Cheryl Hickman named Chair of the Board of the Canada Council for the Arts
The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced the appointment of Cheryl Hickman as the next Board Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts for a five-year term.
OTTAWA, Ont., February 24, 2025—The Canada Council for the Arts welcomes the appointment of Cheryl Hickman as the new Chair of the Board for a five-year term, effective July 28, 2025. Cheryl Hickman currently serves as a Board member and will succeed current Board Chair Jesse Wente when his term ends on July 27, 2025.
“The Council is delighted to welcome Cheryl Hickman as the new Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. As an outstanding champion of the arts and culture, with extensive experience in the arts sector, Cheryl Hickman has provided inspirational leadership. Her stewardship will be invaluable to achieving the Council’s vision of a thriving sector and continued investment in the creative vitality of Canada. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Jesse Wente for his dedication, wisdom and tireless advocacy for artists and cultural workers.”
— Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts
“It has been among the privileges of my life to serve as Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. I am deeply proud of the work we have done together to support artists and arts organizations across this country, especially during challenging times. I firmly believe art and cultural activity are central to the belonging we all seek, and the Council is well positioned to help Canadians understand their country and each other. I am thrilled to congratulate Cheryl Hickman on her appointment as the next Chair. Cheryl, an artist with deep insight into the issues faced by her peers and extensive experience as a Board member, is perfectly positioned to provide strategic oversight for the Council’s future endeavours.”
— Jesse Wente, Current Board Chair, Canada Council for the Arts
Quick facts
- An accomplished soprano, Cheryl Hickman has performed with major opera companies in North America and Europe.
- She was first appointed as a member of the Canada Council for the Arts’ Board for a four-year term in April 2017 and has served as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee since October 2017.
- Cheryl’s dedication to the arts and her community has made her a key figure in the Canadian opera scene. Her leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including being named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs and receiving recognition from Arts NL.
- She is the founder and General and Artistic Director of Opera on the Avalon (OOTA), which she established in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2009. She has been recognized for her innovative programming, including new works that address contemporary issues, and for engaging diverse audiences. Cheryl is dedicated to promoting equity in the arts, creating mentorship opportunities and supporting emerging artists.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheryl led OOTA through innovative digital programming and established an emergency fund for artists. She has also championed equity in opera, founding mentorship programs and mentoring emerging talents.
- In 2024, Cheryl Hickman was awarded the ArtsNL Artist Achievement award, received the Inaugural Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation, and was named to the Atlantic Business Magazine’s Hall of Fame.
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is the national public arts funder in Canada, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The grants, services, initiatives, prizes and payments that are awarded by the Canada Council contribute to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene; these activities support and have a significant impact on communities across Canada, economically, culturally and socially. The Council’s investments foster greater engagement in the arts among audiences from coast to coast to coast and contribute to the international recognition of Canada’s artists and arts organizations.
The Canada Council for the Arts is governed by an 11-member board. It consists of a chair, a vice-chair and nine other members from across Canada. Along with the Director, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Board members are appointed by the Governor in Council.
Media relation contacts
For media requests including interviews, please contact:
Alison Fraser
Director, Communications
Canada Council for the Arts
613-239-3958 | 1-800-263-5588, extension 5151