Member Biographies
Ronald Bourgeois, Chair — Halifax, is an award-winning Acadian singer-songwriter, event manager, writer and television and radio producer with a 35 year career in arts and culture and significant board experience, including President, Nova Scotia Masterworks Awards Foundation.
Jim Morrow, Vice-Chair — Windsor, began his theatre career as a performer with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia in 1978 after finishing his studies at Acadia University. He is currently the company's artistic director and resident designer. His plays have earned numerous awards and his contribution to Nova Scotia’s culture was recognized by his being selected for the Portia White Prize in 2004.
Paula Davis, Secretary — Port Hawkesbury, is the marketing and events manager for the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre and an active grass roots coordinator of arts and culture events. She actively develops and promotes an extensive calendar of performing arts, visual arts and development events while serving as a member of ten local and regional arts and cultural committees.
Chris Ball — Liverpool, is the general manager of the Astor Theatre, the oldest performing arts venue in the province, and also the past chair of the Atlantic Presenters Association. He has over 15 years of professional and volunteer experience in the sector previously serving on the Theatre Nova Scotia Board as well as a board member of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival for 16 years.
Terrilee Bulger — Halifax, is the publisher for The Acorn Press and sales and marketing manager for Nimbus Publishing. She is also a CMA and has served terms on the executive of the board for the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association and the Atlantic Book Awards Society. Terrilee was recognized by the book trade publication the Quill and Quire as one of the top “ones to watch under 35” in Canadian publishing.
Fiona Diamond — Halifax, has been Vice-President with Brookes Diamond Productions since its inception in 1977, overseeing operations and acting as show producer, concert promoter, manager, and marketing director. She founded and produced the Ha!ifax Comedy Fest for 12 years. Fiona is also co-producer of Nova Scotia’s internationally-acclaimed musical spectacular, DRUM! She has served on several boards and is presently vice-president of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, Nova Scotia.
George Klass — Wallace, is a business and management consultant and also a freelance photographer. He has an extensive international background in senior roles in diverse fields from the energy and manufacturing sectors to the fashion industry. He has lived on various continents and managed companies in the wind energy, footwear, giftware, craft and jewellery business. George is also past president of The Northumberland Arts Council.
Marcel McKeough — Halifax, is the Interim Executive Director of the Culture Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. He has extensive experience in Nova Scotia's cultural sector and is former Chair of the East Coast Music Association.
Maria Osende — Halifax, is a dancer, choreographer and dance instructor, as well as the founding Artistic Director of Maria Osende Flamenco Company and Atlantic Flamenco Productions, presenters of Fall For Flamenco, Halifax's International Flamenco Festival. Maria studied ballet and flamenco in her native city, Madrid and at the School for American Ballet in New York (USA) and danced for ten years with the National Ballet of Spain and the Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet in Germany prior to moving to Canada in 2003.
Charlie Rhindress — Halifax, has over 20 years experience as an actor, writer and director in theatre and film. He was recently named Artistic Producer of Eastern Front Theatre, and is the former Associate Artist of Neptune Theatre, the largest regional theatre east of Montreal. Charlie is a founding member and former Artistic Director of Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, NB and is also a member of the Greater Halifax Arts Coalition.
Linda Ross — Lunenburg, is an freelance photographer who specializes in aerial images. She has worked with real estate and project developers and has produced postcards highlighting the beauty of the Nova Scotia coastal life. Her work is on exhibit in many countries and has been featured in several books and publications. Linda is a member of the Nova Scotia Volunteer Community Advisory Council. She has been involved in the Nova Scotia Festival of the Arts, and is past chair of the Community Business Development Corporation in Shelburne County.
Scott Simpson — Halifax, is an award-winning writer, director and producer of film and television. Scott regularly teaches workshops in filmmaking and is a member of the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative. He also runs his own production company, Playmaker Films.
Devon Strang — Sydney, has performed in and promoted music events for the past decade while performing with ECMA winning acts Slowcoaster and the Tom Fun Orchestra. Devon is the Marketing Manager for Celtic Colours International Festival and a managing partner in Cape Breton's Arts, Entertainment and Events website whatsgoinon.ca.
Peggy Tibbo-Cameron — Halifax, is the Senior Policy Advisor of the Culture Division with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. Prior to joining the Culture Division, Peggy was the lead staff member in the Tourism Division during the visioning, development, and implementation of the Tourism Partnership Council. She has more than 20 years of experience in both the private and public sector.
Susan Tooke — Halifax, is both a visual artist and writer with a broad and varied experience within the arts community, including her current role as president of Canadian Artists Representation Maritimes. Susan’s previous experience includes terms on the boards of Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia, and Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.