Founded in 1988 and formally incorporated as the Workman Theatre Project of Ontario in 1991, during its nearly 20-year history the Company has produced 38 original new Canadian plays, toured over to over 30 theatres across Ontario and Manitoba, produced eight annual Being Scene Art Exhibitions and four multidisciplinary arts festivals. In 2003, Workman Arts produced the first ever Madness and the Arts World Festival at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. In 2005 the Company changed its name to the Workman Arts Project of Ontario to more accurately reflect the broad scope of its artistic programming.

Founder and Executive Director Lisa Brown is a former nurse at the Queen Street Mental Health Centre. Lisa is also the co-founder and Festival Director of the annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival and the founder and Exhibit Director of the annual Being Scene Art Exhibit.

She conceived and produced the inaugural Madness and Arts 2003 World Festival. In 2006 she brought the cast and crew of Workman Arts’ original work Vincent to Germany for the 2nd Madness and Arts World Festival. In 2004 Lisa received a Meritorious Service Medal from the office of the Governor General of Canada for her work with the Company.