Culture & Arts

Cindy Kaizer has a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in educational psychology and counseling from McGill University. She is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation and is a registered professional member with Therapeutic Recreation of Ontario. Her work experience includes over 33 years working at Baycrest as a therapeutic recreationist in the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, Adult Day Centre Program and within the Culture and Arts Department. She was also an instructor for McGill University’s Continuing Education Department and a research assistant for McGill University’s Giftedness Centre. She was part of a Baycrest team which researched and published a guide for compiling life history resources for older adults in institutions, and another research team exploring the use of higher education classrooms for seniors.

Janet Jackson has a degree in Recreation and Leisure from Conestoga College. Her work experience includes 10 years as a recreationist in retirement and long-term care with a special focus on memory care. Janet is a registered professional member with Therapeutic Recreation of Ontario. Her interests include increasing stimulation through recreation activities, specifically looking at how activity can enhance quality of life and improve health. Janet enjoys facilitating best-practices to engage clients through the use of therapeutic programs.

Anne Max received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1985. She has worked at Baycrest since 1998 in many different in- and outpatient programs. Since 2006, Anne has been able to devote much of her time running a program for Holocaust survivors as well as providing support to the survivors and their families.

Anne visits survivors at Baycrest in the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, Terraces and hospital. She provides support to survivors and their families via regular phone calls and virtual counseling as well as providing information on appropriate community resources as their needs and situations change. This support became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic as many survivors became more isolated and for some this brought up memories of their wartime experiences and trauma.

Anne also organizes the Cafe Europa Program, which provides a bi-monthly social gathering for Holocaust survivors at Baycrest, and child survivors in the community. Once per month, Baycrest runs a group for second generation survivors, which is now offered on Zoom, making attendance and participation open to more people.

Sara Naimpour is a visual artist, media producer and museum professional. She earned an MFA in documentary media from the School of Image Arts (Toronto Metropolitan University). Sara received her BFA in photography from the University of Tehran and holds a BDes in industrial design from Art & Architecture University in Tehran, Iran. Sara aims to bring her creative interests, passion for community building and expertise in the arts to the healthcare environment. As part of the Department of Culture & Arts at Baycrest, Sara works as the media production and content management specialist, where she supports her team with the production and delivery of digital programs and live events.

Chrissy Pearson is a certified music therapist, registered psychotherapist and fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery. She has worked in various settings including long-term care, palliative care, acute care, group homes and inpatient and community mental health. She currently works part-time at Baycrest, is the executive director of the Canadian Music Therapy Fund and runs a small private practice. Chrissy started her music therapy career at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she provided music therapy in an acute care setting. Chrissy is an active clinical supervisor and has received teaching and supervision awards from both Sunnybrook and Baycrest. She has presented at numerous conferences and published articles and chapters. Advocating for music therapy and providing presentations and consultations about the benefits of music therapy is an important part of her work.

Meghan Richardson has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from OCADU. She has been invested and active in the arts industry for over 20 years as a gallery director, photographer, arts project coordinator, art consultant, art installer and owner and founder of Richardson Art Projects (RAP).

As Baycrest’s arts project coordinator, Meghan transforms the Ronald & Nancy Kalifer Culture Hub with rotating exhibitions and creates virtual client art programming throughout the year. The space is utilized and designed with an art gallery-like focus, making this lounge area a desired destination to view these exhibits, pique curiosity and conversations, and stimulate interest in and awareness of the Culture & Arts Department of Baycrest. Meghan also manages and oversees the extensive and renowned Baycrest Art Collection and associated installations across campus.

Susie Whaley is a practicing multi-disciplinary artist and arts educator who joined Baycrest as a creative arts worker in 2021. Susie attended Rhode Island School of Design and the Galasso School of Design. She has worked in arts education for over 20 years, facilitating art making programs for a variety of participants, including those who are deaf and hard of hearing. In addition to teaching at the Avenue Road Arts School and Haliburton School of Art and Design, Susie was the community program manager with VIBE Arts, a non-profit organization, annually providing free arts education to 8,000 participants from vulnerable communities across the GTA. Susie is excited to be a part of the Culture & Arts team and provide meaningful, stimulating and accessible arts programming to the older adults at Baycrest.

Jessica Winter is the coordinator of the Morris and Sally Justein Heritage Museum at Baycrest. She is a graduate of the Master of Museum Studies program at the University of Leicester, and has years of experience in culture and arts organizations. Her work at Baycrest involves the design and development of programs to inspire cultural education and engagement, as well as the coordination of the museum’s extensive collection of historic Jewish artifacts. She also delivers outreach programs within the Baycrest community, including the Museum on Wheels program and various others, for innovative education connections. She is dedicated to providing opportunities for lifelong learning through dynamic cultural experiences.