ABOUT US

Board of Directors

The York Region Arts Council’s board of directors is composed of volunteer representatives from each of the nine York Region municipalities, First Nations, local arts councils and the York Region public and Catholic school boards.

Judi McIntyre – Chair

Judi McIntyre is the current Chair of the York Region Arts Council. She recently retired from the position of Executive Director of the Markham Arts Council. An organization which she founded.

Neil Moore – Vice Chair

Neil Moore is employed by York Region Media Group as Community Development Manager and is also an AJAC accredited automotive journalist. Neil also sits on a variety of boards and committees throughout northern York Region, has been involved with several Chambers of Commerce and is a former municipal councillor with the Town of Georgina.

Susan Morton Leonard – Vice Chair

Classical trained vocalist, music educator for private elementary school, owned and operated music studio for 9 yrs. in York Region, founding board member for the Aurora Cultural Centre, present member of Artscure Board and Advisory Board member of newly formed Aurora Festival of the Arts, vice chair of YRAC, aspiring visual artist.

Michelle Zikovitz – Past Chair

As Arts Supervisor for the Town of Richmond Hill, Michelle is involved in the development & organization of such events as the annual Studio Tour and Art Sale, Film Festival & Series, Student Art Show & more. She researches, reviews and develops art programs & initiatives and oversee the art rental space.

Tricia Clark – Treasurer

Tricia Clark recently joined the York Region Arts Council Board, and has been involved in the York Region community for many years.

Manuele Mizzi – Secretary

Manuele Adrian Mizzi holds a B.F.A. in Voice Performance from York University. He holds the position of Performing Arts Teacher at Richland Academy in Richmond Hill. He also is the owner of the private musical school of piano and voice, A Little Night Music.

Greg Locke – King

Greg Locke is a professional glass artist located in King Township, Ontario. He is a Board member of Arts Society King and Co-Chair of the annual Schomberg Village Street Gallery. Greg is YRAC’s Grants Committee Chair.

Helen Argiro – Markham

Helen Argiro is a professional writer who also has extensive expereince working in the film industry. Helen is the new Executive Director of the Markham Arts Council.

Angela Palermo – Vaughan

Angela has worked in the area of arts, culture and heritage preservation at the City of Vaughan for 23 years. She currently holds the position of manager of cultural services in the Recreation and Culture Department. Her portfolio includes, arts and culture programming and events, diversity, City Playhouse Theatre, cultural heritage preservation and archaeology in the development process, Recreation marketing and special needs.

Stephanie Dyriw – Newmarket

Stephanie Dyriw represents the Town of Newmarket, as the Recreation Programmer for Arts & Culture. Lindsey liaises with arts & culture groups within the Newmarket community and is responsible for the execution of the Town of Newmarket Cultural Master Plan.

Dorie Billich – Whitchurch-Stouffville

Dorie Billich is the Manager of Culture & Museum Services for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Overseeing the operations of the Lebovic Centre for Arts & Entertainment –Nineteen on the Park and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum, Dorie also liaises with the Latcham Gallery, fosters awareness and collaboration within the local cultural community and promotes local tourism.

Phil Rose-Donahoe – Georgina

As Manager of Cultural Services for the Town of Georgina, Phil oversees the operation of the Stephen Leacock Theatre and the Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives. He also works closely with various community partners to build a shared vision of culture in Georgina. Phil holds a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.

Heather Fullerton – Georgina

Heather Fullerton has been the driving force at the Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery (GAC) for the last six years and has helped it grow into one of the top four galleries in York Region, which is now enjoyed by tourists and visitors from around the world.

Jo-Anne Spitzer – Aurora

Jo-Anne is an active member of the Aurora community, donating her time to the York Region Arts Council, Theatre Aurora and many other arts and culture organizations.

Karin Ash – Richmond Hill

Karin Ash, Manager of Adult and Cultural Services for the Town of Richmond Hill, Community Services Department. Included in the portfolio is arts and culture programming and events, such as Doors open, Studio Tour, Art Exhibition Space Rental program and more.

Cathy Morton – East Gwillimbury

Cathy brings a wealth of volunteer and community service to the Council table. She has been the recipient of the 125th Governor General’s award for Volunteer Service. She continues to be actively involved in her spare time as Chair of the Mount Albert Sports Day Committee and as a member of the East Gwillimbury Historical Society, Mount Albert Garden & Horticultural Society and the East Gwillimbury Friends of the Library.Cathy is also the Chair of our 2011 fundraising gala, Growing the Arts – 2nd York Region Dinner for the Arts.

Suzanne Smoke – First-Nations

Is a Native consultant and teaches in various institutions, schools, resorts and retreats. She teaches Native arts and culture and is the Marketing Manager and Program coordinator at the Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery in Sutton.

Brenda McGowan – York Region

Brenda McGowan holds the position of Manager, Business Development at The Regional Municipality of York. She is responsible for the provision of leadership, services and resources to build capacity and sustain the economic vitality of York Region’s small business and tourism sector. Recently created www.hospitalityfirst.ca – a website supporting hospitality careers and entrepreneurship and interactive customer service modules.

Susan Perek – Society of York Region Artists

Susan Perek is a practicing visual artist and is our representitive of the Society of York Region Artists (SOYRA). She is also sits on the Executive Show Committee.

Cathy Molloy – Markham Museum

Cathy Molloy is the Museum Director of the Markham Museum. She previously held the position of Manager-Curator at the Aurora Historical Society.

THIS MONTH AT YRAC

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