Who are we? 

Nuwa Arts and Cultural Production is a Canadian-based arts organization dedicated to supporting and amplifying Arabic-speaking artists through multidisciplinary programming. We create platforms for artistic development, collaboration, and public engagement across literature, theatre, music, and visual arts. Through our initiatives, we aim to foster cultural exchange, strengthen community connections, and position Arabic arts as an integral part of Canada’s cultural landscape.

Nuwa Arts and Cultural Production was established in 2020 in response to a clear need: to create space for Arabic-speaking artists in Canada to gather, create, and be seen. What began as a small, community-driven initiative has grown into a dynamic platform connecting artists, audiences, and institutions through ongoing programs and cultural events. From intimate gatherings to large-scale initiatives like the Mississauga Arabic Book Fair, Nuwa has evolved to build continuity, visibility, and a sense of belonging for artists working across languages and disciplines. Our story is one of collective growth, shaped by the voices we support and the communities we serve.

Our story

Nuwa Arts and Cultural Production was established in 2020 as an artist-driven initiative, created by artists to serve artists and support the development of the arts sector. It emerged in response to the limited visibility and opportunities available to Arabic-speaking artists in Canada. Since then, Nuwa has grown from small, community-based gatherings into a platform that delivers consistent multidisciplinary programming. Through initiatives such as SAWA, The Writing Room, the Permanent Book Fair, and the Mississauga Arabic Book Fair, Nuwa continues to foster artistic growth, strengthen community connections, and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable cultural landscape.

Our history

Meet our team

Board of Directors 

Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.

Basima Takrouri 

Founder

Basima Takrouri is a novelist, literary translator, and cultural leader based in Canada. She is the founder and Head of the Board of Directors of Nuwa Arts and Cultural Production, where she leads the organization’s vision to support, amplify, and sustain Arabic-speaking artists and cultural practitioners. She is also the founder and director of the Mississauga Arabic Book Fair, established in 2025, and has launched several cultural initiatives dedicated to literary production, public engagement, and artistic collaboration.

A PhD candidate in Humanities, her academic and creative work engages questions of language, identity, and cultural production within Arab and diasporic contexts. With over two decades of experience across literature, translation, and cultural programming, her practice moves between writing, translation, and institutional development, positioning literature as both a space of expression and a means of shaping collective cultural presence.

She is a member of PEN Canada and Writers in Exile, and her work continues to contribute to building sustainable platforms for artistic development, cross-cultural exchange, and meaningful community engagement.

Kyle Gonzales 

Board Member 


Kyle Gonzales is a Video and Visuals Engineer, Video Producer, and Video Director with over two decades of experience in broadcast television, live events, and digital production. He serves as a Board Member and Program Advisor at Nuwa Arts and Cultural Production, where he provides strategic guidance, technical oversight, and production expertise in support of the organization’s cultural programming and community initiatives.

Gonzales specializes in live video systems, multi-camera direction, and broadcast-ready visual execution, and is the owner-operator of professional ATEM HD/4K video switching systems. His production credits include video set and technical support for CBC’s Family Feud, as well as video production roles for the Canadian Walk of Fame ceremonies in 2023 and 2024.

His work also includes national music and entertainment broadcasts such as the Juno Awards, providing web broadcast support in 2016 and press conference video support during the 2014 Juno Awards. Earlier career highlights include video staging support for the MuchMusic Video Awards (1999–2000) and work on MuchMusic Intimate & Interactive(2001), including the live broadcast featuring Destiny’s Child.

 

Niveen Shaheen 

Board Member

Niveen Shaheen is a cultural leader and the founder and director of the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival (JIAFF). Her work focuses on developing cultural platforms that support Arab cinema and expand access to film as a space for storytelling, dialogue, and representation.

With experience in cultural programming and institutional development, she has led initiatives that connect filmmakers, audiences, and cultural institutions across local and international contexts. Through JIAFF, she has contributed to promoting independent voices and strengthening the presence of Arab cinema within broader cultural landscapes.

As a member of the Board of Directors at Nuwa Arts, Niveen Shaheen brings valuable insight into cultural production, festival programming, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, supporting the organization’s mission to build sustainable and impactful artistic platforms.

Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.

Bassam Jameel

Communication and Logistics 

A novelist and Writers Relations and Logistics Coordinator for the Mississauga Arabic Book Fair. He is the author of several literary works in short fiction and the novel form, and contributes opinion articles to Arabic media. His work also includes training in creative writing, and he brings extensive experience in cultural coordination, managing communication with writers, and overseeing the logistical aspects of literary and cultural events.

Rowan Jammal
Graphic designe and Social Media Publishing 


Graphic designer specializing in advertising arts and social media publishing. With a strong background in visual design, she combines creative sensibility with a commitment to community engagement, contributing to cultural work through visual communication and digital outreach.