Alliance des Conseils des arts de l’Ontario
Notre organisation comprend plus de 30 membres, dont des conseils des arts municipaux et régionaux, des conseils des arts communautaires et des réseaux d’artistes, des quatre coins de l’Ontario. Collectivement, ils représentent des dizaines de milliers d’artistes, des centaines d’organisations artistiques locales de toutes les tailles et toutes les disciplines qui offrent de la programmation et des services artistiques et culturels dans leurs communautés. Ils représentent également des travailleuses et travailleurs culturels et des groupes artistiques de toutes les disciplines, ainsi que leurs bénévoles et leurs publics.
Notre équipe
Board of Directors
Shruti Ganapathy– Co-Chair
Shruti Ganapathy is the Executive Director of the Markham Arts Council. She is a marketing and social media aficionado, passionate author and digital storyteller who loves to explore and share stories about her community in Canada. Shruti comes with great experience in Event Management, Public and Media Relations. She holds a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Contemporary History from Queen Mary, University of London and has completed her Executive MBA from Harvard University. As the Co-Chair for the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario (AACO) Shruti contributes her time to growing the Arts Sector as a whole within the Province of Ontario.
Janet Jarrell– Co-Chair
Janet Jarrell (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) since 2018, bringing a diverse background in strategic planning, not-for-profit finance and marketing. A published author and experienced editor-in-chief, Janet spearheads the success of QAC’s notable Umbrella, a cornerstone program for the organization. With over fifteen years dedicated to profiling local artists, she has cultivated a strong network, facilitating partnerships and sponsorships.
As the Co-Chair of the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario, she actively cultivates a platform for resource sharing, partnerships, and collaborative efforts with Arts Service Organizations across the province. Actively engaged in her community, she serves on the City of Belleville Economic Development Committee, part-time professor at Loyalist College, and previously chaired Options for Social Growth for five years.
Janet is committed to advancing the strategic vision of arts and culture and ensuring they remain a vital and thriving presence in the community.
Mike Douglas– Director
Mike Douglas has enjoyed bringing the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) into sharp focus as a valuable arts service agency, initiating new opportunities for creative expression, employment and recognition. MAC supports the professional development of artists, providing educational webinars, online coaching and seminars that grow ‘artpreneurial’ capacity and enhanced skills.
Turning the Mississauga Arts Awards into a gala dinner celebration has made The MARTYS the most comprehensive city arts awards program in Canada. The artists’ showcase that is MAC’s Masquerade Ball has evolved into a successful fundraiser, helping MAC operate its micro-granting programs that saw 50 grants awarded for $150,000 in 2023.
Previously, Mike was founding Editor and Co-Publisher of the popular city magazine Mississauga Life – Spirit of the City. For 30 years he was a freelance television director for network documentaries and dramas, this TV work included significant assignments for leading companies in Canada. Mike’s many years of community volunteering earned him the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012.
Cassandra Olsthoorn– Director
Cassandra Olsthoorn (she/her/elle) has been leading and developing noteworthy projects for the Ottawa arts community through different roles at Arts Network Ottawa for 15 years. Her visionary, thoughtful approach to a team-driven workplace focuses on the delivery of dynamic programming and services to the community. Her unique brand of leadership has positioned Arts Network as a collaborative champion within the sector. Cassandra is passionate about Ottawa and believes that the arts help builds strong, vibrant communities.
Nicole Milne– Director
As Executive Director of the Ottawa Arts Council, Nicole is known for her strong track record of achieving results and working collaboratively to advocate in support of the local arts community.
With 30 years of experience as an arts administrator, she has held leadership positions both locally and nationally. Her expertise in non-profit arts management includes extensive experience in administration, fundraising, marketing, communications, strategic planning, project management, programming and, more recently, authentic community engagement. Since taking on the role at the Council, Nicole has introduced a heightened focus on relationship and trust-building with the arts community, while making space for historically marginalized artists.
Nicole also plays an active role in Ottawa’s thriving theatre community, serving as a mentor, artistic producer, actor, director and multidisciplinary performer. Her performing career spans four decades and includes leading roles in more than 50 stage productions inside and outside Ontario.
David Hudson – Director
David Hudson (he/him) has been performing, creating and appreciating contemporary dance for over twenty years. Born and raised in Oxford, UK, David trained at The Laban Centre in London. David has enjoyed a diverse career as a dancer, choreographer, educator, and drag artist. Now living in downtown Hamilton with his husband and two dogs, David has been working for the Hamilton Arts Council team since 2019, and as Executive Director since January of 2024. In addition to his role with AACO, David is a current serving board chair for Aeris Körper Contemporary Dance.
Les Ontariennes et Ontariens valorisent les arts et les arts sont d’une grande valeur pour l’Ontario