Meet the Team
Meet Christina
Christina is inspired by the role the arts play in uplifting, inspiring, and celebrating communities. Born and raised in Toronto, Christina has over a decade of experience in the international arts /non-profit sector having held leadership positions in arts organizations in Canada and abroad. She is an alum and Board member of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and holds an MA in Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Christina is thrilled to join NorthYork Arts as Executive Director as of August 2021.
What does art mean to you?
Creativity breathes life into community
Meet Melissa
Melissa joined North York Arts in 2014 and has 15 years working in various roles throughout the public sector. She holds a BA (hons) in Theatre Studies from York University and a Community Arts Practice Certificate from York University. She also holds a post-degree diploma in Arts Management from Western University.
What does art mean to you?
Exploring our shared humanity
Meet Cecilia
Originally from Brazil, Cecilia holds a BFA in film studies. After arriving in Canada in 2014, she received a diploma in arts management and has since volunteered and worked with multiple arts organizations in Toronto. She is thrilled to be at NYA to help to build communities through the arts.
What does art mean to you?
Art creates connections and community!
Meet Julián
Julián is a multifaceted, colourful and vibrant queer Latinx Canadian Arts Manager/Producer with over 19 years of experience managing and delivering arts festivals and cultural events. He has worked across the city leading, coordinating, and producing both small and large-scale projects, developing marketing concepts, and has significant experience managing staff and building strong community relationships across cultural boundaries.
What does art mean to you?
The Big Bang of my life
Meet Anna
Anna joins NYA from a professional background of communications & advertising, and a longstanding passion for the arts and community building. She has been lucky to incorporate the arts into her life through performance, visual art, and creative writing.
What does art mean to you?
Art is the driving force of life.
Meet Kristina
Kristina (she/her) is Toronto-based arts administrator, designer, creative producer, and academic researcher. Her work is rooted in a drive to build spaces and experiences that make community feel seen, desired, and valued.
In addition to her role at North York Arts, she hosts and produces Crip Times Podcast, (@tangledarts), an interview series with Disabled and Mad artists, academics, and activists across North America. She holds a research position at Cripping Masculinity, (@crippingmasculunity) a project investigating how Disabled, Deaf, and Mad men (Trans and cis) and non binary folks use fashion as a way of enacting their identities. She is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to North York Arts to serve and grow the arts community in North York.
What does art mean to you?
Our access to community and life
Meet Janice
Janice believes that the arts are a powerful tool in shaping the future, especially for the next generation. Having a background in psychology, early childhood, and special education, Janice has integrated into her pedagogical approach creative ways to engage children in art playing and art-making. She believes that arts bring an array of benefits to children’s development including increased self-confidence, enhanced communication skills, and improved cognition.
She has recently completed her post-graduate diploma in Arts Management at Centennial College and is delighted to have her internship at North York Arts.
What does art mean to you?
Art is one of the highest forms of expression
Meet Alia
Alia Ettienne is a theatre writer, actor, performer and facilitator from Toronto, ON. Initially, she studied Performance at Sheridan College, moving on to explore Creative Writing and Arts Marketing. Her first solo piece, YellowZoned, premiered in The 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival and her creative wellness program, Chill N Do Art, has been running for a total of four years. Currently, she is most focused on The Creative Coping Kits Initiative, and writing her second full length piece Allow For Release: The Xiety Complex.
What does art mean to you?
A conscious form of expression
About Us
North York Arts (NYA) collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities
Contact us
North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm