Community Spotlight: Meet Niki Chopra Richardson of TOArts

Niki Chopra Richardson

Executive Director, TOArts

Can you please share more about yourself and the mission of TOArts?

I've been with TOArts since 2017, starting as Development Director and growing into the Executive Director role as of July 1, 2025. My journey with TOArts mirrors the organization's own evolution—we've both grown tremendously over these eight years. TOArts is the nonprofit presenting and fundraising partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, and our mission is to inspire and elevate arts, culture, and entertainment through presentation, education, and collaboration. But what that really means is captured in our vision: Where the Arts Thrive for All.

We are building what we call a "first five to first job" arts pipeline—serving everyone from kindergarteners experiencing their first live performance to emerging professional artists launching sustainable careers. Through our four program pillars—Workforce Development, Arts Education, Performances, and Community Support—we reach over 50,000 people annually. Whether it's the nearly 7,000 students attending free performances, high schoolers in our Youth Arts Leadership Academy raising funds for schools affected by wildfires, or veterans and educators receiving free tickets to attend live performances, we're committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to transformative arts experiences.

Who has made a strong impact on your life and has helped you to get you where you are today?

I haven't arrived here because of one person—I've stood on the shoulders of many remarkable mentors and champions who saw something in me at pivotal moments.

Robin Woodworth was my earliest nonprofit mentor, and she believed in me before I believed in myself. She became a mirror, reflecting back my worth and potential when I couldn't yet see it clearly. She taught me to aim higher than I thought possible. Patricia Jones, my very first nonprofit boss, was a fierce advocate for professional development who invested deeply in my education as a fundraiser. Her commitment to my growth laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Eloise Cohen—beloved by so many in our community and gone from us far too soon—reached across nine years to bring me back to Thousand Oaks specifically to work at TOArts. That phone call changed my life. And Barry McComb, my first boss at TOArts, demonstrated such extraordinary faith in me that he hired me on the spot, without even an interview. He gave me something invaluable: permission to experiment, to take creative risks, and to truly spread my wings with untested ideas that shaped TOArts into what it is today.

Looking back now, I can see that my entire 24-year career in the nonprofit sector has been preparing me for this moment—to lead an organization that makes the arts accessible to everyone in our community. But none of it would be possible without my husband Jason, who has been my unwavering champion through countless late nights and long days. His encouragement, love, and steadfast support have given me the courage to step fully into this calling.

What are some recent highlights at TOArts? And what events, milestones and steps are in the near future?

This past year has been transformative for TOArts on every level. We achieved record-breaking attendance with 6,800 students experiencing live performances through our Kids and the Arts program—a 24% increase that demonstrates the growing hunger for arts experiences in our schools. Our Youth Arts Leadership Academy—a year-long program where high school students explore arts careers while producing a community arts event—will see its 2024-25 executive team honored with the Youth in Philanthropy Award on National Philanthropy Day in November 2025, recognizing their exceptional leadership in raising over $6,200 for two schools affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Organizationally, we reached a major milestone on July 1, 2025, when TOArts became an independent employer, growing from one staff person to three full-time positions. This transition positions us for sustainable, strategic growth as we build the infrastructure to support our expanding programs. Our Sparking Joy! capital campaign has reached 60% of its $5 million goal, including a remarkable evening where our community raised $350,000—fully completing the TOLD Foundation's dollar-for-dollar challenge match to generate $700,000 for TOArts' future.

We're expanding access across the board. Nearly 1,100 high school students in the Conejo Valley heard from National Geographic explorers, scientists, and photographers through our TOArts Trailblazers Education assemblies, gaining exposure to careers that blend creativity with other fields. And we're seeing tangible proof that our high school programs work—students from our Youth Arts Leadership Academy and Creators Conservatory are now pursuing arts degrees at colleges including Yale, UC Davis, and Moorpark College, using portfolios and original work developed in our programs to launch their creative careers.

Looking ahead, we're thrilled about our inaugural Artist Incubator cohort, currently underway with emerging and established artists working with industry advisors to build sustainable creative careers. They'll present their business plans in a pitch presentation in June 2026—a culmination of a year spent developing not just their artistry, but the entrepreneurial skills to thrive professionally. We're also reimagining the pre-show

experience at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, creating opportunities for community members to connect with each other before performances, transforming our venue into not just a place to see art, but a place to build community around it.

What about TOArts is special to you, what would you like our readers to know?

What makes TOArts special is that we are building something truly comprehensive—a complete arts ecosystem that meets people wherever they are in their creative journey. I love that on any given day, we might be introducing a five-year-old to the magic of live theatre for the first time, mentoring a high school student as they discover they can build a career in the arts, presenting world-class entertainment to thousands of community members, and supporting an emerging professional artist in launching a sustainable creative business—all under one organizational umbrella.

We call it our "first five to first job" approach, and it means we're not just presenting great art or offering isolated programs. We're building pathways. A student who sees their first show through Kids and the Arts might later participate in our Youth Arts Leadership Academy, and/or our Creators Conservatory, and eventually our Artist Incubator. We're creating a continuum of support that didn't exist before.

But what's most special to me is how deeply embedded we are in our community. We bring National Geographic speakers to high schools, present performances at the Grant Brimhall Library, partner with schools on career technical education, support veterans through arts experiences, and ensure that over 80% of the students we serve come from Title I schools. We don't wait for people to come to us—we go where they are.

I want readers to know that TOArts is truly committed to our vision that the arts thrive for all—not just those who can afford tickets, not just those in certain zip codes, not just those who already know they love the arts. We're building a more creative, connected, and equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts, whether as an audience member, a student, or an artist building their career.

Why did you think it was important to become a member of the CNL? What do you value most about your connection with CNL?

I'm a firm believer in continuing education, peer support, and the power of connection—especially in the nonprofit sector where we're often so focused on serving others that we forget to invest in our own professional growth. I also deeply believe that a rising tide lifts all ships. When nonprofits throughout Ventura County are stronger, better resourced, and more connected, our entire community benefits. We're not competing with each other; we're collectively building a stronger region.

I'm also a huge admirer of Dena Jenson and her vision for a connected, educated, and well-supported nonprofit sector in Ventura County. Her leadership has created something invaluable for organizations like TOArts.

What I value most about our CNL connection is access to high-quality professional development—not just for me, but for my entire team, our board members, and even our volunteers when needed. The ability to provide ongoing training and learning opportunities strengthens everyone's capacity to do great work. I also deeply value the convenings and networking opportunities that CNL facilitates. There's something powerful about being in a room with fellow nonprofit leaders who understand the unique challenges we face—the late nights, the resource constraints, the heart that drives us to keep going. Those connections provide both practical solutions and emotional sustenance.

The speakers CNL brings in are consistently inspiring and relevant, offering fresh perspectives that challenge me to think differently about leadership, innovation, and community impact. Being part of CNL reminds me that I'm not leading in isolation—I'm part of a broader ecosystem of changemakers, and together we're building the kind of community where everyone can thrive.

How can the community support you? Where can they find you on social media?

There are so many ways our community can support TOArts! The most direct is through donations at toarts.org/donate—we're in the final stretch of our $5 million Sparking Joy! campaign with $2 million left to raise. Even a gift of $100 can provide a student with a live performance experience they'll remember forever.

Beyond financial support, we need ambassadors. Come see a show at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center and bring friends. Tell educators about our Kids and the Arts program. If you know a high school student interested in arts leadership, connect them with our YALA program. Attend our events, share our posts, and help us spread the word that Thousand Oaks is a place where the arts truly thrive for all.

You can find us on social media @thousandoaksarts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more about all our programs at toarts.org. I'm also always happy to connect directly—reach out to me at niki@toarts.org if you want to learn more about how you can get involved.