Central | Youth/Families
Dava Cansler is the Founder/Executive Director of Foluké Cultural Arts Center. Founded in 2002, Foluké Cultural Arts’ mission is to provide alternatives to negative behaviors through participation in the arts, with instruction being family-centered with a focus on at-risk youth. As a child, Dava received a tremendous amount of exposure to the arts in the areas of dance, visual arts, instrumental, and vocal music. As an adult, Ms. Cansler was a member of the Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble, singing and dancing in performances locally, nationally and internationally. Ms. Cansler is currently a Central Promise Ambassador serving the Central Neighborhood and has been recognized as one of seven arts-education leaders nationwide to receive the 2019 National Guild for Community Arts Education’s Milestone Award for their long-standing, exceptional service to the field. Ms. Cansler is a Kent State University graduate and has received instruction in Non-profit Management through The Cleveland Foundation and Foundation Center; Arts Administration and Leadership Development from Community Arts Education Leadership Institute (CAELI) of the National Guild for Community Arts Education; and professional development from The Cuyahoga County Youth Works Institute (CCYWI) at Case Western Reserve University, in addition to serving on its Advisory Board.
