Arkady Spivak
Producer and CEO of Talk Is Free Theatre

Arkady Spivak, named a 2020 Canadian Arts Hero by The Globe and Mail, was born in Moscow, what was Soviet Union in 1975. He is the founder and Artistic Producer of Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) in Barrie, where he has led the company for over 20 years. Under his leadership, TIFT has produced more than 170 works and toured nationally and internationally, including to South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Suriname. In 2018, he produced one of the most ambitious theatre experiences in the world, The Curious Voyage. It was a 3-day journey, during which each patron became the protagonist of their own story, and was transported, quite literally, from Barrie, Canada, to London, UK.

Through TIFT’s Service Projects, including the Artist Basic Income Guarantee, language translation technology, and sustained mentorship of local youth, he has advanced new models of artist support, expanded accessibility, and connected creative practice to broader community impact. Through TIFT he has contributed to the growth of cultural tourism in the region by developing large-scale immersive projects and festivals that attract visitors from across Canada and internationally, strengthening connections between the arts, local businesses, and the broader visitor economy.

Arkady is a member of the Rotary Club of Barrie and Vice-Chair of Tourism Barrie. 

Sector Representative: Arts and Culture, Live Entertainment 
Elected to a four-year Term, 2023-2027. 
Re-elected Term Ending 2031