NORTHERN ARTS PERSPECTIVE

A Critical Lens on Canadian Arts.

ART
Stratford Festival, Stratford, ON
2026 Season
2025 Season
2024 Season
Here For Now Theatre, Stratford, ON
2026 Season
2025 Season
Blyth Festival, Blyth, ON
2026 Season
2025 Season
Toronto Fringe Festival, Toronto, ON
2026 Season
TRAVEL

Meet Our Founder

Galen Simmons

Founder, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher

Galen Simmons
Arts Writer • Editor • Film Researcher • Food & Travel Reviewer

Galen Simmons is an award-winning Canadian journalist, editor, photographer, and arts reviewer with more than a decade of experience telling the stories that shape communities.

A graduate of Carleton University’s Bachelor of Journalism program, Galen has built his career covering everything from municipal politics and the courts to arts, culture, business, health, education, agriculture, and community life. His reporting has appeared in publications across Ontario and Saskatchewan, earning recognition for excellence in writing, photography, and community journalism.

Today, Galen serves as Regional Editor and Director of Editorial Strategy for Grant Haven Media, overseeing multiple community newspapers while continuing to report, edit, mentor writers, and lead editorial planning.

Since 2017, Galen has become a respected voice covering the Stratford Festival, reviewing hundreds of theatrical productions with fairness, insight, and a deep appreciation for the performing arts. His work has since expanded to include restaurant reviews, travel writing, cultural experiences, and destination storytelling.

In 2025, Galen founded Northern Arts Perspective with the vision of creating an independent publication dedicated to celebrating Canadian arts and culture while inspiring readers to discover exceptional food, travel, and creative experiences close to home and around the world.

Through thoughtful journalism, beautiful photography, and authentic storytelling, Northern Arts Perspective connects readers with the people, places, performances, and experiences that make communities vibrant.

Professional Highlights

  • Award-winning journalist with more than 12 years of newsroom experience.
  • Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Northern Arts Perspective.
  • Regional Editor and Director of Editorial Strategy for Grant Haven Media.
  • More than seven years covering the Stratford Festival and professional theatre.
  • Experienced in news reporting, feature writing, arts criticism, photography, editing, page design, social media, and digital publishing.
  • Mentor to emerging journalists and contributors.
  • Trusted by readers, artists, organizations, and community leaders for balanced, accurate, and engaging journalism.

Awards & Recognition

2026

  • 3rd Place – Best Health & Wellness, Ontario Community Newspapers Association Better Newspapers Competition

2021

  • Runner-Up – Spot News Writing (Communities Under 25,000), Ontario Newspaper Awards

2019

  • Runner-Up – Spot News Photography, Canadian Association of Journalists

2014

  • Canadian Community Newspaper Award – Best Historical Coverage
  • Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association Award – Best Educational Coverage