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.
STAFF
Jen D. fabico, 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 over eight 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 serves as 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.
Teagan Mccanny, Projects Coordinator
Teagan is an arts manager, artist and photographer. She has worked with various arts organizations across Toronto helping to create programming, marketing and developing fundraising strategies. She is dedicated to helping promote new voices, create inclusive spaces and tell stories through art.
Teagan has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from Centennial College.
Cai bell--jerome, GALLERY AND PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR
Toronto based artist, Cai Bell-Jerome has been honing their artistry at OCAD for the past 2 years as a mature student. Cai uses many different mediums so their art and its theme is able to be understood and accessible to a diverse audience. Cai uses all different types of paints: oil, water, acrylic and gouache. They also utilize pottery, beading, embroidery and knitting. Using their "jack of all trades" style they are working to help create programming to eventually bring to remote areas like the one they grew up in.
Sara Meechan, Placement Student
Sara is a third-year Social Work student at Toronto Metropolitan University interested in engagement that focuses on creating community through events and programming.
She is currently working in student wellbeing, contributing to the mental wellness curriculum in her post-secondary community; and has a passion for mental health, anti-sexual violence advocacy and youth safety, which she demonstrates as the VP of Corporate Relations. Sara intends to pursue a Masters degree in Social Work to continue working towards engaging communities in safe spaces that prioritize mental wellness and taking up space.
Sophia Chan, Placement Student
Sophia is a current Social Work student at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is a big supporter and enjoyer of the arts. Her favourite mediums include watercolour, film, and music. Her newest hobby is cooking, more specifically baking and trying out new recipes for her friends and family.
She has worked in environments like long-term care homes and elementary schools, working with people of different age groups and backgrounds. With that, she loves meeting new people and hearing the different stories each individual has.
Sophia believes in the importance of art and the power it has to bring communities together, and is excited to join the Next Generation Arts team!
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.
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, CBC, his 3 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.
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/Artist with an almost 40 year career- teaching Visual Arts/ Photography, at the High School, CEGEP/College & University levels. Subjects taught range from Painting/Drawing to Printmaking to Sculpture, as well as Darkroom & 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 1990’s Krystyna served on the Kodak Advisory Council for Secondary Education in Photography. Over the years, she has given numerous Art/ 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 (Ryerson) & Scarborough Arts.
A key portion of Krystyna’s teaching career been with 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, Chair
Dania Ansari, Secretary
Michael Man, Treasurer
Farah Hoosain, Director
Mike Smith, Director
Helen Norva Stratigos, Director
