Today, Crow’s Theatre officially opened the Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery at 1210 Dundas Street East, named in honour of the beloved arts champion. The Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery will be home to rehearsals, intimate performances, readings, exhibitions, digital creation, and community programs, in a new space adjacent to Streetcar Crowsnest.

Nada Ristich has spent her career supporting and advocating for the arts. In her role as Head, Community Giving at BMO, Nada Ristich has reshaped Canadian corporate philanthropy while building a thriving and sustainable arts ecosystem across the country.

As a result of Nada Ristich’s leadership, BMO has won numerous awards in Canada and the United States for its philanthropy, including the Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award for Most Effective Corporate Program (twice), and Award for Outstanding Corporation from the Greater Toronto chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Throughout her career, Nada Ristich has served on numerous boards, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts, and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“Nada’s deep curiosity has broadened the horizon of many artists and arts organizations. Her support and investment in the arts has been a key driver for economic and creative growth across this country.” Sherrie Johnson, Executive Director, Crow’s Theatre.

“Without Nada’s early support, there would be no home for Crow’s Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest,” says Chris Abraham, Artistic Director, Crow’s Theatre.

“We want to celebrate Nada’s enormous contribution by putting her name on a space where curious and adventurous artists will meet each other to create, develop, and invent new work for the stage and beyond. We are thrilled thousands of people will walk, bike, and drive by the space on a daily basis and see Nada’s name in lights.”

With the support of generous donors, a dedicated campaign committee, and funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Crow’s Theatre was able to acquire and renovate the space adjacent to Streetcar Crowsnest to extend the company’s physical footprint. Since opening in 2017, Streetcar Crowsnest has become a flourishing theatre and community arts hub with a growing audience. The new, 18000-square foot, state-of-the-art facility quickly became a mainstay in Toronto’s arts scene, filling a long-standing need for a year-round cultural venue in Toronto’s east end. The Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery expands Crow’s ability to support the creation of new works, emerging artists and broaden community through events and programming.

“The Crow’s Theatre expansion is an exciting new chapter for performing arts in Toronto. I’m thrilled to see its new space serving the needs of the wider community and becoming a larger hub of creativity for this region. Congratulations!” Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Following the Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery ribbon cutting ceremony, Crow’s Theatre opened all the doors to Streetcar Crowsnest for an arts community holiday gathering, house warming, and celebration.

Photo of Chris Abraham, Nada Ristich, Sherrie Johnson and Nancy Lockhart. © 2022 Mitchel Raphael.