BRAMPTON, ON (September 9, 2021) – The City of Brampton’s Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA) is excited to announce the founding advisory panel members who will help guide the growth and development of the agency and their mission of advancing, connecting and advocating for Brampton’s arts and culture sector.
A significant milestone for the organization, the inaugural panel is comprised of local artists and creators, business professionals and change makers who will be true champions for Brampton’s artists. The six members will join Nuvi Sidhu, Inaugural Chair; Regional Councillor Rowena Santos; and Michael Vickers, Senior Program Lead; in continuing ACCIDA’s development and building on its strong start, collectively supporting Brampton’s art community, its growth, support and future prosperity.
The call for panel members took place earlier this summer. Applications were reviewed and selected by a committee comprised of Council representative Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, City staff and Panel Chair.
ACCIDA is a unique organization incubating under the City of Brampton focused on growing, celebrating, advocating for and connecting the sector through a variety of programs, services and resources that it has already begun to offer throughout 2021. This includes workshops, artist roundtables, exhibition opportunities and mentorship programs. Ongoing feedback from the arts community will help guide programming and support services, including addressing the need for creative space across the city.
The Agency will work alongside the City to deliver Brampton’s Culture Master Plan, which is a critical link in building a vibrant arts scene and creative economy. Ongoing feedback to the advisory panel from the arts community will help guide programming and support services, which includes addressing the need for creative space across the city.
ACCIDA Inaugural Advisory Panel Members
Harman Grewal
Harman is a creative change-maker with an unwavering commitment to championing communities around arts, culture and innovation. He co-founded Brampton's first co-working space and community incubator for the next generation of creative entrepreneurs, Lab B, understanding the challenges that emerging visual entrepreneurs face and the value of having a community of artists around you. Harman continuously strives to develop his own art practice, focusing on strengthening his technical skills, creating opportunities for career sustainability, and furthering his journey of exploration.
Michael Halls
Passionate about the arts, Michael has served on the Peel Choral Society and the Brampton Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Brampton Arts Council Board of Directors where he was president for 14 years. For his lifetime of public service, Michael received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. His passion is music and he has been a choral singer for 48 years.
Sumit Judge
Writer, Director, Actor and Lawyer, Sumit is a multi-disciplinary artist. He currently writes, produces and participates in the People of the Community (POC) YouTube channel, addressing pertinent issues within the South Asian community like mental health, intergenerational trauma and Human Rights abuses through an informal, relatable and at times comedic lens. His first short film Vishal, dealt with the plight of the south Asian international student in Canada and was screened on Air Canada flights, Zee TV USA and at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Vijai Kumar
A public policy researcher who has held research positions with the Indigenomics Institute, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He has a passion for local economic development and community wealth building. Vijai advocated for Brampton artists during the development of the Brampton 2040 Vision and the Culture Master Plan, and curates and hosts shows with the City of Brampton.
Jael Richardson
A book columnist for the CBC, author of The Stone Thrower, and founder and Executive Director for the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Brampton. Her debut novel, Gutter Child became an instant bestseller in January 2021 with HarperCollins Canada and was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award. Richardson holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph.
Jaspreet Sandhu
As the current Vice President of Development at The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, Jaspreet is passionate about building communities for high-impact not-for-profits, a change agent who applies creative thinking using a unique balance of business, marketing and leadership acumen. Jaspreet has successfully led teams to tackle complex projects that require radical process and organizational culture changes. She holds a Masters in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory BFA, BA in Film Production and South Asian Studies.
Quotes
“It’s exciting to see the ACCIDA panel members announced to further the work being done in Brampton’s growing arts sector. Our team has done an exceptional job connecting with the arts community this year through the numerous programs and initiatives the agency has introduced. I have confidence that these new members will bring their extensive local knowledge and professional expertise to the role and really help our artists thrive.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Announcing ACCIDA’s panel is another great step towards providing the vital support and resources our arts community needs. It’s great to see a panel comprised of diverse backgrounds and experiences that will be sure to strengthen the agency’s knowledge and network.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Vice-Chair, Corporate Services, City of Brampton; Council Panel Member, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency
“Brampton’s Arts, Culture and Creative industry is an integral part of our city’s vibrant Mosaic and it is a fantastic milestone to see the panel announced. Since its inception, ACCIDA has made great strides in connecting and supporting the arts community. These new members will bring their extensive backgrounds to help drive a stronger, more connected creative arts sector in Brampton.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
"After an amazing interview process over the summer, we’re happy to announce a talented group of artists and professionals who will be joining the Advisory Panel for the Arts, Culture and Creative Industry Development Agency. I’m excited to get to work with the new Advisory Panel to set up ACCIDA and help artists across Brampton have their voices heard."
- Nuvi Sidhu, Chair, Arts, Culture & Creative Industry Development Agency (ACCIDA)
-30-
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on
Twitter,
Facebook, and
Instagram. Learn more at
www.brampton.ca.
