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.

Julia Paul is a Canadian author, poet, singer-songwriter, business and life coach, and publishing executive whose work is grounded in creativity, culture, community, and meaningful connection.

As Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of Northern Arts Perspective, Julia leads the publication’s business operations, partnerships, audience development, marketing, national expansion, and long-term growth strategy. She works closely with tourism destinations, cultural organizations, restaurants, accommodations, artists, festivals, and independent businesses to develop thoughtful collaborations that introduce readers to exceptional Canadian experiences.

Julia brings extensive experience in business administration, financial systems, organizational development, communications, website management, process improvement, and strategic planning. As an entrepreneur and consultant, she has helped organizations strengthen their internal systems, reduce unnecessary expenses, improve their digital presence, and turn ambitious ideas into practical, sustainable plans.

After living and working in Chisasibi, Quebec, for seven years, Julia developed a lasting appreciation for northern communities, Indigenous culture, language, storytelling, and the importance of ensuring that communities are represented with care and respect. In 2021, she completed the Indigenous Business Management certificate through McGill University.

Julia is the author of The Five Lessons That Changed My Life, published in 2025. Her poetry also appears in Roots Through Stone, released in 2026. As a singer-songwriter and lifelong creative, she brings an artist’s perspective to Northern Arts Perspective and understands the courage, vulnerability, discipline, and determination involved in creating and sharing meaningful work.

Her vision for Northern Arts Perspective is to build a welcoming national publication where arts and culture are connected naturally with food, travel, history, music, and community life. She believes cultural storytelling should not only document what exists—it should help artists, organizations, destinations, and independent businesses reach the people who will value them.

Through her work as Publisher, Julia is helping Northern Arts Perspective grow from its Southwestern Ontario beginnings into a publication that explores Canada through the eyes of the people who create, preserve, and enrich it.