Tribute Co-Chairs Salah Bachir and Nancy Lockhart, Honorary Co-Chairs Eric Tripp and Maria Smith, Sandra and Jim Pitblado, and a distinguished Committee, announce the naming of Crow’s Theatre’s new studio, The Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery in her honour.

“Nada is beloved by her colleagues and friends,” says Co-Chair Nancy Lockhart. “I, along with our Co-Chairs and Committee, wanted to celebrate the impact she has made over her career, especially at a time when the arts needs champions like her.”

Nada Ristich has spent her career making an indelible mark on the arts in Canada.

In her role as Head, Community Giving at BMO, and as a lifelong champion of the arts, she has spent 25 years working to build a thriving and sustainable arts ecosystem across the country. Her commitment to excellence, her love for the arts and her leadership within the bank and beyond, has made her a hero for the arts community in Canada.

Nancy Lockhart continues, “Behind the scenes Nada has been a powerful force. Her actions and support have inspired many to dream bigger, blaze unimaginable trails and push their stories and form to the forefront. She’s a bold and creative thinker who has confidently and consistently made BMO a philanthropic leader in the arts.”

Nada Ristich is a proud graduate of Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Her passion for the theatre, dance, opera, ballet, music and visual arts knows no bounds. Nada has served on numerous arts boards including the Necessary Angel Theatre Company, The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and MOCA. Outside of her work in the arts community, she is also a past Board Member at Dignitas, a long-time volunteer with The Loran Scholar Foundation, and is a passionate supporter of HIV/AIDS research with CANFAR. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for Voluntary Service. Under her leadership BMO has been recognized by many awards, both in Canada and the U.S. It is the first corporation to receive the Royal Conservatory of Music 2019 Honorary Fellows award. BMO has been honoured by many other prestigious awards: the Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award for Most Effective Corporate Program; the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for Best Corporate Program; and the Outstanding Corporation Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Toronto Chapter. Nada has played a pivotal role in each of these endeavours.

“Nada is beloved because her dedication to the communities she serves goes well beyond the call of duty” says Co-Chair Nancy Lockhart. “Her door has always been open to artists, and arts leaders, for guidance and advice. She has served on countless selection committees and advisory councils, and has always spoken eloquently about the value of the arts to society. Nada has helped so many arts organizations dream bigger than they thought possible.”

Alongside the naming of the Crow’s new studio-gallery, the Tribute Campaign will raise $1 million dollars to support the renovation of its newly acquired studio space and its programming. The Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery at 1210 Dundas Street East will be home to intimate performances, readings, rehearsals, exhibitions, digital creation, and community programs.

“Without Nada’s early support, there would be no home for Crow’s Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest,” says Chris Abraham, Artistic Director of Crow’s Theatre. “The truth is, she has played a pivotal role for countless arts organizations from coast to coast. We want to celebrate Nada’s enormous contribution to the arts by putting her name on a space where artists will meet each other to create, develop, and invent new work for the stage and beyond. I’m thrilled thousands of people will walk, bike, and drive by the space on a daily basis and see Nada’s name in lights.”

An evening to celebrate Nada Ristich will take place on June 27th, 8p.m. and will feature performances by Molly Johnson, John Alcorn and Louise Pitre.

To donate and attend the virtual tribute, click HERE.

Illustration: Artist’s rendering of the Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery.