The New Brunswick Arts Board is an arm’s length arts funding agency with a legislated mandate to facilitate and promote the creation of art as well as administering funding programs for professional artists in the province.
Jean-Pierre Caissie has been a cultural worker and artist in Moncton, Ottawa, and Montreal. He has worked in theatre and film festivals, has managed a music band, has been a photographer, editor, DJ, director of a filmmakers’ association, and artistic coordinator of an artist-run center. Over the years, he has been involved on the boards of arts organizations and has served on the editorial boards of literary journals. At the time of his appointment as Executive Director of artsnb, Jean-Pierre was Assistant Director of the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB). You can contact him at direct[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Cheryl Lavigne is of French descent, born and raised in Bathurst, and settled in Fredericton when she began her teaching career in 2011. Before joining artsnb as part-time Administrative Assistant, Cheryl served as French language teacher and Arts educator through the public school system and private instruction. Cheryl studied Fine Arts at Algoma University in Ontario, Education at UNB, and is a graduate from NBCCD’s Advanced Studio Practice Diploma program. You can reach Cheryl at 506.444.4444 and info[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Tilly Jackson (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English Literature and minors in both Chemistry and Drama from the University of New Brunswick. She is an arts administrator, an occasional writer, a self-professed bibliophile, an enthusiastic crafter, and a theatre artist. Tilly has worked with many New Brunswick theatre companies over the last twelve years, as a director, actor, improviser, and playwright. Outside of her work as a Program Officer at artsnb, she can usually be found reading fantasy novels and joyfully making art. You can contact her by email prog[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Rebecca Salazar (she/they) is a queer second-generation immigrant currently living as a guest on the territory of the Wolastoq people. She holds a BA in English Literature from Laurentian University as well as an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from the University of New Brunswick. The author of sulphurtongue (McClelland & Stewart), the knife you need to justify the wound (Rahila’s Ghost) and Guzzle (Anstruther), Rebecca has also published poetry and non-fiction in periodicals across Turtle Island. In their spare time, they co-host the Elm & Ampersand poetry podcast and tend to a growing ecosystem of houseplants. You can reach Rebecca by email at prog[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Dominique (they/them) is a queer, trans and Acadian cultural worker with a BFA in Film Studies from Concordia University. Outside their work at artsnb, Dominique is involved in numerous festivals and arts organizations in the Moncton region. When they’re not working, Dominique can be found comfortably on their couch with a book or watching a Japanese film from the 60s. They also love spending time outdoors (especially in the Bay of Fundy). They currently live on unceded Wolastoqiyik and Mi’kmaq territory (Moncton) with their dog Tulipe. You can reach Dominique by email at prog[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Originally from Montréal, Audrée has called Fredericton her home since she moved to NB in 2009. Before joining the team at artsnb, she worked as a communications officer for NB Sports Hall of Fame and as jewellery and visual arts instructor. She has taught for the District Scolaire Francophone Sud, the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Audrée is a professional jeweller and metalsmith whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts with Honours from the University of New Brunswick, and a Diploma in Fine Craft with Honours from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. You can contact her at (506) 259-9776 or by email comm[at]artsnb[dot]ca .
Emilio Q. Bonnell is a Mi’kmaq singer-songwriter from Esgenoôpetitj First Nation. Beyond his professional experience working with Indigenous youth in communities, Emilio is a dedicated guitarist. Having embarked on his own musical endeavors as a songwriter in 2017, he released an EP titled The Night which then landed him on multiple festival stages within New Brunswick. Then in 2019, Emilio completed his debut full length LP titled Wonder which led him to being nominated for Indigenous Artist of the Year at Music NB Awards in 2021. Emilio also plays for The Hello Crows, an up-and-coming band made entirely of Wabanaki songwriters and storytellers. You can reach Emilio by email at emilio[at]artsnb[dot]ca.
Natasha Sacobie is a Wolastoqiyik visual artist from Bilijk. Playing a key role in fostering connections within First Nation communities over the years as a traditional land use co-researcher for Wolastoqey communities, Natasha also works in communications and outreach for Natoaganeg First Nation. Currently working in Mi’kma’ki, where her art studio is based, Natasha’s practice weaves traditional and contemporary Indigenous art forms, with a strong focus on birch bark and quillwork. A graduate of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, Natasha recently completed the Advanced Studio Practice program. Her work appears in both public and private collections, with exhibitions at national and international venues. In 2023, Natasha received Craft Alliance Atlantic’s Heather Stone Emerging Artist Award. You can reach Natasha by email at natasha[at]artsnb[dot]ca.