TORONTO.- Yorkville Murals Festival (YVM) announces the appointment of Shauna Levy as Festival Director, effective immediately.
A respected leader in Canada’s art and design community, Levy is a cultural strategist and creative producer whose career spans the non-profit, corporate, and entrepreneurial sectors. Her work includes co-founding the Interior Design Show (IDS), serving as CEO of the Design Exchange (DX), launching EDIT: Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology, and leading arts and cultural strategy for Freed Developments.
Working alongside Founder and Creative Director Alan Ganev, Levy will focus on expanding the festival’s footprint, strengthening partnerships and sponsorships, and exploring opportunities to bring the Yorkville Murals Festival model to additional cities.
“Yorkville Murals has evolved into one of the most exciting cultural platforms in the city, where art, fashion, music, and public space collide,” said Levy. “I’m thrilled to help grow the festival’s creative ambition, deepen partnerships, and continue transforming Yorkville into a living canvas for artists and audiences.”
Levy’s appointment reflects the rapid growth and cultural impact of YVM, now entering its seventh year and drawing approximately 70,000 visitors annually, making it Yorkville’s largest and most attended arts festival.
“Bringing Shauna on as Festival Director marks an exciting next step for YVM,” said Alan Ganev, Founder and Creative Director of Yorkville Murals Festival. “Her experience building major cultural initiatives and partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to expand the festival and explore new opportunities for its future.”
2026 Festival
YVM takes place August 22–23, 2026, transforming the neighbourhood into an open-air gallery of contemporary art, with programming spanning public art, music, wellness, and cultural experiences.
Under the theme “No Empty Spaces,” the 2026 festival expands across more than 100,000 square feet, extending into Bellair Street, Cumberland Street, and Yorkville Park, alongside Yorkville Avenue and the Cumberland Parkade. For the first time, Yorkville Park will be fully activated as a hub for free community programming, creating a full block of interactive experiences designed to engage visitors of all ages.
Visitors can expect new large-scale murals, immersive installations, and the return of the free Saturday Block Party on the Parkade rooftop. The festival will also welcome back its popular wellness programming, with new this year: kids art zones, dog-friendly activities, and expanded family programming, creating a vibrant cultural weekend that serves as Toronto’s unofficial send-off to summer.
YVM is presented by Taglialatella Galleries and INK Entertainment, in partnership with the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area, building on the neighbourhood’s legacy as a cornerstone of Toronto’s early 20th-century art scene. On Friday, INK Entertainment will take over the festival with a ticketed international DJ experience.
“Yorkville Murals is one of the most exciting cultural moments in the city right now,” said Charles Khabouth and Danny Soberano, co-founders of INK Entertainment. “We’re excited to take over Friday night and bring that energy to life with an international DJ experience that reflects the creativity and vibrancy of the festival.”
