Biography
Naomi Johnson is a Mohawk Bear clan from Six Nations. Naomi has had several years’ experience prior to her hiring as Artistic Director in 2013. Naomi has a BFA honours – Visual Arts - from York University and a diploma in Cultural Resource Management from the University of Victoria. During her time as Artistic Director Naomi has curated several art exhibitions including the group exhibition Origins and the solo show Kent Monkman. She also programmed the “Tehonkieron:nions” (They are Entertaining) performing arts series. Naomi gathered notable experience as a community artist serving as Lead Artist Facilitator for Arts Access, a three year community arts initiative lead by the AGO. Naomi continued her work as a community artist by serving as Artist in Residence for the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres - YMAQ (Youth Media Art Quilt) project.Prior to her hiring as Artistic Director- Naomi worked at the Woodland Cultural Centre as Artistic Associate assisting in the programming and implementation of Planet IndigenUS 2012. This festival a partnership with Toronto's Harbourfront Centre is the largest multi-disciplinary world indigenous arts festival in the world.
Statement of Intent
After meeting with Suzanne Smoke it became clear her intent is to better understand how the Woodland Cultural Centre operates on an organizational level specifically with its Board of Governors. In regards to arts programming we have discussed programming initiatives, and how these will coincide with our upcoming Planet IndigenUS festival and lead up activities. Given Suzanne’s background in working with youth, facilitating workshops and fashion we discussed programs in which she’d like to be involved.