / The DADDY Collective – group exhibition – Toronto
2015
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition – Toronto
The Snake Pit, Michael Alstad / Nuit Blanche – solo performance – Toronto
Sock Wrestling Performance 101, Videofag – Curator / Performer - Toronto
Artists Newsstand, Jess Dobkin – solo performance – Toronto
The Art Gallery Of Ontario, 1st Thursday’s September 2015 – solo performance - Toronto
2014
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition - Toronto
House Dress, choreographer / performer, curated by RM Vaughan - Toronto
Ways Of Something, online performer, curated by Lorna Mills
Keith Cole’s Yacht Rawk Flash Mob, Creator – Performer, Canadian Opera Company - Toronto
A Spectacle and Nothing Strange, Wil Aballe Art Projects – group exhibition July-August 2014, Vancouver
Soft Spin, created by Heather Nicol – group performer, Toronto
The Art Gallery of Ontario, 1st Thursday’s July 3rd, 2014 - Curator / Performer, Toronto
Hit Parade, The Transmission Commission Collective – group exhibition, Toronto
Work It, Annual Juried SAVAC Exhibition – group exhibition. Curator: Basil ALzeri. Toronto
Rhubarb, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – performance, Toronto
Hackerlove, The Cabaret Company – choreography, Toronto
Wilde in Allan Gardens, Year Zero One – solo performance, Toronto
What You See Is What You Get, Capital One Financial – group exhibition, Toronto
2013
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition, Toronto
Hysteria Co-ordinating, Sherri Hay / Nuit Blanche – Solo – Performer, Toronto
“Slag”, Attesting Resistance – curator Logan MacDonald, online www.aboriginalcuratorialcollective.org
HIJACKED, Al Borde, Venezuela - curator Julian Higuerey Núñez – group exhibition, Venezuela
Daddy’s Mad, Videofag – solo exhibition, Toronto
Troubling Masculinities, Videofag – curator Ken Moffatt - group show / performance, Toronto
The Box Summer Salon, The Rivoli – curator Louise Bak - group show / performance, Toronto
Truth/Dare, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – performer, Toronto
2012
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition, Toronto
Truth/Dare, Videofag Gallery – performer, Toronto
Gift Shop / Gift Shop, Art Gallery of Ontario – group exhibition, Toronto
The Coliseum of the Homosexual, MOCCA - MFA Graduate Exhibition – solo exhibition, Toronto
Dancing Queen, The Cabaret Company – choreographer, Toronto
2011
K-Town, Luke Painter and Meera Singh co-curators – group exhibition (Touring exhibition)
Three Bad Words, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – solo exhibition, Toronto
Like There Is No Tomorrow, Xpace Gallery – group exhibition, Toronto
Left, Pleasure Dome – World Premiere screening, Toronto
2010
{dis}placement, OCAD U Graduate Gallery – group exhibition, Toronto
Shhhhhhhh! The Bathhouse Project, St. Marc’s Spa – group exhibition, Toronto
Dodged Bullets / Missed Opportunities, Winchester Street Theatre – choreographer, Toronto
Performing Publics, PSi 16 Conference – solo performance York University Fine Arts, Toronto
2009
The Keith Cole Experience, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – curator and performer, Toronto
The Needle Exchange, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – curator and performer, Toronto
Steven and Chris Design Your Mind, Hammer Theatre – performer, Hamilton / Toronto
You Don’t Love Me Yet, Mercer Union – performer, Toronto
2008
The Circumcised Circus, The Power Plant – Creator / Curator / Performer group exhibition, Toronto
Alma, FADO Performance / Xpace Gallery – co-creator and performer, Toronto
Arthouse Cabaret, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – co-creator and performer, Toronto
Explicit Fantastic: Sex(y), Keep Six Contemporary Gallery – group exhibition, Toronto
2007
Keith Cole: The Official Margin, Cinematheque Ontario, Art Gallery of Ontario - solo screening, Toronto
A Dance For Those Of Us Whose Hearts Have Turned To Ice, documenta 12 – performer, Kassel, Germany
The Rat King, New York City Fringe Festival – performer, New York City
MINE, The Power Plant – creator and performer, Toronto
2006
The Rat King, Harbourfront Centre – performer, Toronto
MINE, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – creator and performer, Toronto
Canada’s Worst Handyman, Discovery Channel – contestant, International broadcast
Jingle, Zsa Zsa Gallery – group exhibition. Curated by Andrew Harwood, Toronto
2005
Une Petite Morte, Toronto International Film Festival Official Selection – World Premiere screening, Toronto
City of Freaks, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – performer, Toronto
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition, Toronto
2004
Keith Cole Retrospective: My Own Public Yentl, Pleasure Dome – solo performance and screening, Toronto
The Art Gallery of York University Performance Bus, AGYU – creator and performer, Toronto
TAFFI: Toronto Alternative Art Fair, solo performance – group exhibition, Toronto
2003
OUTrage, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – performer, Toronto
Sextacular Cabaret, Harbourfront Centre – performer, Toronto
Michael Jackson: A Love Story For One, Zsa Zsa Gallery – group exhibition, Toronto
SUNFLOWER, Splice This! Super 8 Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
I Think I’m Coming Down With Something, Inside/OUT Film Festival – group screening, Toronto
Cheers Queers, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – performer, Toronto
Bucks For Bitch, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – curator and performer, Toronto
2002
Porn-a-Roake redux: The Musical, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – creator and performer, Toronto
Porn-a-Roake, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – creator and performer, Toronto
I Think I’m Coming Down With Something, Splice This! Super 8 Film Festival – group screening, Toronto
Coyote, beautiful, Inside/OUT Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
Craft Craft Craft, Zsa Zsa Gallery – group exhibition – solo performance, Toronto
2001
Piñata, Splice This! Super 8 Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
The Boys Next Door, Inside/OUT Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
I Believe In The Good Of Life, West Wing Gallery – solo performance – group exhibition, Toronto
Spring Break, Zsa Zsa Gallery – group exhibition, Toronto
2000
Lonely Lisgar Street Performance Festival, Mercer Union Art Gallery – performer, Toronto
Prrr&Crackers, Splice This! Super 8 Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
Jack, the Lad, Images Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
1999
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art – group exhibition, Toronto
1998
PROJECT A, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – creator, Toronto
1997
Nancy Boy Versus Manly Woman, Inside/OUT Film Festival – World Premiere screening, Toronto
1996
Toilet, Moving Pictures Festival of Dance on Film and Video – World Premiere screening, Toronto
Toilet, Dances for a Small Stage – choreographer and performer, Toronto
1995
Barbara, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre – choreographer and performer, Toronto
In The Olden Days, Tarragon Theatre – creator and performer, Toronto
Audition Technique II, The Theatre Centre – creator and performer, Toronto
Barbara, Dances for a Small Stage – choreographer and performer, Toronto
Selected Film / Video Works
2011: Charles and Leo (director, producer)
2010: Left (director, producer, co-editor, performer)
2009: Still On About Keith Cole (director, choreographer)
2008: The Futurist Loop (director, producer, performer)
2007: Pepper’s Lost Highway, director, producer, performer
2006: Vegetable or Fruit, Weed, Stalk or Root?, director, producer
2006: The Stars Are Ruined, director, producer, performer
2005: Une Petite Mort, co-director/editor/producer with Michael Caines
2004: SUNFLOWER, co-producer/editor, choreographer with Michael Caines
2003: I Think I’m Coming Down With Something, director, producer, performer
2002: Coyote, beautiful, director, choreographer, producer, performer
2001: The Boys Next Door, co-director/producer/writer/editor with Michael Caines
1997: Nancy Boy Versus Manly Woman, producer, writer, performer
1996: Toilet, director, choreographer, performer
Curatorial Projects
2011 – 2019: Rock Hudson Memorial Tuck Shop. ARTATTACK! Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2011: HIVE. OCAD U Graduate Gallery
2009-2010: The Keith Cole Experience. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2009: The Needle Exchange. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2008: The Circumcised Circus. The Power Plant
2003: Bucks for Bitch. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2002: Porn-a-Roake redux: The Musical. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2002: Porn-a-Roake. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Teaching
2014 – present: Professor “Introduction To Visual Culture” (CUL254)
Faculty of Liberal Studies, Seneca College, Newnham Campus, Toronto
Supervisor: Maxine Britto/Claire Moane/Amanda Nowensky
2018 (January – April 2018) Professor “World of Art” (CUL710)
Faculty of Liberal Studies, Seneca College, Seneca@York Campus, Toronto
Supervisor: John Stilla
2010 – 2012: Teaching Assistant - Sculpture and Installation
Faculty of Arts, OCAD U
Supervisors: Professor Colette Whiten, Professor David Pellettier, Professor Nina Leo
2007 – 2009: Movement, Performance and Visual Aesthetics Coach
Faculty of English, Guelph University
Supervisor: Professor Sky Gilbert
2005 – 2006: Performance and Movement Coach
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Queer Youth Program
2000 – 2004: Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
Introduction to Public and Government Media Relations
Supervisor: Roberto Ariganello
Selected Grants /Awards / Nominations
2021: Ontario Arts Council Project Grant
2020: Dora Award Nomination for BOX 4901 (Best Performance By An Ensemble)
2015: NOW Magazine Best of Toronto Reader’s Choice Award – 1st Runner Up - Best Performance Artist
2014: NOW Magazine Best of Toronto Reader’s Choice Award – Best Performance Artist
2014: Toronto Arts Council Visual and Media Arts Curatorial Grant for HIT PARADE
2010 – 2012: OCAD U Graduate Scholarship
2012: The Charles Pachter Graduate Studies Installation Bursary
2011: The Olga Korper Graduate Studies Installation / Performance Bursary
2010: XTRA! Magazine’s Mouthiest Queer Award
2008: Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nomination – Best Male Performance in a Musical
2006 – 2008: Ontario Arts Council Playwriting Grant
2007: The Roberto Ariganello Independent Filmmakers Award
2004: National Tap Dance Award
2003: Howard Bronthman Foundation - Performance Grant
2000: Pink Triangle Award For Community Service in the LGBT Community
2000 – 2004: LIFT Production Grant - Grant to complete 4 short films
1997 – 2000: Lesbian & Gay Community Appeal - Filmmakers Completion Fund
1997: Canada Council for the Arts – Grants for Short Fiction Writers
1995: Ontario Arts Council – Emerging Artists Film Production Grant
Published and Online Writing
2022: PUBLIC Hiding In Plain Sight. York University, Toronto, Ontario.
2017: Playwrights Canada Press. QUEER/PLAY. Collected Essays, Plays, Anthology. Edited by Moynan King.
2017: Coach House Books. Any Other Way: How Toronto Got Queer. Collected Essays. Edited by Jane Farrow.
2016: The Reading Salon. SOSNSBFU. Collected Essays. Curated and edited by Raymond Heliko.
2014: Guernica Editions. Compulsive Acts: Essays, Interviews, Reflections on the Works of Sky Gilbert.
2014: XTRA! Dirty Looks. Pleasure Dome and Dirty Looks:NYC screening / performance. May 2014.
2014: dailyxtra.com Love Mind. The Photography of Robert Flack.
2014: The Dance Current Transforming The Dominant Script of Dance. January 2014
2013: XTRA! In The Pantheon Of All-Time Greats. Reporting on KIDS ON TV. December 2013
2013: XTRA! Will Munro: Army of Lovers. Book review. September 2013
2013: KAPSULA Magazine “Crisis: Clare Danes In Peril.” August 2013
2013: Fab Magazine Rearranging Reality. Profile on Dennis Day. March 2013
2013: Fab Magazine Andrew, Interrupted. Profile on Andrew Harwood. January 2013
2012: Fab Magazine Cannibal, Witch, Nympho. Profile on Fastwürms. October 2012
2012: MFA Thesis Major Research Paper Stickers and Glitter. June 2012
2011: FUSE Magazine The Colour Flyer Campaign. February 2011
Talks and Panels
2022: Crafting Community: A Symposium on Arts Practice & Research (Toronto Metropolitan University).
2022: Artist Panel: “Artists In The Archive.” Indexing Resistance, Toronto Ontario.
2019: Artist Talk: “Carrvaggio and The Unreliable Narrator.” Hybla Academy. Hybla, Ontario.
2017: Keynote Speaker. Community Under Pressure. Western University Visual Art Graduate Conference. London, Ont.
2016: Artist Talk. Push It. Push It Real Good. Art Gallery of Bancroft. Bancroft, Ontario.
2015: Artist Talk. Tom Thomson Is Gay. Art Gallery of Bancroft. Bancroft, Ontario.
2014: Artist Talk. Go Hard Or Go Home. Residue, Documentation & The Ephemeral in Performance. Videofag
2012: Artist Talk. I’ve Got The Music In Me. Videofag
2012: Moderator. Kids On TV: Hidden Histories and Spectacular Misfits. Videofag
2008: Artist Talk. Art In Education. Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2007: Artist Talk. The Spectacular and the Sensational. The Power Plant
2004: Artist Talk. The Father. Moving Pictures Festival of Dance on Film and Video – Harbourfront Centre
2002: Artist Talk. The Director As Editor. Canadian Filmmaker’s Distribution Centre
Selected Press/Media/Online Journals/Catalogues
2018: Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries (1971-1989) , Art Gallery of Ontario. Edited by Wanda Nanibush
2018: Susan Walker Arts Blog http://susanwalkerartsblog.com/2018/06/22/anatomy-of-a-performance-artist/
2016: Autumn Play (autumn 2016) artist profile
2016: The Bancroft Times (summer 2016) artist profile
2014: OCAD U SKETCH Magazine (summer 2014) artist profile
2013: The Washington Post (November 21st, 2013) article by Monica Hesse / lifestyle profile
2012: Katalog / artist profile (“Gemini” Issue 7, edited by Andrew Harwood, katalog.ccponline.net)
2012: Fab Magazine / artist profile
2011: Terence Dick AKIMBLOG / review “Three Bad Words” at Paul Petro Contemporary Art (08/02/11)
2011: Toronto Life Magazine / artist profile
2010: NoMorePotlucks / artist profile (“Mea Culpa” edited by Mariko Tamaki, nomorepotlucks.org)
2010: XTRA! Magazine / artist profile
2010: The Globe and Mail / artist profile
2010: Dandyhorse Magazine / artist profile
2010: NOW Magazine / artist profile
2009: Fab Magazine / artist profile (Cover Story)
2008: The Toronto Star / artist profile
2008: SPIN Magazine / artist profile
2007: Canadian Art Magazine / artist profile
2007: C Magazine / artist profile (Cover Story)
2007: Maclean’s Magazine / artist profile
2006: EYE Weekly / artist profile (Cover Story)
2005: XTRA! Magazine / artist profile
2004: NOW Magazine / artist profile
2004: Screen International / artist profile
2004: Fab Magazine / artist profile
2004: LIFT Magazine / artist profile (Cover Story)
2002: The Toronto Star / artist profile (Cover Story) 2002: OUT Magazine / artist profile
2000: Dance International / artist profile
1999: EYE Weekly / artist profile
1998: The Advocate / artist profile
1998: Toronto Life Magazine / artist profile
1998: XTRA! Magazine / artist profile (Cover Story)
Board of Directors
2001-2014: Board member The Cabaret Company
1998-2000: Board member Topological Theatre Company
1997-2000: Board member Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT)
1994-1997: Board member The Taler Group for Dance
1995-1996: Board member Moving Pictures Festival of Dance on Film and Video
1990-1994: Board member The Fringe Of Toronto Theatre Festival
Volunteer Committees
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
2010 – 2019: ARTATTACK! Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Annual Art Auction Steering Committee
1995-1997: Committee member Dancers For Life
1996: Committee member Fashion Cares
1994-1995: Special Events Committee Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Dora Mavor Moore Awards
1999-2000 Search Committee: Dance Jury
1996-1997: Chairperson: New Choreography
1995-1996: Juror: New Choreography
Professional Associations
Association of Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA)
Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA)
Artwork Donations
2018: XPACE annual group show fundraiser
2017: The John B. Aird Gallery “Mistletoe Magic” annual group show fundraiser
2017: XPACE annual group show fundraiser
2016: The John B. Aird Gallery “Mistletoe Magic” annual group show fundraiser
2015: XPACE annual group show fundraiser
2014: XPACE annual group show fundraiser
2014: CANFAR: “Paint The Town Red” May 2014
2013: XPACE annual group show fundraiser
2011: The Gay/Lesbian/Trans Youth Line Annual Art Auction
2010: OCAD U - The Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale
Residencies
2019: Artist in Residence. Ryerson University (Toronto Metropolitan University)
2016: Self-Directed Residency The Bluewater Revue (Georgian Bay, Ontario)
2015: Self-Directed Residency / Artist In Residence The Drake Devonshire Residency
2013 – 2019: Hybla, Ontario. Artist In Residence
2011: Self-Directed Residency Dundas, Ontario Art Co-Op
Other
2020: Paul Petro Contemporary Art multiples and small works https://www.multiplesandsmallworks.com/keith-cole
2019: Thesis Panel External Examiner University of Guelph – MFA Graduate Program
2016 – ongoing: Host Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG AWARDS)
2012: Thesis Panel External Examiner OCAD U – BFA Program
2011: Internship FADO Performance Art
2008 – 2010: Member of Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Playwrights Unit
1999 - 2000: Self-Directed Residency Banff Centre for the Arts
1996 – present: Member of The Hardworkin' Homosexuals Collective