Akshata Naik
North York Arts is excited to have two new summer staff members! They came to us through our internship program which we offer to students looking to enhance their career and gain school credit with practical experience.
Akshata is studying arts administration at Humber College, she will be working as the Event and Sponsorship Assistant. She looks forward to growing her insights through impactful arts and cultural works at North York Arts and gaining a complete understanding of various cultural sectoral needs in present day and in the future.
Tell me a bit about yourself and who you are as an artist
My name is Akashta and I am a newcomer to Canada; I came from India. I did my studies in visual arts and I did my major in painting. Since my graduation, I have been working on art projects that engage communities through large art installations. I had my first solo exhibition in the UK in 2016 where I put around 1500 paper boats on display as a part of an art installation for newcomers, immigrants and refugees affected by crisis across the globe. I recently had a show as part of a project at the Coldstream Fine Arts gallery in Toronto. It was very similar to what I did in the UK two years back, with 700 paper red boats put across the gallery. That’s my artistic process and journey.
Where does your passion for the arts come from?
I remember as a child I was always drawn to creative activities. I loved painting and enjoyed drawing. Since then, I’ve been drawn towards the arts and this helped me decide to make it my career path. I think with respect to visual arts, my art practice is something where I like to involve the audience into the art and not just let the audience be a viewer from a distance. That is what drives me towards art.
Why did you decide to work in the Arts and Culture Sector
I think the arts and culture sector is one of the most sensitive sectors and, with today’s new technology and complications around the globe, the sector is needed and necessary! I think art is one thing that brings people together, that brings humanity together. The larger reason for being in art is to bring peace through art.
What excites you about interning at North York Arts?
I think it’s the space, the people, the projects, and the activities that they have lined up. I am interested in working with them and growing with them as a Local Arts Service Organization. I think there is a lot to learn about how an organization works at an administrative level and understanding their strategic plans.
