Toya Lillard is a passionate theater artist, director, and arts educator dedicated to fostering creativity and inclusivity in the arts. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of 651 ARTS, a nationally renowned arts presenting organization. Prior to this role, Toya was the Executive Director of viBe Theater Experience, an innovative arts education organization and theater company based in Brooklyn, NY.

With a robust background in arts education, Toya previously held the position of Director of School Programs at The New York Philharmonic’s Education Department, where she contributed to the development of the acclaimed School Partnership Program. She is also a part-time faculty member at The New School, teaching Collaborative Theatre Practice.

Toya is actively involved in promoting equity and inclusion within the arts community as a board member of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable and co-chair of its TaskForce on Equity and Inclusion. 

Toya holds a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She resides in Brooklyn, NY, where she works  to inspire and empower the next generation of artists.