Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 3, 2007
• Invested on: April 11, 2008

For more than 25 years, Lola Rasminsky has been breaking new ground in arts education for children. As founding director of the Fine Arts Kindergarten, the Avenue Road Arts School and Arts for Children of Toronto, she has pioneered training programs in visual art, dance, music and theatre that allow children to discover and develop their own creativity. She has also brought outreach programs to Toronto's underprivileged neighbourhoods, providing youth at risk with lessons from professionals, including African drummers and hip hop dancers. With passion and imagination, she has inspired thousands of children to grow by embracing artistic expression.