Programs  /  Level UP!
Level UP!
Partners funded through Level UP! have created resources and templates for our Resource Hub, inspiring a sector-wide shift toward a culture of care.
Level UP! Partners piloted care-centred strategies in the workplace
resources created by Level UP! Partners
artists, arts workers and audience members engaged in 2021-2026
Over 150 Level UP! Partners
Artists, arts organizations, companies, collectives, festivals, galleries, residency programs, productions, and project-based initiatives who have piloted on-site childcare, care policy development, compassion funds, and more!
Level UP! Initiative
In early 2021, a Balancing Act steering committee composed of organizational leaders from across the country was formed to collaborate on creating a tangible framework for caregiver support to benefit both artists and organizations.
In 2021, the Level UP! Initiative launched across the national Performing Arts sector, onboarding 76 partners in theatre, dance, opera, circus and comedy.
Check out the Level UP! Initiative Evaluation Results available in this report, consolidated by Good Roots Consulting and designed by Jihye Design.
Looking to implement your own caregiver-supportive strategies?
Come and explore our Level UP! Partners’ Pilot Projects and Resources.
Level UP! Sector Expansion
In 2024, Level UP! Sector Expansion launched, supporting 79 pilot projects in Music, Visual Arts, and Screen-based Media Industries, alongside our continued work in the Performing Arts sector.
Cynthia Lickers-Sage, Executive Director of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) joined the project as Indigenous Arts Consultant.
Balancing Act engaged Sector Leads and advisory committees for guidance and outreach support.
MOTHRA: Artist-Parent Project
Visual Arts Sector Lead
Women in Film & Television – Toronto
Screen-based Media Sector Lead
Women in Music Canada
Music Sector Lead
Looking to implement your own caregiver-supportive strategies?
Come and explore our Level UP! Partners’ Pilot Projects and Resources.
Level UP!
Sector Leads and Advisory Committees
As Balancing Act expands Level UP! into the disciplines of Visual Arts, Music, and Screen-based Media Industries, we warmly welcome Women in Music Canada, Women in Film & Television – Toronto, and MOTHRA: Artist-Parent Project as partners and Sector Leads, along with their Advisory Committees.
Visual Arts Sector Lead
Sarah Cullen
Sarah Cullen is a visual artist currently living on Mnisiing, in Toronto.
Since the birth of her daughter, the focus of Sarah’s art practice has turned to ways of incorporating, and working alongside, her child(ren)…
Mamie Bell
Visual Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Mamie Bell is an interdisciplinary artist and baker born in Epekwitk living in K’jipuktuk…
Xiao Han
Visual Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Xiao Han is a multidisciplinary artist-curator from Wuhan, China…
Kerri-Lynn Reeves
Visual Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Kerri-Lynn Reeves (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and mother…
Marlene Yuen
Visual Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Marlene Yuen (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works on the unceded…
Music Sector Lead
Robyn Stewart
Winnipeg-based Robyn Stewart has been executive director of Women In Music Canada since 2022, after more than eight years in the same position at Breakout West and Western Canadian Music Alliance. A frequent panelist and keynote speaker,
Jill Barber
Music Sector Advisory Committee
Jill Barber is a three-time Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter…
Desiree Dorion
Music Sector Advisory Committee
Desiree Dorion grew up a mile and a half from the grounds of Dauphin Country Fest…
Margaret McGuffin
Music Sector Advisory Committee
Margaret McGuffin is the CEO of Music Publishers Canada. Margaret’s career has focused on research…
Gabrielle Rubaine
Music Sector Advisory Committee
Gabrielle is an agent of change. As a performing artist who opened for acts like Mos Def…
Screen-based Media Industries Sector Lead
Karen Bruce
Karen leads the team dedicated to the professional development, advancement and celebration of its members in the screen based industry.
Prior to joining WIFT Toronto, Karen was the Director of Membership & Fan Engagement…
Amy Matysio
Level UP! Sector Program Manager – Screen-based Media Industries
Amy Matysio is an award-winning actor, writer, host and creative producer who has captivated audiences for over two decades. She has earned acclaim on stage with renowned companies such as the National Arts Centre, Northern Light Theatre, and Young People’s Theatre (Dora Award)…
Ella Cooper
Screen-based Media Industries Advisory Committee
Ella Cooper is an award winning producer, director, writer, multi-media artist, educator and cultural leader…
Jennifer Chen
Screen-based Media Industries Advisory Committee
Jennifer Chen is Head of Channel Zero (CZ) Studios, producing a slate of scripted series with international partners…
Laura Churchill
Screen-based Media Industries Advisory Committee
Laura Churchill is the Chief Executive Officer and Film Commissioner for PictureNL. With 15 years of experience…
Tracey Deer
Screen-based Media Industries Advisory Committee
Tracey Deer is a Mohawk filmmaker whose two decades of experience includes co-creating, directing, and co-showrunning…
Performing Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Alen Dominguez
Performing Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Alen Dominguez (He/Him) is a Mexican-Canadian theatre artist who trained at the University of…
Jagroop Mehta
Performing Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Jagroop Mehta is a visionary arts leader with over two decades of international arts management…
Olivia C. Davies
Performing Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Olivia C. Davies creates and collaborates across multiple platforms including Contemporary Indigenous…
Johanna Bundon
Performing Arts Sector Advisory Committee
Johanna Bundon is based in Saskatchewan where she has been dedicated to the development of new work…
Funders and Supporters
Level UP! and Level UP! Sector Expansion are projects supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada.
Balancing Act is also supported by strategic funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Level UP! Program Evaluation by Good Roots Consulting, Principal: Meredith Davis
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Level UP! Sector Expansion Program Evaluation by RTK Consulting, Principal: Rebecca Thomas Kahn
We also thank Jeanne LeSage of ​LeSage Arts Management and Amy Balatoni of Amita HR for providing consultation services to our Level UP! Partners.
  
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Balancing Act recognizes our Community Partners for supporting our outreach and community engagement:
   