ABOUT
Next Generation Arts is a not-for-profit charitable arts organization serving youth in the Greater Toronto Area. Our goal is to advance education by providing structured learning activities in the arts to create accessible opportunities that enhance artistic and innovative practices for youth, the next generation of artists, arts administrators, art appreciators and the public in the Greater Toronto Area. Through programming, sessions and professional development with specialized facilitators, we provide our members with teachings and access to resources that allow them to develop their creativity and performance in various artistic fields.
Next Generation Arts works in a cyclical model in that projects, programs and events impact the community through peer-to-peer and graduate models. Through programming, mentorship and networking, we provide our members with teachings and access to resources that allow them to develop their creativity and performance in various artistic fields - overall allowing youth to become leaders in community.
At Next Generation Arts, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our pillars. We are committed to these values and strive each day to ensure that our mission, practices and conversations create a long-lasting and positive impact for the communities which we serve.
OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Board Members
We are currently accepting expressions of interest for two Board positions requiring expertise in Fundraising and Development, and Legal Affairs.
Call for Youth Board Member (ages 19–26)
This is a unique opportunity for a young changemaker to bring forward the voice of youth while gaining mentorship, leadership training, and real experience in nonprofit governance. We are looking for a youth who is already engaged in community or arts leadership—perhaps through school, youth councils, arts councils, or grassroots organizing—and who dreams of building a future career in arts, education, or community development.
This position offers an honorarium of $400 year ($100 per quarter). No board experience is required—just purpose, passion, time commitment, and a willingness to learn.
The Board of Directors will review applications until all the positions are filled.
STAFF
Jen D. fabico-SMITH, Executive + Artistic Director
For more than 14 years, Jen has been a noteworthy leader in the arts, community, and education sectors. As a big believer in people and collaboration, she identifies as a female person-of-colour who resides in, works in, and works for diverse, multicultural communities. She is committed to providing access to resources, particularly in the arts and culture sector.
Jen is recognized as a strong advocate for youth and communities, credited with contributions to multiple City of Toronto cultural festivals, artistic publications, exhibitions, and murals. Additionally, she has actively participated in community awareness and advocacy committees, working towards bringing about meaningful opportunities and positive change.
Before founding Next Generation Arts, Jen worked for a diverse range of organizations, including the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Mural Routes, Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA), and Scarborough Arts. She has also consulted and facilitated for the University of Toronto, TTC, York University, and York Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, amongst many others.
Passionate about the arts and its possibilities to communities and culture, Jen continues to teach, mentor, and advocate to help youth gain access to new resources, networks, and opportunities. In celebration of Canada’s 150th year of Confederation, Jen was honoured in the University of Toronto’s 150 Neighbours initiative, recognizing individuals who made significant contributions to enhance their communities. And in 2023, receiving an certificate and medal from the Parliament of Canada, Jen was recognized by the Honourable MP John McCay, for her contributions to Scarborough-Guildwood communities.
Marianne rellin, Associate Director
Marianne Rellin is an arts administrator and designer with 10+ years of experience in marketing and communications, project management, and youth mentorship within the arts and culture sector.
Her interest in stories, systems, creative solutions, and collaborative ways of working has enabled her to cultivate a diverse creative portfolio that spans print and digital publications, branding and identity projects, site-specific installations, youth outreach initiatives, and integrated marketing and communications campaigns. Notable projects include coordinating creative placemaking initiatives in Scarborough as part of City of Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot, and creating the branding and marketing materials for Home Made Visible, a nationwide archival project by the Regent Park Film Festival that toured across Canada.
Marianne has worked for several arts, culture, and media organizations, including Scarborough Arts, York Region Arts Council, Exclaim!, and presently, the Art Museum at the University of Toronto, where she is communications coordinator. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management and Art History from the University of Toronto.
Marianne wholeheartedly believes in the power of youth’s imagination, curiosity, and creativity, recognizing their unlimited potential to spark transformation and effect positive change. She is thrilled to contribute to the support and empowerment of youth through her work at Next Generation Arts.
Pirasha Piratheepan, Operations Manager
Pirasha graduated from Western University Of Ontario and specialized in Human Resources Management, where she developed a keen understanding of organizational growth and leadership. Pirasha currently works as a Project Assistant for the Neighborhood Solutions Strategy, focusing on economic opportunities, housing and community development in York Region. In addition, Pirasha is a Community Ambassador and NSS representative for the South Markham Community Action Table for the York Region Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
In addition to her work in operations and project management, Pirasha has a deep commitment to youth empowerment. She is a Junior Leader for a youth council (EYW) for the City of Toronto, collaborating with Toronto Public Health to create and implement initiatives and events that engage and support youth in local communities. With her combined expertise in human resources, community engagement, and project management, Pirasha is driven to make a lasting difference by empowering youth and fostering positive change in her community.
ANju Arora, H.E.A.L PROJECT COORDINATOR
Anju is the HEAL Project Coordinator at Next Generation Arts, where she combines lived experience with a deep commitment to community care. She supports the delivery of trauma-informed, arts-based programming that helps youth process grief, build resilience, and reconnect with joy. With a background in community outreach through her role as Lead – Community Ambassador for the Traumatic Incident Response Protocol (TIRP) - Markham, Anju brings a grounded, empathetic approach to working with communities affected by violence and trauma. Her work is guided by a belief that healing happens in connection—and that safe, creative spaces can be powerful tools for recovery, reflection, and growth.
Morgan Blades, Freelance communcations specialist
Morgan Blades is a communications and marketing consultant with a strong foundation in Public Relations. She works closely with non-profit organizations to amplify their stories, deepen community engagement, and bring clarity and impact to their digital communication.
Morgan also works in the travel and hospitality sector with Kensington Tours. She brings expertise in client experience, trip design, and high-touch service to create thoughtful and memorable journeys. Her work reflects a deep passion for travel and a commitment to delivering elevated, human-centred experiences.
In addition to her consulting and travel work, Morgan contributes to programming and creative initiatives with The Black Academy. She supported the development of the Legacy Awards, Canada’s first nationally televised show celebrating Black Canadian talent, helping shape experiences that highlight culture, excellence, and representation.
Across all her roles, Morgan is driven by storytelling, cultural impact, and creating experiences that inspire and uplift.
FACILITATORS
DAN-E-O, Music Facilitator
At the age of 13, Daniel Faraldo, known professionally as Dan-e-o, won a rap-off contest on Toronto’s “Electric Circus” dance show. Five years later, his first single “Dear Hip Hop” was featured on Beat Factory’s Rap Essentials Volume One compilation. The Canadian hip-hop classic would launch Dan-e-o’s future labelling as “legend”.
Dan-e-o’s greatest accomplishment, however, took place on April 23, 2014, when he became a father to his wonderful daughter, Melina. His fifth solo album, The Day It All Changed takes listeners along with him on his new fatherhood journey. (@daneo1010)
Patrick de Belen, Spoken Word Facilitator
Patrick de Belen is a Filipino-Canadian storyteller, arts educator, spoken word poet, writer, and filmmaker. He is most known for his collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, and CBC, and his three spoken word EPs and multiple cine-poems he wrote and directed himself.
He was the youngest poet to win a national poetry slam championship, awarded both the national Canadian poet of honour and youth poet of honour title, and a few more storytelling accolades throughout his career.
When he is not writing or sharing, he is an educator and youth mentor, partnering with many institutions like addiction centres, mental health focused organizations, libraries, schools, jails and more—advocating for storytelling opportunities in as many spaces as possible. (@patrick_debelen | patrickdebelen.com)
Sheniz Janmohamed, Inter-Arts Facilitator
Sheniz Janmohamed was born and raised in Tkaronto with ancestral ties to Kenya and India. A poet, artist educator and nature artist, Sheniz is a graduate of the MFA in Creative Writing program at the University of Guelph.
In the last 15 years, Sheniz has presented her poetry internationally, including the Jaipur Literature Festival, Aga Khan Museum and TEDXYouth Toronto. She has three poetry collections published by Mawenzi House: Bleeding Light (2010), Firesmoke (2014) and Reminders on the Path (2021). Her nature art has been featured across Turtle Island, including the National Arts Centre and MOCA.
A recipient of the Lois Birkenshaw-Fleming Creative Teaching Scholarship, Sheniz holds an Artist Educator Mentor certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Ontario. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she visits dozens of organizations and schools each year.
In 2022, Sheniz served as the Writer-in-Residence at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, the first writer of South Asian descent to serve in this position. At the moment, she’s writing her fourth book, a collection of hybrid essays about her grandmother’s garden in Kenya. Sheniz currently holds a position as a creative writing instructor at U of T’s School of Continuing Studies. (@shenizpoetics | shenizjanmohamed.com)
RHEE MARIZ PE, Visual Arts Facilitator
Mariz is a community leader who works with the City of Toronto amongst other organizations to help provide opportunities and experiences for youth.
She believes that the arts is a healthy way to explore one’s feelings, personality, and the world around us. Over the past 5 years, Mariz has been facilitating youth workshops and has worked with several youth groups in Toronto to manage and mentor for events of different scales.
Krystyna Czereyska, Visual Arts & Photography Facilitator
Krystyna Czereyska (BFA,ATD, MA) is an art educator and artist with an almost 40 year career teaching visual arts and photography at the high school, CEGEP/college, and university levels. Subjects taught range from painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, as well as darkroom and digital photography. A background in Art History & Gallery Education was developed during her early years with the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Education Department.
During the 1990s Krystyna served on the Kodak Advisory Council for Secondary Education in Photography. Over the years, she has given numerous art and photo workshops for various organizations including the Ontario Society for Education through Art, the Quebec Art Teacher’s Association, the Photo Educator’s Forum Conferences (TMU) and Scarborough Arts.
A key portion of Krystyna’s teaching career has been with the York Catholic District School Board. Her last formal post was as Instructor in the Regional Arts Program, at the Board’s “Arts Focus” High School.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Althea Wilson, SECRETARY
Since 2003, Althea has been a dedicated leader in community development, with a career rooted in grassroots advocacy and youth empowerment. Her journey began with the Morningside Youth Group, where she helped spearhead a playground revitalization initiative for the Danzig Street community. By 2009, Althea had joined the Dorset Park Youth Advisory Council (DPYAC) as Head of Public Relations. Her commitment and leadership eventually led her to become Executive Director. Under her guidance, DPYAC mobilized over 5,000 community members to advocate for a youth space at McGregor Park Recreation Centre—a successful campaign that secured $1.2 million in funding from the City of Toronto. The space officially opened in 2011 and continues to serve as a hub for youth engagement.
In 2013, Althea co-founded the "Our Space Danzig" Breakfast Club with her mother, offering vital nutritional support to school-aged children. Her efforts were recognized in 2015 with a Community Development Award—the same year she graduated from Humber College with an Associate’s Degree in Social Service Work. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University, with a double minor in Family and Group Studies and Sociology. Beyond her community and academic achievements, Althea is also known as Thea in the Toronto music scene. Her passion for the arts and advocacy intersect through her work with collectives like the United Music Collective (2009) and the East Collective (2015). Her performances—including opening for Toronto R&B legend Kim Davis and the Hon. John McKay—underscore her commitment to using creative platforms for social change.
As a Board Member, Althea brings a unique blend of lived experience, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to community. Her ability to merge cultural expression with civic engagement continues to inspire and drive meaningful impact across Scarborough and beyond.
Alykhan Suleman, INTERIM BOARD CHAIR
Alykhan holds a Master of Social Work Degree in Community Development and Social Planning from Wilfrid Laurier University. With over 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, he has contributed to projects spanning 21 countries worldwide. Currently, Alykhan serves as the CEO of the Social Services Network for York Region, also known as Senior Services Network, where he leads staff and volunteers in efforts to empower, support, and encourage seniors to live independently and with enrichment through various programs, services, and advocacy initiatives.
Previously, as the Executive Director of New Circles Community Services, Alykhan developed a strong network within the diverse communities along the Don Mills
Michael Man, Treasurer
Michael brings over 14 years of internal audit, finance, and capital markets regulatory oversight expertise to the Board, serving as Treasurer of NextGeneration Arts. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Michael has held progressive roles in both the public and private sectors, specializing in risk management, governance, and regulatory compliance.
With a strong background in internal audit and capital markets regulatory oversight, Michael has led initiatives to strengthen internal controls, enhance transparency, and ensure regulatory compliance with securities legislation. His commitment to ethical financial stewardship supports NGA’s mission and strategic goals. As Treasurer, Michael oversees financial reporting and audit readiness, contributing to the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Farah Hoosain, Director
Farah is an arts administrator based in the Durham Region with a passion for creating spaces where young people can express themselves through the arts. With over five years of experience across the arts industry—from leading youth and family programs to front-of-house, events, fundraising, and now marketing and communications—she’s worn many hats and loved every one of them. Farah believes deeply in the power of community as a force for change, especially when it comes to uplifting and protecting those who need it most. She’s excited to bring her hands-on experience and fresh, on-the-ground perspective to the Next Generations Art board!
sade combs, Student board member
Sade is a second-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University pursuing a BA in Creative Industries. With four years of experience working as a media and arts coordinator alongside at-risk youth across Toronto, Sade is passionate about creating safe and accessible creative spaces that celebrate diverse and marginalized voices. Sade aims to continue exploring how collaborative art practices shape and reshape collective community identity.
