Please join us in congratulating M(M)A’s Educator for Campus & Community Engagement, Teresa Gregorio, for being shortlisted in the Arts Champion Awards in City of Hamilton’s Arts Award 2026. The Arts Champion Awards may be conferred annually to living individuals who are outstanding supporters of the arts in Hamilton as volunteers, advocates, or board members.

Throughout her volunteer work, Teresa has consistently demonstrated integrity, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility to both her professional community and the public she serves. She contributes her time and expertise to national and local arts and museum education initiatives, including service on the national executive board of Gallery and Museum Educators (GAME) as well as active involvement in Hamilton-based cultural and professional communities, such as Centre [3] and the Hamilton-Area Museum Educators (HME) network.

According to her colleague Nicole Knibb, Senior Educator at the McMaster Museum of Art: “Teresa Gregorio … has made nearly two decades of outstanding contributions to the Hamilton Area Museum Educators (HME) as a dedicated and trusted leader. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in planning guest speakers and conferences while fostering meaningful collaboration among member colleagues and institutions. Teresa has also created and diligently maintained HME’s website and social media platforms, significantly strengthening communication and visibility for the organization. Her collegial work with sister institutions, including the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Burlington, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Hamilton Civic Museums, has positively expanded HME’s reach and impact across the region.”

As Darrell Pinto, Board Chair, Centre[3] for Artistic + Social Practice attests; “Drawing on Teresa’s experience in community education and engagement through meaningful arts-based learning, she serves as a strong asset in her role as co-chair of our Programming Advisory Committee. She contributes thoughtful ideas, sustained energy, and a collaborative approach that strengthens program planning and decision making. Her leadership helps ensure programming remains responsive to community needs and aligned with our mission.”

We asked Teresa a few questions: 

When did you join McMaster/M(M)A, and how has your career at M(M)A and within the city of Hamilton evolved since then?

TG: I became a work/study student at the Museum when I was taking my undergrad back in 2003. Once I graduated, I worked and volunteered at several Hamilton cultural institutions including the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Dundas Museum and Archives, and of course the McMaster Museum of Art. In 2007 I was hired at the M(M)A as an Information Officer where I had the very important experience of daily connection with museum visitors, and learned how to share information and conduct tours. I’m very glad to say that I’ve grown my career here at the M(M)A and am now the Educator: Campus & Community Engagement.

In the intervening 19 years, with the support of the Museum and its leadership, I’ve cultivated connections with museum educators across the region through my position as a coordinator for the Hamilton-Area Museum Educators group, and more recently with my role on the board for Centre[3] downtown.

What is a career highlight during your time at McMaster/M(M)A?

TG: Getting to collaborate with so many enthusiastic and talented people across and outside of campus! Museum education is all about people, connections, and community, and all my wonderful colleagues and mentors at the M(M)A have allowed partnership opportunities to grow.
A great example is when I worked with Hamilton artist stylo starr to create an education program that we now run online and in person. Working together with others like this makes for a robust, engaging, and fun program and I’m passionate about designing experiences like this because it brings art and arts-based education to people, which is so important for both individuals and communities.

What’s your favourite thing about the art/art education community in Hamilton?

TG: People are so helpful and thoughtful! Educators tend to be a connected bunch, and this certainly shines in Hamilton. If you’re doing research and need something, there’ll be a knowledgeable educator with an enthusiastic reply ready to help. I’ve received a bunch of these emails in just the past week! Hamilton is a wonderful city to build your career in, with welcoming folks and a thriving community. There’s such creativity here, and I’m continually inspired by the interesting, engaging, and cool programming that educator colleagues at Hamilton institutions are making available to us all.