Aga Khan Museum: Mainstage & Special Events (2019 - 2020)
Role: Performing Arts Manager (curation, production, budget management, artistic planning, fundraising, partnership development)
Responsible for programming and management of all mainstage performing arts presentations at the Aga Khan Museum. Mainstage performances includedconcert hall presentations, film screenings, talks, workshops, gala performances, and site specific productions in gallery spaces. With 50+ mainstage and special event programs a year, Charity also oversaw all financial and administrative management for the department, negotiating contracts and logistics, overseeing all creative production, and supervising public funder, corporate sponsorship and philanthropic initiatives for the department.
The Aga Khan Museum’s mandate is connecting cultures through the arts, and presents performances throughout the museum, including in the in-house auditorium, the galleries, and the public spaces of the museum, including the Aga Khan Park and the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.
Mainstage Presentations
Role: Curation, production, budget management, artistic planning, fundraising, partnership development
Taking place under the graceful dome of the 336-seat, state of the art auditorium, the performing arts program included 50+ theatre performances each year. The curatorial focus was on global musics (broadly defined), with a focus on cross-cultural exchange. Presentations included independent productions, museum-commissioned performances, co-productions and presentations by other non-profit arts presenters. Presentations also included offsite presentation at venues such as Koerner Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, and St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
Highlights include Hamza Akram Qawwali, Baaba Maal, Jeremy Dutcher, Emel Mathlouthi, Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers, Yemen Blues, DakhaBrakha, Gord Grdina’s Quartet, Toko Telo and the annual comedy series, guest curated by Ali Hassan.
Special Events
Role: Curation and creative production
Performing arts programming provided for signature development department events such as the annual Lapis Ball, as well as stewardship programs including exhibition openings, private park events and holiday celebrations.
