WHO WE ARE
Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to communities through the use of visual arts, and story telling.
OUR PURPOSE
To enrich individual lives, break
isolation, and strengthen connections within diverse communities through the creation of
distinctive, group art-making projects.
OUR VISION
MAMC envisions a stronger and kinder society by harnessing the power of art to open minds, break down barriers and shift cultural perceptions.
OUR PROCESS
Build Relationships
Intentionally build relationships with different community organizations to identify relevant social concerns.
Design & Implement
Design and implement art based projects that highlight existing conversations in communities.
Provide a Forum
Provide a forum for participants' self expression.
Facilitate
Facilitate the creative process for participants to delve into and explore the emergent conversations in a safe and stimulating environment.
Exhibit
Seek partnerships with cultural and civic organizations to exhibit the resulting work where the wider public becomes part of the dialogue.
Reflect & Honour
Honour the fabric of memory, the thread of imagination and the texture of speculation as participants weave their voices together.
DEDICATED EDUCATORS
Elena Soní
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Elena Soní was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Elena came to Canada in 1980 to pursue a university education and as her country descended into chaos built a new life in Toronto. As a board member of Children's Own Museum (COM) she co-designed its programming.
Vanessa Barnett
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Vanessa Barnett is an artist educator providing dynamic leadership and teaching in the Arts in teacher education, artist residencies in schools and cultural organizations. Vanessa immigrated from South Africa at the height of the Apartheid years and began teaching at the ROM and in Toronto schools.
OUR BOARD
Marjory McDonald
BOARD CHAIR
Marjory McDonald’s background in family business governance, as well as her work in philanthropy has guided her while serving as MAMC's board chair. Marjory was the chair of the family council for Black & McDonald Limited for six years, and has completed the Families in Business Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School. She has held various leadership positions in philanthropic and volunteer contexts.
Vanessa Eckstein
BOARD MEMBER
Known for her passion for taking on initiatives that blend cultural awareness, humanity and a love of art to advance society and business alike, Vanessa’s experiences living and working in Buenos Aires, LA, New York, Mexico City and Toronto have given Blok a unique international perspective that has been recognized and awarded around the world.
Gill Evans
BOARD MEMBER
Gillian Evans is a Toronto-based philanthropist and a founding supporter of Jack.org. Gillian is highly experienced in philanthropy, non-profit and charitable organizations helping them develop professional strategy, governance, human capital and operational capacities with a bias to building and executing fundraising opportunities.
Gillian Graham
BOARD MEMBER
Gillian Graham is a retired arts writer and editor who has worked for The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Canadian Art and other Canadian publications. She has a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University and a Masters in Art History from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
Vivek Sharma
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Vivek is a believer. He believes that the collective strength of humanity can initiate paradigm shifts. Before moving to Canada, Vivek lived on ships for several years working as an engineer.
Pamela Meredith
BOARD MEMBER
With 25 years of experience in the contemporary art world, Pamela Meredith is known for collection-building, curating, and education. A personalized approach and extensive knowledge of the international art world allows Pamela to assist clients in building a collection or finding the perfect artwork to live with.
Robin Farb-Eckler
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Robin has been an arts educator, spearheading the intensive Erin Gilmour arts program at the Bishop Stachan School.
Camara Miller
BOARD MEMBER
Camara spent 10 years working in the Rockies as a journalist and podcast producer. Since moving to Toronto in 2018, she has been lucky to help ambitious organizations communicate the important work they do to tackle the city's biggest issues.
ARTISTS / FACILITATORS
Carissa Campbell
Carissa Campbell is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who graduated from Ryerson's ECS program and is currently a student in the York/Ryerson Bachelor of Education cohort program.
Working in the Regent Park, Cabbagetown, and St. James Town neighborhoods for over 7 years, she is passionate about giving back to communities and educating through the arts.
Denirée Isabel
Denirée Isabel is an artist, poet, educator, and dreamer. Using her textile background to create large scale installation, performance, and participatory/community art. Navigating the sticky terrains of emotionality and presence, she creates spaces, physically and symbolically, that prioritizes sharing and healing. She exhibits regularly in Toronto and Halifax.
MEDIA COLLABORATORS
Erin McDonald
WEBSITE DESIGNER
Erin is a Toronto-based UX and Graphic Designer with a background working within arts and non-profit organizations. She approaches design work with the aim of prioritizing usability while also creating a visually delightful experience.
Anita Chastanet
WEBSITE MANAGER
Anita Chastanet brings together her passion for creativity and numbers as a multidisciplinary consultant serving web and business needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Mount Saint Vincent University, and has developed a strong background in web design and management.
EXPLORE OUR PROJECTS
Site of Encounters
A Collaboration With SREMI, 2022
Contemporary Connections Pt.3
Art Making with Seniors Part 3, 2021
Contemporary Connections Pt.2
Art Making with Seniors Part 2, 2021
Contemporary Connections Pt.1
Art Making With Seniors Part 1, 2021
Artists In Their Kitchen
In The Time of Covid, 2020
With Thread As Ink
with the Textile Museum of Canada, 2020
Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to social issues within communities through the use of visual arts, mixed media and story telling.
Our experienced artist educators are committed to creating a safe and fun space where participants can explore artistic expression while developing self awareness, collaboration skills and original creative thinking. Our focus is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, thereby strengthening community bonds and reducing isolation.
Charitable Number 770955870 RR0001
Instagram @mamccanada
Twitter @MAMCCanada
Facebook @MAMCCanada
Phone Us
647 885 1408
Mailing Address
505 - 150 Balmoral Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4V 1J4
© Making Art Making Change 2020