January 10, 2011

New Executive Director at ArtStarts

The Board of Directors at ArtStarts is pleased to announce the appointment of Navida Nuraney as its new Executive Director as of January 10, 2011. She succeeds Wendy Newman, the organization''s founder, who has served for the last 15 years.

Navida is an MBA graduate from the Sauder School of Business at UBC (2010) and brings a diverse skillset to the organization with a fusion of both the art and business genes, broad worldview and interest in leveraging technology to engage new audiences.
 
Her recent years with the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art demonstrated her imagination, vision and leadership in the not-for-profit arts sector. Her experience working with this public gallery in downtown Vancouver is a great asset to further activate ArtStarts' own public gallery space at 808 Richards Street.
 
Born and raised in Vancouver, Navida fosters connections with diverse communities. She has travelled extensively and is an active member of the Ismaili community where she works with youth on initiatives that fuse art and education.
 
Navida shares a common vision with ArtStarts and recognizes how the arts encourage young people to think critically, express themselves creatively, and respect differing opinions. Her leadership will work to ensure that young people experience the arts on many levels and understand the richness and variety of artistic discipline and cultural diversity in the Province.

About ArtStarts

Founded in 1996 with a professional staff and volunteer board of directors, ArtStarts in Schools is a unique not-for-profit organization offering educators, artists, parents and students a broad range of programs, services and resources to promote arts and creativity among BC's young people.