Michael Jones, Executive Director

Michael Jones, Executive Director

In 2024, Michael Jones retired as CEO of SK Arts, the provincial arts funder for the province of Saskatchewan, where he oversaw almost $10 million in support to artists annually. His tenure at SK Arts saw a rebuilding of the relationships between the agency, the government, and the arts community. Prior to his move to Regina, he ran the performing arts program for the Metcalf Foundation, one of the largest private family foundations in Canada providing strategic support in the arts. He has also held senior administrative posts at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute), Arraymusic, the Muki Baum Association, and Choirs Ontario. He holds BMus and MA (music) degrees from Western University and has certification in public sector governance from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Since leaving SK Arts, Michael has established a sole proprietorship arts management firm based in Toronto, under which he provides cluster management services to small arts companies. In addition to his role at the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael is the Editorial Director for Opera Canada magazine and has completed short-term contracts for Arts Consultants Canada and SK Arts.

In 2022, his leadership in the arts sector was recognized when he was named one of the first 70 recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan).

As an artist, Michael’s career has focused on theatre, primarily working as a director or music director for organizations like Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, The Red Barn Theatre, Theatre Scarborough, Theatre Sheridan, and Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. Some of his favourite credits include Amadeus (director), Falsettos (director/music director), and Next to Normal (director/music director).

SPO Musical Visitors Program

With the support of funding from Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is responding to a community need voiced by longterm care facilities. The benefits of live music to promote social interaction, lift spirits and spark memories is supported by medical research. We are looking for SPO Musicians interested in joining us for this pilot project.

This program will feature SPO musicians and a few others (e.g. a singer, pianist, or guitarist). It is a paying gig. Running from late August 2025 through March 2026, there are two components for the program.

  • Each selected ensemble unit will present a one-hour chamber music event to an audience of seniors, which will be presented three times in three different Scarborough seniors’ residences.  There will be approximately seven ensemble units selected for this program.
  • One musician will visit a individual seniors who have serious health issues and would appreciate some attention through music and conversation. 

Here are some details: 

1. Musicians can choose to be involved with one or both programs. It is possible a musician could play for both programs in a single visit. These programs will be co-ordinated by Ted Runcie. 

2. For the chamber music events:

  • A small ensemble of 2 to 4 musicians will be paid for one rehearsal and three concerts. An individual musician will be paid for three concerts.
  • Musicians will perform a program featuring accessible classical music and arrangements of more popular music (including movie tunes, Broadway songs, pop songs, etc.). There is a budget to buy sheet music for non-classical music.
  • The program will include performing music and interacting with the seniors, which could include providing information about the music, talking to seniors, asking them to sing along to a popular song, Christmas music, etc.
  • At the end of the event, musicians will ask for and record feedback from the seniors. This will be a short 5 to 7 min. session. Musicians will be given a form to work from.
  • Chamber music concerts/events will occur mainly on weekdays, morning or afternoon. An occasional evening or Saturday concert is possible. It could be possible to book two concerts in one day. 

3. For the individual senior visit program, musicians will coordinate with Ted Runcie for the specifics. 

4. Please contact the SPO for specific pay information.

5. There will be a one-hour paid mandatory online training session for musicians involved in the program, to help you understand what the senior homes are looking for. 

6. Musicians can apply as an individual or an ensemble. 

New Horizons for Seniors Musician Opportunity
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Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra Appoints Michael Jones as New Executive Director

 The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Michael Jones as its new Executive Director, effective August 1 2025. This decision follows a comprehensive succession-planning and search process, part of SPO’s two-year capacity-building initiative supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and led by interim Executive Director, Linda Rogers. “After an extensive search process, we are confident Michael is the right person to build on SPO’s track record of success and take the orchestra to the next level. “said Paul Tichauer, SPO’s Board Chair

Michael Jones brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in arts management to the SPO. Most recently, he served as the CEO of SK Arts, the provincial arts funder for Saskatchewan, where he successfully managed an annual budget of nearly $10 million in support of artists. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in rebuilding relationships between the agency, the government, and the arts community.

Prior to his leadership at SK Arts, Michael directed the performing arts program for the Metcalf Foundation, one of Canada’s largest private family foundations dedicated to strategic support in the arts. His extensive experience also includes senior administrative roles at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Arraymusic, the Muki Baum Association, and Choirs Ontario.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts in Music from Western University, along with certification in public sector governance from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Since retiring from SK Arts, he has established a sole proprietorship arts management firm in Toronto, providing cluster management services to small arts organizations. In addition to his role at SPO, he serves as the Editorial Director for Opera Canada magazine and has completed various short-term contracts for Arts Consultants Canada and SK Arts.

In recognition of his contributions to the arts sector, Michael was honored in 2022 as one of the first 70 recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in Saskatchewan. As an artist, he has directed and served as music director on numerous productions for esteemed organizations, including Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, and Theatre Scarborough, with notable credits such as *Amadeus*, *Falsettos*, and *Next to Normal*.

“We are excited to welcome Michael Jones to the SPO family,” said Ronald Royer, SPO’s Artistic Director.  “His extensive experience and passion for the arts will be invaluable as we prepare for our upcoming Season 2025-2026 and continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Scarborough.”