Who and What is Arts Ahead?
Arts Ahead is an annual one-day symposium for arts professionals and cultural leaders from organizations across Ontario. It is a student-run event organized by the Arts Management post-graduate cohort at Centennial College.
This marks our fifth year engaging art professionals, including artists and arts managers, in important conversations on a wide range of topics across our sector. This includes 2020’s Transforming Tomorrow: Creating and Producing Art in a Changing World.
Centennial College’s Arts Management program prepares its students for a career in the evolving arts and cultural industry. The Arts Management courses in this two-semester Graduate Certificate program focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to work in the performing arts sector (theatres, dance companies, music organizations and presenting facilities), the exhibiting arts sector (galleries, museum) and many other cultural and arts-related areas such as arts and film festivals.
Click Here if you want to learn more about our program!
The Arts Ahead 2020 Team
Co-Chairs
Danielle Parris
Danielle Parris is one of the co-chairs for the Arts Ahead 2020 Symposium. Having graduated from Ryerson University with an English B.A., she was trained in written communications. She prides herself on being a literary enthusiast and advocate for the arts. She is currently volunteering her time and attending events throughout the city of Toronto that promote art and culture. Danielle plans to create a name for herself in the industry as an arts leader and innovator within the fields of community outreach, education, and programming. Outside of the Arts Management program, Danielle can be found crafting charcuterie boards, exploring the city, and consuming various pastries while lost in a book.
Isabela (Izzie) Solis-Lozano
Isabela (Izzie) Solis-Lozano is one of the co-chairs of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. Last summer she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Lit and Theatre from the University of Ottawa. Within the theatre sphere, Izzie enjoys directing and playwriting. In fact, she is currently developing two new plays and has had a variety of directing credits with the Youth Infringement Festival in Ottawa. Izzie hopes to one day work in development, events, and community arts within the Toronto theatre world. When not busy with the Arts Management program and working at the Canadian Opera Company box office, Izzie also enjoys dog watching, historical dramas, and hot beverages of most kinds.
Finance
Lixi Qin (Leonard)
Lixi Qin (also known as Leonard) is a member of the financial and development team of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium, currently studying Arts Management program at Centennial College. He has a master’s degree in music specializing in classical piano. He has hosted several concerts in Oklahoma City and worked at the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. As a musician, he has been performing piano for over 15 years in many different styles. He has also worked as a production assistant in music festivals, which inspired him to pursue a certificate in Arts Management.
MArch Kazmy Chi
March Kazmy Chi is a professor for the academic program of Interior Design at the CRGS of the University of Monterrey since 2012, with teaching experience in design universities since 2010. She completed her master’s degree and several postgraduate degrees related to both fields and at the moment in the third year of a Doctorate program where their thesis centers on the pedagogical design methodology of morphogenesis through biomimicry. Kazmy founded the design/architecture studio + |nteriorismo in 2012. During her professional career, she has had the opportunity to participate as an architect in international architectural firms in Mexico and Spain.
Marketing
Yi Tung (Lavender) Cheng
Yi Tung (Lavender) Cheng is a member of the marketing team for Arts Ahead 2020. She graduated from Shandong University in China with a degree in Archaeology. She considers herself motivated by passion, hard work, and creativity. As a museum practitioner, she has a longstanding interest in widening access to art by engaging visitors with diverse curatorial perspectives. Lavender is excited to be starting her career in Arts Management by combining her knowledge and love for museums. Apart from shopping at the Eaton Centre, Lavender enjoys staying at home. If attempting to contact her on weekends or holidays, please message her after 12pm because she cannot wake up in the morning.
Laís Marinho
Laís Marinho is part of the marketing team of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. After having graduated as an architect and practicing interior design, Laís channels her ten years of experience into every one of her projects. She also has experience as an art consultant in a non-profit organization and as a social media creator. Always in pursuit of mixing lifestyle with design, Laís is known for her contemporary and elegant style. She loves the challenge of a new project and hopes to combine her love for architecture and visual arts in her work.
Teagan McCanny
Teagan McCanny is part of the Marketing team for the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. A recent graduate of OCAD University with a BFA in Drawing and Painting. She is a practicing artist and photographer; an observer of the world, inspired by the effects of light and colour on our environment. Teagan hopes to continue to develop her skills in gallery or museum management with respect to the art of making and collecting.
Jessica Sharples
Jessica Sharples is a member of the Marketing Committee for Arts Ahead 2020. She is a methodical maker of many mediums, having studied Visual and Creative Arts at the Haliburton School of Art + Design, Interdisciplinary Arts at NSCAD University, and Visual and Critical Studies at OCADU. While Jessica has shown her work in several exhibitions, she has also been published in an academic journal and curated the work of others, seeing herself as more of an artistic jack of all trades than just an artist. Jessica aims to align her career with that notion, focusing on events management, marketing, and whatever else comes her way. Outside of arts management she enjoys going to see live music at dive bars, reading books where nothing happens, and trying to find the best horror movies to give her nightmares.
Operations
Adrianna Chavez
Adriana Chavez is a member of the operations team for Arts Ahead 2020. She is a professional dancer with an interest in Arts Management. She considers herself a person who is driven by passion, creativity, and art. She graduated from San Francisco de Quito University with a degree in Corporate Communication and Public Relations, and a Minor in Dance. As a publicist, she has worked in events and advertising. As a dancer, she is currently taking her career to an international level and exposing Latin-American talent to new audiences. Adriana is excited to start her new career path by merging her love for dance and her knowledge in arts management. Her happy place is a dance studio and you will always find her jamming her favourite song on the TTC.
Teresa Chen
Teresa Chen is a member of the operation team of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium, currently studying Arts Management program at Centennial College. She is a musician and has an undergraduate degree specializing in piano and vocal. She has hosted several concerts in Taipei, Taiwan and also worked at the Taipei International Youth Piano competition and festival. As a musician, Teresa has been a choir member and conductor for 15 years and she would like to start her own choir group soon. She is also very interested in community art and would like to pursue this passion in her career. In her leisure time, Teresa enjoys hosting dinner parties and cooking for her family and friends.
James Nicholson
James Nicholson is a member of the operations team for Arts Ahead 2020. He attended the University of Guelph for Food Science. James is an arts journalist for Revibe magazine, writing pieces reviewing music and film. He has worked with Children’s Arts Theatre School as a Drama Educator for eight years. He was the Company Manager of SPLASH, Canada’s top show choir. A lover of the arts, James is fully immersed in the Toronto creative scene producing many events, shows and pop-ups. He looks forward to a life fully immersed in the arts. He will always be found happily dancing till the first rays of sunlight.
Development
Lixi Qin (Leonard)
Lixi Qin (also known as Leonard) is a member of the financial and development team of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium, currently studying Arts Management program at Centennial College. He has a master’s degree in music specializing in classical piano. He has hosted several concerts in Oklahoma City and worked at the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. As a musician, he has been performing piano for over 15 years in many different styles. He has also worked as a production assistant in music festivals, which inspired him to pursue a certificate in Arts Management.
Maria Alejandra Cortes
Maria Alejandra Cortes is part of the development and fundraising team of the 2010 Arts Ahead Symposium and co-owner of a Colombian-based theatre company named Paralisis Teatral. Before obtaining her bachelor in dramatic arts, she started gaining professional experience in the field as early as 2008. Her artwork reflects her interest in documentary theatre and Biodrama. Lately, her inquietude for camera acting has grown after her participation in a talk show called Gente+, which broadcasted in her hometown of Barranquilla. After graduating from Centennial’s Arts Management program, she hopes to expand her company internationally and start a career as an Art Manager in the city of Toronto. In her leisure time, she loves to meditate, dance, and practice her make up skills.
Mafa Makhubalo
Mafa Makhubalo is a movement poet influenced by his understanding of dance as an accumulation of memory and history of culture. He is inspired by personal narratives and experiences, presenting them so viewers can identify themselves and realize that as a culture, we are undivided. Mafa has presented his works in events such as Ontario Dance Weekend, International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), Body Percussion Festival, Dance Immersion ShowCase, and Mataza, Cuba. Mafa has been on the Juror and advisor for Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Foundation. Mafa is currently enrolled in the Arts Management Certificate program at Centennial College.
Meagan Mallough
Meagan Mallough is a member of the fundraising team for Arts Ahead 2020. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has completed courses in Project Management at the Chang School of Continuing Studies at Ryerson University. Meagan is an active art advocate within the community. She is a supporting member of the Propeller Gallery and a visual artist who has curated three art shows within the Toronto area for local artists. As an adventurer, she is continually making new connections in the art world by completing art residency programs at the Berlin Art Institute. With a background in fundraising and events, watch out for Meagan as she hopes to one day own an artist residency in Toronto. Apart from making the best coffee, you’ll ever have, she enjoys taking long walks through the dog park with her pugs Doug and Lewis.
Programming
Sarah Caraher
Sarah Caraher is a member of the programming team for Arts Ahead 2020. She is a graduate of both St. Clair College’s Music Theatre Performance program and Capilano University’s Bachelor of Performing Arts program. Performance credits include the title role in Theatre Calgary’s world premiere musical, The Little Prince, and Mary in Podium Concert Productions’ The Secret Garden. She is currently an Artist Educator at Young People’s Theatre and has an entrepreneurial background. Sarah is excited to be starting her career in Arts Management and is interested in Marketing and Arts Education. She loves Harry Potter, bad puns, and her dog, Toby.
MArch Kazmy Chi
March Kazmy Chi is a professor for the academic program of Interior Design at the CRGS of the University of Monterrey since 2012, with teaching experience in design universities since 2010. She completed her master’s degree and several postgraduate degrees related to both fields and at the moment in the third year of a Doctorate program where their thesis centers on the pedagogical design methodology of morphogenesis through biomimicry. Kazmy founded the design/architecture studio + |nteriorismo in 2012. During her professional career, she has had the opportunity to participate as an architect in international architectural firms in Mexico and Spain.
Nicole Cidade
Nicole Cidade is part of the programming team of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and is reaching her final education goal with the Arts Management post-graduate certificate. Nicole is now seeking to be an arts manager. Her dream is to one day work in events and shows her love for arts, culture, and entertainment to the world.
Colette Habel
Colette Habel is a member of the Programming Committee for the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. She is an interdisciplinary theatre artist, playwright, and ballet school dropout. Colette holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Writing from the University of Victoria, specializing in Directing and Play-writing. During her time living in both British Columbia and Ontario Colette collected a range of credits in directing, producing, sound design, choreography, and devised creation. Outside of the Arts Management program, she can be found making coffee at her side hustle, going to local drag shows, and googling how to take care of her many houseplants.
Brenda Kandiyoti
Brenda Kandiyoti is one of the programming team members of the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. After finishing her Bachelor of Architecture in Istanbul, she moved to Toronto to pursue her career as an art manager and an architect. She believes that art and architecture can work together to create spaces within communities that can create a better quality of life for those around them. Outside of Arts Management, she works at a design firm and also volunteers at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) as a way to support art and artists on a personal level. You can find her walking, discovering, and “touristing” around Toronto’s back streets with a cup of coffee in her hand.
Web
Mariam (Cong Zhi) Chen
Mariam (Cong Zhi) Chen is a part of the web team for the 2020 Arts Ahead symposium. She has received a BFA in Studio Arts and Art History from York University. Her academic background and passion for the arts have led her to pursue an Arts Management Diploma at Centennial College. She hopes to pursue a career in the arts and culture industry while continuing to work as a practicing artist creating artworks that address Canadian intersectional identities. In her spare time, Mariam can be found reading the latest articles about art criticism and art history, as well as reflecting on her own identity through creative writing.
Shannon Twine
Shannon Twine is one of the website designers for the 2020 Arts Ahead Symposium. She is a graduate of Nova Scotia College of Art and Design where she honed her skills in painting and ceramics, accompanied by a minor in art history. She has taught ceramics at the Kawartha Pottery Guild and is currently teaching at the Art School of Peterborough. Shannon hopes to one day be a program coordinator or an executive director for an art centre. When she is not teaching pottery, she can be found having a lazy day with her cat and dog or painting her latest series.