The Arts Access Fund was established in 2008 to provide opportunities for children, youth, and teens who have the passion but lack the means to develop their artistic talents. Many AAF students are referred by social service organizations, and a significant number come from families that have recently immigrated to Canada.
The AAF offers programs in visual art, drama, music, dance, and filmmaking at more than fifteen high-quality arts training institutions in the City of Toronto. It also offers curriculum-based art programs to high-needs schools within the TDSB.
Lola Rasminsky, CM.
Founder
Lola Rasminsky is a Toronto-based arts educator and advocate. She established the Avenue Road Arts School in 1993, followed in 1995 by the launch of Arts for Children of Toronto (now VIBE Arts), which brings arts experiences to thousands of youth from underserved communities each year. In 1998, she created Beyond the Box™ to bring innovative thinking techniques to corporate teams. In 2008, she established the Arts Access Fund to help alleviate financial barriers to high-quality arts education.
Lola’s achievements have earned her the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Bell Trailblazer Category), membership in the Order of Canada, and recognition as a Local Hero by the Canadian Urban Institute. She continues to advocate for equitable involvement in the arts as a board member of The Writer’s Collective of Canada and the Arts Access Fund. close
Lola’s achievements have earned her the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Bell Trailblazer Category), membership in the Order of Canada, and recognition as a Local Hero by the Canadian Urban Institute. She continues to advocate for equitable involvement in the arts as a board member of The Writer’s Collective of Canada and the Arts Access Fund. close
Ritu Bhardwaj
Executive Director
Ritu Bhardwaj holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) from the University of Toronto. Before joining The Arts Access Fund, she was Publisher of Yonge Street, a weekly online magazine covering innovation, economic growth, and investment in Toronto.
Ritu is passionate about advancing equitable arts education for children, recognizing the transformative power of creative opportunities to foster inclusion, learning, and personal growth. She is also an active community volunteer and enjoys sailing, Nordic skiing, and travelling with her family.\
ritu@artsaccessfund.org close
Ritu is passionate about advancing equitable arts education for children, recognizing the transformative power of creative opportunities to foster inclusion, learning, and personal growth. She is also an active community volunteer and enjoys sailing, Nordic skiing, and travelling with her family.\
ritu@artsaccessfund.org close
Anne Arrell
Chair
Anne Arrell is Chair of the Arts Access Fund and a long-time philanthropist and community leader. Raised in Elmira and a graduate of the University of Guelph, she lives between Toronto and Creemore where the Arrell family operates a working beef farm. Anne serves on the executive committee of the Arrell Family Foundation, sits on her condo board, and has held leadership roles with numerous cultural, health and food-security organizations.
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James Simmonds
Program & Administrative Manager
James Simmonds is a CFA charter holder and has years of experience in the financial industry. James joined our team in October 2018 and continues to help out with administration, impact reports and fundraising initiatives. When he is not at work, James plays guitar and enjoys golf and tennis.
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- Nichole Anderson
- Anne Arrell, Chair
- Eva Czigler
- Cristin Lazier
- Lola Rasminsky, CM, Founder
- Sona Shah
- Leslie Slater, Treasurer
- Fatih Stanley
- Natalie Townsend
- Jeremy Weisstub
Board of Directors
- Steven Campbell
- David Cronenberg, CC OOnt
- Paul Hoffert, CM
- Popsy Johnstone
- David Mirvish, CM OOnt
- Charles Pachter, OC OOnt
- Peter Simon