Karen Kain

Image: Museum of Toronto.

Karen Kain worked as the Artistic Director of the National Ballet for 16 years. Kain began her career showcasing her passion and dedication to ballet by starring as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake and quickly thereafter becoming a Principal Dancer.

Born in 1951 | Ballet Dancer and Artistic Director

Karen Kain joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1969 at the age of 18 as a member of the Corps de Ballet and quickly rose to become one of its most celebrated Principal Dancers. Her exceptional talent captivated audiences internationally and she became known as one of the best classical dancers of her time. In 2005 she was appointed Artistic Director of the National Ballet, a position she would hold until 2021 making her the longest serving Artistic Director since the National Ballet’s founder, Celia Franca.

Kain’s commitment to artistic excellence, nurturing emerging talent, and expanding the reach of ballet has elevated the city’s cultural landscape, ensuring a legacy of dance that will inspire generations to come.

Explore more women who transformed Toronto.

Explore More

Beyond the Soil: AR Workshop for Creatives

Hosted by Oddside Arts, participants will learn from artists and creative technologists Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor.

Black Jewish Visions: A Short Film Screening of Periphery

This film explores multi-ethnic Jewish identity featuring narratives from Black Jewish Torontonians. Join us for a screening & conversation.

Share this Article

Explore More
Content

Beyond the Soil: AR Workshop for Creatives

Hosted by Oddside Arts, participants will learn from artists and creative technologists Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor.

Black Jewish Visions: A Short Film Screening of Periphery

This film explores multi-ethnic Jewish identity featuring narratives from Black Jewish Torontonians. Join us for a screening & conversation.

Filmmaker Panel & Screening: Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

These 10 short films translate oral histories and personal narratives into films that speak to a diaspora and beyond.

[Un]Archiving Workshop

This workshop explores on archiving and the importance of documenting Black stories, voices, & experiences.

A Place for Community Archives: A Panel Discussion

A panel discussion about the growing importance of community archiving in our city.

Telling Our Own Stories: A Panel on Black-Led Archives

This engaging and informative panel discussion brings together experts from the field of Black archives.

Curatorial Tours of Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

Join us at Museum of Toronto for a personalized guided group tour of the Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto exhibition.

Black Diasporas Tkaronto-Toronto

Explore our latest exhibition.

Curator-Led Tours of Mr. Dressup to Degrassi

Curator Ed Conroy led tours of the Mr. Dressup to Degrassi exhibition at Museum of Toronto

Nina Keogh Teaches Puppetry for Television

This past workshop welcomed participants into the puppetry world of the wonderful Nina Keogh.