Post-Mortem Survey for Making Art Work 2020-21
Thank you for participating in the Making Art Work professional development workshop series co-presented by Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, Union Gallery, and Agnes Etherington Art Centre. We are looking for feedback from participants of the program to inform future professional development programs. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Your answers will be anonymous. Thank you for your time!
Meet Our Team
Maddi Andrews (she/her)
Executive Director
Maddi Andrews is an Artist and Art Educator based in Katarokwi-Kingston. She is currently employed as the Executive Director of Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre, where she seeks to create opportunities for community exchange, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and collective wellness. Maddi completed her Master’s in Art History at Queen’s University in 2021, and previously received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History and a Certificate of International Studies from Queen’s University in 2019.
Oyíndàmólá Áláká (she/her)
Programming Coordinator
Oyíndàmólá Áláká is an Arts and Culture consultant, storyteller and community leader. Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Oyíndàmólá's diverse background informs her work in gender advocacy and community engagement. With a Bachelor's degree in Women's and Gender Studies and currently pursuing a Master's in Cultural Studies, she is a passionate gender equality expert committed to human rights.
2024-2025
Board of Directors
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Elaine Chan-Dow (she/her)
Chair
Elaine Chan-Dow is a Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist and researcher. Her current work explores the intersection of cultural studies, botany, and art. Holding degrees in Urban Geography, Image Arts, and a Master of Fine Art, Chan-Dow's previous work, supported by an SSHRC grant, delved into the connection between objects and remembered history, particularly within the context of cognitive impairments. Her current research and artistic journey focuses on the intricate interplay between art, humanity, and the natural world, conveying a powerful message of biodiversity preservation and environmental sustainability. Her artwork is in institutions and private collections, including a recent installation at Butterfield Park, OCAD University. Chan-Dow's influence extends to her role as an educator within the Faculty of Arts at OCAD University. As she continues to shape the art world, she's concurrently pursuing a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies at Queen's University. She hopes to bring this wealth of knowledge and experience to her Co-Chair and Programming Chair positions at Modern Fuel.
Grace Dixon (she/her)
Secretary
Grace Dixon is an illustrator, graphic designer and musician with a specific fondness for experimental sound design and artistic collaboration. She has most recently been involved in co-writing an instrumental score for a Toronto-based documentary and finds tremendous beauty and power in pairing sound with visuals. Her visual art practice often includes digital illustrations or textured collage work alongside themes of deconstructing/rediscovering spirituality and leaving space for growth. Grace is honoured to be a part of the Modern Fuel Board and is looking forward to opportunities to contribute to, listen to and support this community.
Baraa Abuzayed (she/her)
Board Director
Baraa Abuzayed is a Ph.D. student in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University. Through her artistic practice, she incorporates mixed media installation using textiles and film, where she explores themes of family, home, belongingness, identity, and storytelling. In the past, Baraa has served on several boards in the NGO sector. At Modern Fuel, Baraa hopes to help in the continued support of emerging artists and building community connections!
Francisco Corbett (he/him)
Board Director
Francisco Corbett is a Guatemalan-born painter, performance artist and founder of art collective, FORWORLD. His practice focuses on building community and empowering young people. Corbett has been practicing professionally for fewer than 5 years but promises a relentless effort of creation to viewers and fans of his artwork.
Mehvish Rather (she/her)
Board Director
Mehvish Rather is pursuing research in the field of documentary filmmaking. Being a documentary filmmaker herself, with her films being showcased in different film festivals across the globe, she continues to question the methodology and ethics in her field. Her particular interest concerns with the representation of subjects in documentaries based in protracted political conflict zones, trying to envision them beyond the scope of victimhood. She questions the patterns of absences within such documentaries, such as that of humour and transcendentality.
Ron Abreu (he/him)
Board Director
Ron Abreu is a talented digital artist and a passionate supporter of the arts. He is the founder of Ron Abreu Digital Arts, a web of social media platforms where he showcases his abstract, dynamic and emotionally invigorating work. He uses various software and techniques to create stunning images that reflect his vision and creativity. He is excited to join the Board of Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. He hopes to share his expertise and enthusiasm with Modern Fuel and help them promote and support emerging and established artists.
Aanchal Juneja (she/her)
Board Director
Aanchal Juneja is a multifaceted creative professional, with experience in social media marketing, copywriting, and brand strategy. Fascinated with the intricacies of the creative process, her passion manifests across art, literature, and the internet. Her interest extends to the digital domain, manifesting in the interplay of visuals, typography, and design. Aanchal has completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Delhi, and Masters in Communications from the Delhi School of Communication before continuing studies in Digital Marketing from St. Lawrence in 2024.
About our Board and Committees
Modern Fuel is a member-driven organization that consists of a General Assembly, comprised of all members in good standing, and a working, hands-on Board of Directors. As an artist-run at its core, the majority of Modern Fuel’s board must self-identify as artists. The role of the Board of Directors is to provide stewardship, direction, and support to the organization in accordance with Modern Fuel’s vision, mandate, and values. The Board of Directors is elected by our membership at our Annual General Meeting. When necessary, additional Board Directors are recruited throughout the year, and join the Board in interim positions until they can be legally elected at the next AGM.
Our Board of Directors is a working board, in every sense of the way. Along with governance matters of ensuring by-laws and budgets are respected, they all play an active role in Modern Fuel’s programming, operations, and fundraising efforts. Directors dedicate 5 - 10 hours of work per month attending meetings, self-guided work, assisting staff, and other tasks as needed. Some committees may be further filled with community member volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved as a Board Director, feel free to contact us at mfarcbodpres@modernfuel.org.
The Programming Committee is in charge of selecting exhibitions from the call for submissions and other artistic opportunities that may arise. They also help in developing and implementing our additional programs such as residencies and roundtables.
The Development Committee is in charge of identifying potential grants and foundations, assisting with grant writing, and planning our major fundraising activities for the year. They are further tasked with reaching out to the broader Kingston community and volunteer recruitment.
The New Media Workspace and Library Committee maintains the proper organization of these two resources, writes grants specifically for the acquisition of new media equipment and text-based resources, and produces specific workshops to activate these resources and make them available to the community.
The Finance Committee is chaired by our Treasurer and supervises the financial well-being of the organization. They assist the Executive Director with financial reporting and audit preparation.
The Human Resources Committee is responsible for hiring major positions, ensuring the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of staff and interns through policies, and check-ins, and assisting with conflict resolution should the need arise. Our Nominations Committee is an ad-hoc committee of the Human Resources Committee. They meet with potential board members to make sure that they fully understand the commitment that is required.
The Executive Committee is comprised of the Co-Chairs, the Secretary and the Treasurer. They help supervise the progress of all committees, assist the Executive Director with long term strategic planning, and draft important policies.