(ON LEAVE) Kamana Ntibarikure (she/her/hers)

• Kamana is a Burundian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist living on the unceded stolen lands of the Stz'uminus & Coast Salish Peoples. Kamana's artistic practice coincides with social justice principles.
• As the Communications & Development Manager of ArtStarts, Kamana manages the communications and supports the development aspects of the organization, and she is committed to being an active part of ArtStarts mission of decolonizing our current knowledge systems within an inclusive anti-oppressive framework.

Dana Lopez ( she/her/hers)

• Ask me about: Block booking, Artist Directory, and school performance/workshop bookings.
• Dana (She/her) is a Colombian migrant living in the unceded, ancestral and traditional territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is an Industrial Designer and has a Diploma in Business Communications. Dana has acknowledged the arts as a tool for education. She is an animal lover and enjoys simple pleasures as food, nature and sports.
• As a part of her anti-oppression principles, Dana has the vision that everyone deserves to be heard and valued and she practices that in her personal and work life. Working at ArtStarts has significantly helped her to continue her learning journey on Equity.
• As a Program Coordinator, Dana provides support to the Program Manager in the Booking & Touring Department. She is responsible for all stages of the booking process of artist performances and workshop activities in schools throughout BC.

Peisen Ding (he/him/his)

• Ask me about: Artists in residence (Surrey and Kootenay Lake), weekend family programming, and touring exhibitions.
• Peisen is a Chinese immigrant and queer artist living on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.
• Equity has always occupied an important role in Peisen's work. For example, his art practice mainly focuses on exploring queer identity and social issues through his lived experience as a gay immigrant. He believes it is meaningful to deliver love, care, and courage to people who are also immigrants to Canada, and/or from the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Moreover, working at ArtStarts has significantly helped him to continue his learning journey of equity and anti-oppression.
• As a Program Coordinator, Peisen works with the Public Program Manager and Gallery Coordinator to support and develop in-person and online workshops, exhibitions, events, and resources for artists, teachers, and local communities.
• Apart from being an artist, Peisen also worked as an art teacher at several schools and communities in the past. He is honoured to work at ArtStarts because it not only enables him to encounter diverse forms of art and meet different artists, but also offers him opportunities to facilitate workshops and work on educational programs and resources.

Izzy Data (she/her/hers)

• Ask me about: Grants
• Izzy is a Chilean-Polish settler residing as an uninvited guest on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She holds a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, majoring in Visual Arts and minoring in Curatorial Practices. Izzy is an animal lover, a creative being, and loves to explore cultures through food and music. 
• Izzy has had the privilege to learn and work alongside mentors and peers that have allowed her to further recognize, understand and actively attempt to unlearn the systems of colonialism that are built into the structures of her communities and own life. She has prioritized learning, listening, and applying knowledge that stems from anti-oppression framework to both her professional and personal experiences. She advocates for all individuals that have been marginalized by the systems of colonialism and advocates for accessibility to housing, community, creative liberty, education, and inclusive safe spaces for all. 
• As a Program Coordinator, Izzy provides support to the Program Manager of Grants. Izzy mainly focuses on daily facilitations of the grants program, but also participates in assessment meetings and keeps note of community feedback to contribute to the continuous growth and development of our grants program to make sure artists and schools needs are reflected in our processes.
• Izzy is grateful for the experience to be a part of the ArtStarts team and continues to practice ways that she can actively serve her communities through her position. ArtStarts aligns with Izzy's values to make art and creative experiences accessible to all young learners and give opportunities to young art practicioners.

Jules André-Brown (he/him/his)

• Jules is a father, musician, and scholar passionate about equity. Jules serves as ArtStarts interim executive director.
• Jules' past experience includes working as a leadership and governance consultant. He has served on many arts and culture organizations like the Space Blanket Society, CiTR radio and Discorder magazine. In addition, Jules has worked in social services and in the advocacy for people with disabilities..

Alice Kim (She/Her)