Sylvia Sweeney, C.M. OLY
Founder/President
The Globalists
Over 30 years of experience
For the past three decades, Ms. Sweeney has been staging cross-cultural events around the world. Inspired by the late Harry Belafonte and the late Oscar Peterson, her dedication to the promotion of excellence in all cultures has been the driving force behind her vision for the ArtsGames Movement. As a seasoned broadcast professional, she has produced more than a hundred television shows and live events, with a common theme of giving voice to the talent and acumen of great artists and humanitarians.
As a member of the International Olympic Committee for Culture and Olympic Heritage, she has lent her support to the Games Movement, first as an Olympian and subsequently by staging events as part of the cultural programming during Olympic Games in Atlanta, Athens, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.
Our Inspiration
The Late Harry Belafonte
ArtsGames Ambassador
The Late Oscar Peterson
The Late Daisy Peterson- Sweeney
Dr. Daisy Peterson Sweeney
https://www.daisypetersonsweeney.ca/ Hundreds of students learned life lessons from her piano bench, including her brother Oscar Peterson and jazz great Oliver Jones. She inspired many who are part of the ArtsGames Movement. She was musical bridge between cultural divides, and has been rememberd by the City of Montreal. A mural, a park and a street have been named in her honour.
Our Medalists
These three inspirational humanitarians personify the medals which are to be awarded to ArtsGames competitors.
IAC Executive Team
Khephra Burns
Secretary General Int’l ArtsGames Cross Cultural Federation
Mr. Burns has been a member of the IAC team since 2008. He brings a wealth of experience to the ArtsGames, having worked in the arts and entertainment as a playwright, television and live-events script writer and producer associated with a myriad of jazz, classical and pop artists.
Excellence is a form of protest.
Xin Li
Corporate Affairs
Ms. Li joined the IAC team in 2017. As a seasoned investment and finance executive, Ms. Li has brought infrastructure and guidance to the team, ensuring that the corporation meets its obligations and exceeds expectations.
Bonnie Dyer
IAC Commissioner
Ms. Dyer is an experienced arts competitions executive. She holds the position of Vice President of the international dance organization, New Ventures.
Ms. Dyer has deep expertise in arts competition administration, governance and management. As IAC Commissioner, Ms. Dyer oversees International ArtsGames Federations.
Dr. Bowie Bowei
Secretary General Int’l ArtsGames Percussion Federation
Dr. Bowei is a member of the IAC Executive Board and is the Secretary General of the International ArtsGames Percussion Federation (IAPF).
Dr. Bowei has increased the ArtsGames Percussion footprint around the world. For more than two decades Dr. Bowei has staged percussion competitions bringing cultures together through the arts.
Advisory Members
Howard Stupp
Legal Affairs Advisor
Hazel Ross Robinson
Int’l Affairs Advisor
Garry Kallos
Games Advisory Council
Chad Wolfond
IAC Art Advisory Council
Builders
The IAC never forgets those who contributed to the dream.
Jim Murray
Founding Member
Ron Deland
Founding Member
Dave Martin
Builder
Nancy Knowlton
Builder
Builders
The list of contributors continue to grow as foundations are laid brick by brick.
Sol Roter
Finance Advisory Council
The Late Jeff Neiman
Sales
The Late Allan Slaight
Backer
Seymour Epstein
Supporter
Contributors
The ArtsGames movement continues to progress through the efforts of dedicated contributors.
Gayle Pinheiro
Legal
The Late John Tollady
Counsellor
Wendy Carruthers
Accounting Advisor
Dave Rodgers
Research and Development
Contributors
The ArtsGames movement has attracted some of the world’s most celebrated artists and arts administrators.
Jessica Zhang
Administration
Marcelle Lean
President Cinefranco Film Festival – Advisor
Debra Soucek
Former IAC VP Marketing
Mariam Momani
Film Advisory Council
Contributors
Each of these Contributors is an award-winning advocate in their respective fields.
Don Simpson
Innovation Explorer
Don Shipley
Creative Director
Benoit Milord
Creative Director
Eddie Bullen
Music Director
Contributors
Whether in the office or on the road, each contributed to the advancement of the mission.
Howard Thomas
Marketing
Jacek Kochan
Music Director
Hugues de Roussan
Media Relations
Gloria Sweeney
Talent Wrangler
Contributors
The ArtsGames Movement has attracted contributors from a wide variety of cultures.
Celine Peterson
Social Media – Rio 2016
Dr. Beatriz Garcia
Olympic Games Researcher
George Sapounidis
Cross-Cultural Research and Performance Beijing 2008
Jeff Adams
Foundation Development Paralympian
Contributors
The ArtsGames Movement has attracted contributors from a wide variety of cultures.
Doug Steuwe
Broadcast relations
Min Sook Lee
2001 Olympic Presentation
Vikie Painparé
Administration
Judith Sweeney
Advisor
Contributors
Working together around the globe
Kevin Connolly
Photographer
Team at Work
Beijing 2008
Jacqueline Land
Project management
Alex Krawtschenko
Finance
Contributors
The spectrum of contributors continues to grow.
Tonya Reid
Production Management
Graeme Clyke
Projecct Management
Irene Chu
Contact – Advisor
Lisa Jamieson
Administration
Contributors
It takes a village to raise a child, and these people helped to raise this child.
June Lui
Finance
The Late Eric Mercury
Talent Coordinator
Tony Tobias
Arts Consultant
Joan Thomas
Producer
Contributors
Hands outstretched to uplift each other
Rose Marie Couture
Media Distribution
Anabel Newton
Legal Administration
Kathleen Doody
Media Management
Michael Kohras
Editorial
Contributors
Coming together from all corners of the world
The Late
William Fowler
Int’l Dance Organization
Medhi Benboubakeur
Media Arts Commissioner
Fritz Thom
Former Advisor – Jazz Federation
Glen Kwok
Former Commissioner -Music
Michael Wendt
Former Commissioner – Dance
Sarah Avarell
IAC Administration
Sheila Connelly
IAC Research and Development
The Late Kathy Keelfer
Centre Stage Chronicles, Host
Contributors
When the going gets tough, volunteers are the glue.
Greg Mulcair
Awaken Solutions
Joanne Smale
Public Relations
Denis Perov
Strategic Advisor
Joelle Lafleur
Translations
Contributors
When the going gets tough, volunteers are the glue.
Artiom Vicolas
IT Infrastructure
Dara Bowser
Strategic Advisor
Craig Goodwill
Producer/Director
Rick Garson
Producer
Past Performers & Presenters
The IAC organizers have been bringing cultures together through performances during the Olympic and Paralympic Games since 1996.
Celine DIon
Atlanta 1996
David Foster
Atlanta 1996
Liberty SIlver
Atlanta 1996 – Athens 2004
The Late Leslie Neilson
Atlanta 1996
Past Performers
Performers during Olympic and Paralympic Games
Warren “Slim”Williams
Atlanta 1996
Adrian Anantawan
Athens 2004
Jessie Ross
Athens 2004
Chin Injeti
Athens 2004
Past Performers
The selection of artists to participate are those who use their craft for the betterment of humanity.
Denis Harting
Athens 2004
Sheila E.
Beijing 2008 – Rio 2016
Kat Dyson
Beijing 2008
Rhonda Smith
Beijing 2008
Past Performers
A common characteristic of ArtsGames performers is their continued demonstration of excellence.
The Late Alex DePue
Violinist – Rio 2016
Miguel de Hoyos
Guitaris – Rio 2016
Daniel Bouchard Clarke
Pianist – Rio 2016
Marie Denise Pelletier
Singer – Atlanta 1996
Past Performers
A common characteristic of ArtsGames performers is their continued demonstration of excellence.
Alex Wong
Dancer – Montreal 2016 ArtsGames Convention
Lorraine Klassen
Singer – Montreal 2016 ArtsGames Convention
Liu Fang
Pipa player- Montreal 2016 ArtsGames Convention
Michael Laucke
flamenco guitartl Montreal 1996 ArtsGames Convention
Past Performers
The IAC celebrates artists who use their craft for the betterment of humanity.
Oliver Jones O.C.
Beijing 2008 – Rio di Janiero 2016
Justin Hines
Beijing 2008
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Beijing 2008
George Sapoudinis
Beijing 2008
Past Performers
Artists are the Gatekeepers of Truth. Our truth is that the ArtsGames is for and by artists and their supporters
Levon Ichkhanian
Musician – Beijing 2008
Ma Li
Dancer – Beijing 2008
Tony Deblois
Pianist/Singer – Beijing 2008
Artists Support Team
Beijing 2008
Past Performers
Artists are the Gatekeepers of Truth. Our truth is that the ArtsGames is for and by artists and their supporters
Emmanuel Jal
Rio 2016 Interview
Sharon Riley
Blueprints 1999
Ofra Harnoy
1996 Canadian Olympic Salute
Itzhak Perlman
Beijing 2008 Interview
Past Performers
A world of talent to explore!
Billy Newton Davis
Singer – 1999 Blueprints Festival
Kitorah
Singer – Beijing 2008
Éric Lagacé
Bass player – Beijing 2008
Jim Doxas
Drummer – Beijing 2008
Past Performers
And the beat goes on!
Taylor Dayne
Singer – Beijing 2008
Hampartsoum Djabourian
Doudouk player – Montreal 2016 ArtsGames Convention
Marie-Jo Thério
1996 Canadian Olympic Salute
Carol Welsman
Blueprints Festival 99
The upfront talent and those behind the scenes of ArtsGames events include hundreds more. These people have shared their time, talent and resources to demonstrate the excellence that exists in all cultures.
We appreciate the contributions these artists have made, believing that artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We thank them for it!
Sylvia Sweeney
Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what stakeholders have to say.
“I think the ArtsGames is a culturally significant idea that will have human interest all over the world. That’s big, that’s very big!”
Jonathan Mildenhall
Former VP Global Strategy & Creative Excellence – Coca Cola
“As Olympians, we know the magnificence of nations getting together for a common purpose. Our goal is lofty.”
Garry Kallos
Olympian
“I would hope those of you who see this would be willing to use your influence and goodwill to support the ArtsGames.”
Harry Belafonte
Former ArtsGames Ambassador
In Memory of the late Alex DePue, tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident, January 27th, 2022.