Who we are
The Quinte Arts Council (est. 1967) is the community leader in advancing, cultivating, promoting and advocating for a vibrant and diverse arts community of the Quinte region, while supporting the new generation of artists, offering quality experiences and arts education. The Quinte Arts Council is a registered charitable umbrella organization (#107869448RR0001).
Janet Jarrell (she/her) is a dynamic arts administrator and seasoned educator with a rich background in various facets of the arts and business. Serving as the Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) since 2018, Janet brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, not-for-profit finance, and marketing to her role.
Beyond her administrative expertise, Janet is a published author with contributions spanning books, magazines, and poetry. Her extensive experience as an editor-in-chief enhances the success of the QAC’s notable Umbrella publication, a cornerstone program for the organization.
With over fifteen years dedicated to profiling local artists, crafting historical narratives, and fostering enduring relationships within the artistic, cultural, and heritage communities, Janet has established a strong network. This network proves instrumental in securing partnerships, sponsorships, and fostering community-building initiatives for the QAC.
Janet assumes the role of Co-Chair for the Alliance of Arts Councils of Ontario, where she actively cultivates a platform for resource sharing, partnerships, and collaborative efforts with Arts Service Organizations across the province.
In addition to her role at QAC, Janet serves as a community partner with the City of Belleville Economic and Destination Development Committee. Her commitment extends to academia, where she contributes as a part-time Professor at Loyalist College. Additionally, Janet has demonstrated her dedication to community growth through a five-year tenure as Chair of Options for Social Growth.
Janet is unwavering in her commitment to advancing the strategic vision of the Quinte Arts Council and ensuring that the arts remain a vital and thriving presence in the community. Her multifaceted contributions to education, community engagement, and arts advocacy underscore her dedication to the cultural vibrancy of the region.
Contact Janet: janet@quinteartscouncil.org
Kodie Trahan-Guay (she/her) is passionate about the arts. She is a recent graduate from York University with a degree in Communication Studies. She has also completed studies in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations, from Loyalist College. She grew up in the Quinte Region attending plays and music festivals before becoming an active member of the art scene herself. She has been in numerous plays at the Belleville Theatre Guild. Her role in the Guild’s production of “Marion Bridge” earned her a nomination for Best Actress by the Eastern Ontario Drama League.
Kodie has always loved the art of filmmaking and creating and spent a lot of time when she was in school teaming up with friends to make a stop motion version of Moulin Rouge using dolls and puppets that has sadly been lost to time. Now Kodie spends her free time writing, doing voice over work, acting and making content for social media.
Kodie’s work experience includes Communications and Marketing Coordinator, helping to promote the art scene in Prince Edward County, where she lives. Kodie has also worked as a reporter for a newspaper and magazine. She has helped to run many workshops and fundraisers. Kodie is excited to be a part of the QAC team to help promote the vibrant art scene across the entire Quinte Region.
Contact Kodie at: kodie@quinteartscouncil.org
Kim Lidstone has been a member of the Quinte Arts Council since 2010!
Drew (he/him) is a graphic designer and documentary filmmaker with a degree in Film Studies and a diploma in Digital Production. He is also the Box Office Manager of the Empire Theatre and the Technical Producer of the true crime podcast, Citizen Detective.
The Quinte Arts Council (QAC) is committed to ensuring that the arts are accessible to everyone, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and access for all. The arts belong to everyone, of all ages and stages, abilities, race, sexual orientation and gender, and our goal is to ensure diverse perspectives are represented and experienced through art.
Arts and culture play an important role in defining who we are as a community and contributes to a healthy local economy and lifestyle for those who live and work in the area. Our programs continue to adapt, change and evolve in response to the needs of our members and our community.
Quinte Arts Council is located on the territory of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, and the Haudenosaunee people, connected to and neighbours with the Kanien’keha:ka community of Tyendinaga.
The QAC is committed to reconciliation. Reconciliation is an ongoing process rooted in action, for us as individuals, as colleagues and peers, and as a leader in the community. It’s setting aside time on an ongoing basis, to listen, learn, reflect, support, and use our position and privilege to act.
Diversity & Inclusion
An inclusive and equitable culture of diversity is at the core of our mandate at the QAC. Our authentic commitment to these values is unwavering – they are central to our mission and to our impact across all disciplines of the arts. We know that having varied perspectives helps cultivate creative ideas, and inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity and creativity.
Art: Pride by Daniel Fobert
We promote an inclusive cultural climate that reflects, respects and celebrates diversity. We create awareness and a shared sense of responsibility among the arts community to promote a learning and working culture that values equity, diversity and inclusion.
While we use the acronym LGBTQ2s+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, Plus) to refer to our community, we recognize there are many more gender and sexual identifiers that are outside of the heterosexual, cisgender norm.
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