Meet The Team

Creative . Collaborative . Committed

Meet The Team Behind Manitoba Arts Network

Manitoba Arts Network consists of a team of 6 professionals, often
augmented by interns and volunteers, who support, promote, and advocate for the arts and culture.

Image: Rose-Anne Harder

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Rose-Anne Harder

Rose-Anne is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management Certificate Program, the University of Manitoba’s Theatre program, and is a certified Event Coordinator. As Executive Director of the Manitoba Arts Network, she aims to increase access to the arts in rural and northern Manitoba. Rose-Anne has been Chair of Creative Manitoba and a board director for Artspace. Prior to working at MAN, Rose-Anne had 10 years of experience working at two sector councils the Manitoba tourism education Council and Film Training Manitoba. Before that, she has been a director, stage manager, production manager and scenic artist.
Art is an amazing tool for cultural exchange, education, expression, therapy, connection and interaction.
Carly Zelinsky

Image: Carly Zelinsky

GALLERY COORDINATOR

Carly Zelinsky

Carly Zelinsky is thrilled to step into the role of Gallery Coordinator at 210 Gallery, where she is eager to collaborate with rural artists to create something truly remarkable. With a strong administrative background and a deep enthusiasm for the arts, Carly is passionate about connecting with artists and building together.

Her commitment to public service is evident through her dedicated work in public education and libraries, where she has made a meaningful impact. Carly brings this same dedication to her work at 210 Gallery, ensuring that the space is a vibrant and welcoming place for both artists and the community.

Cheryl Ewing
Image: Nicole Shimonek

VISUAL ART COORDINATOR

Nicole Shimonek

Nicole is MAN’s Visual Arts Coordinator. Outside coordinating touring exhibitions at the ArtsNetwork she is a visual and multi-media artist. Nicole has an MFA from the Chelsea College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London and a BFA Honours degree from the University of Manitoba. She works in the arts professionally; in curated exhibitions, set and audio design, self-initiated projects and as an instructor. She makes art at home in her studio and in national and international residencies.
Cheryl Ewing

Image: Jane Ireland

CONSULTANT

Jane Ireland

Jane has a diverse background in the fields of community development, arts administration, project management and fund development. Her considerable managerial, organizational and administrative experience including art curation, strategic planning, program development, evaluation, grant writing, fundraising, performing arts presentation, event planning, and campaign management. Jane’s super power is the ability to work with diverse groups and provide leadership in a variety of contexts.

Picture of Akshay Vaid

Image: Akshay Vaid

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Akshay Vaid

 Akshay is a marketing professional with eight years of experience in crafting compelling visuals and brand stories. A passionate photographer and designer, he blends creativity with strategic thinking to develop marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. He is dedicated to building community connections through his work in visual storytelling and digital marketing, always eager to explore new ideas and collaborations.

Cheryl Ewing

Image: Cheryl Ewing

PERFORMING ARTS COORDINATOR & MANITOBA SHOWCASE MANAGER

Cheryl Ewing

Throughout her career, Cheryl Ewing has developed creative and innovative solutions for the cultural sector and has helped organizations with strategic planning, event and project management, and administration.

Working with organizations such as Atlantic Presenters Association, Guelph Jazz Festival, Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, CCI – Ontario’s Presenting Network, Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa), Lakeshore Arts (Etobicoke), St. Jamestown Festival (Toronto), Cheryl appreciates the time, energy and commitment invested in the cultural field as well as the challenges that face the sector.

As project manager for a provincial performing arts conference – Ontario Contact and a cutting-edge marketing research project, the Values & Benefits Study, she brings an overall perspective to the assets and resources of the cultural sector.

Cheryl brings strong facilitation skills, passion, an ability to engage others in my sessions, whether training or planning, and an intense interest in communicating the value of the arts in our communities.

“I will guide your organization and your stakeholders through an approach that develops effective and creative solutions. Working together, we will create a plan that stimulates participants to a quick implementation of the plan creating confidence in your organization and its future”.

Image: Rhonda Head

INDIGENOUS TOURING COORDINATOR

Rhonda Head

Thirteen-time international award-winning Mezzo-Soprano vocalist, Rhonda Head is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. Rhonda recently won a 2022 LIT Talent award for her single 500 Years for Best Social Impact Song and for Kisahkihitin I Love You for Best Collaboration. She also won a 2022 One World Music Award for her single 500 Years and a Global Music award for Coming Home for Best Protest Song. She is the official recipient of the Global Music Awards for a pair of her most celebrated songs. Judged by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning artists, Head’s impactful anthem, 500 Years, received a Bronze Medal in the Protest Music category. The lyrics share her emotional journey, moving through the pain of being an intergenerational Residential School Survivor.
“500 years of pain – song shows our incredible resilience and how we are finally coming together, all of humanity, to love and to be kind to one another, despite our differences and our past.”