Executive Director

Kamloops Art Gallery; Kamloops; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kamloops Art Gallery seeks an Executive Director to lead its transformative initiatives and ensure vibrant community engagement. This dynamic role involves strategic planning, financial oversight, and partnership development to enhance the Gallery's impact as a cultural hub.

Benefits

Health benefits

RRSP top-up

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience in a non-profit organization or equivalent.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans.
• Strong understanding of local, national, and international arts communities.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes the strategic vision of the Gallery.
• Responsible for overall management of Gallery assets and finances.
• Promotes the Gallery and its programs as primary spokesperson.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Financial Management

Program Development

Communication

Education

Graduate degree (MA or higher) in Arts Management, Art History, Fine Arts, Business Administration

Job description

The Kamloops Art Gallery is seeking a strong leader to ensure the Gallery continues to be a vital space for artistic expression and community connection.

Approaching its 50^th anniversary, the Kamloops Art Gallery is a dynamic cultural hub dedicated to showcasing transformative and innovative local, national, and international art that challenges and inspires. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and collaborations that focus on contemporary art, the Gallery brings together diverse voices and perspectives, fostering creative dialogue and community engagement.

The Gallery has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and accolades over the years. In 2005, the Gallery, in partnership with the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, represented Rebecca Belmore at the Venice Biennale. In 2018, it received an Honourable Mention at the CMA Awards for Luminocity, an innovative biennale featuring video projections and new media projects. National recognition has been a hallmark of the Gallery’s impact, working closely with internationally recognized artists and curators, including Pulitzer Prize winner Raven Chacon, an artist in Soundings: An Exhibition in Five Parts (2021), who was featured in The New York Times' "Best Art of 2024." Additionally, Art Review named Candice Hopkins, the curator of Soundings, one of the Most Influential People in the Contemporary Art World in 2023.

The Gallery is proud to have worked with recipients of several prestigious awards, such as recipients of the ScotiaBank Photography Award, including Deanna Bowen, Stan Douglas (who received the 2024 Order of Canada), and Jin-me Yoon, all of whom have been exhibited by the Gallery and have works in the Gallery’s collection. The Sobey Art Award has also honoured several artists who have been exhibited at the Gallery, including Ursula Johnson, Brian Jungen, Divya Mehra, Nadia Myre, and Jeremy Shaw.

Additionally, the Gallery is honoured to support BC artists who have received the Shadbolt Foundation VIVA Award. Award recipients Diyan Achjadi, Rebecca Belmore, Germaine Koh, Cindy Mochizuki, Samuel Roy-Bois, Kevin Schmidt, and Tania Willard have had solo exhibitions at the Gallery and have works in its collection.

The Opportunity Ahead

The opportunity to lead the Kamloops Art Gallery as its Executive Director comes at a transformative time for both the organization and the broader Kamloops community. With the city’s growing commitment to culture, the Executive Director will play a crucial role in shaping the Gallery’s future, ensuring its continued growth, and enhancing its visibility locally and beyond.

The Executive Director is accountable for leading, developing, and executing the strategic vision and operational plan of the Kamloops Art Gallery, maintaining alignment with the organization’s mission and guiding principles. These include a deep commitment to supporting artists and engaging audiences, while fostering an environment of excellence, collaboration, and sustainability. The Gallery’s dedication to teaching and learning is also central to its work.

Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Develops and executes the strategic vision of the Gallery in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, staff, and relevant parties.
• Responsible for reporting to the Board on both the strategic and operational objectives, including exhibitions, programming, events, fundraising, and finances.
• Provides overall leadership and direction to staff and volunteers, including recruitment and selection, delegation, compensation management, training and development, and performance management.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures and ensures clear lines of communication and leadership.
• In collaboration with Program Team presents a balanced plan of exhibitions and programs that reflect the Gallery’s mandate and community.

Sustainability and Fiscal Responsibility

• Develops and manages the annual operating and capital budgets and identifies and pursues revenue sources.
• Responsible for the overall management of Gallery assets and the permanent collection, including assessing short and long-term financial and capital needs.
• Oversees the care and maintenance of the permanent collection.
• Confirms acquisitions to the permanent collection with the Curator.

Building Connections and Partnerships

• Promotes the Gallery and its programs in the media and to the general public and acts as the Gallery’s primary spokesperson.
• Accountable for developing and maintaining relationships with government, community groups, and the arts community locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Acts as the primary representative of the KAG by attending openings and major events, visiting galleries.
• Develops a good working relationship with artists and respects their rights as partners in the visual arts and as creative producers.
• Develops and maintains professional liaison with the visual arts community in support of mutual concerns and to promote and support advocacy efforts on behalf of the non-profit gallery sector locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Oversees all major promotional copy and design circulated in the name of the Gallery.

Relationships

The Executive Director is responsible for executing the KAG’s strategic vision and plan. External contacts that support this purpose may include artists, curators, other executive directors and leaders of community organizations, representatives of regional, national, and international art organizations, City of Kamloops officials and staff, TNRD officials and staff, members, donors, external committee members, potential employees, community partners, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) faculty and officials, and members of the public.

The Executive Director works closely with all staff members. The Executive Director directly or indirectly supervises all staff, but works extensively with the Curator, Financial Controller, Assistant Curator, Operations Manager, Engagement Coordinator, Fundraising staff, and Board members.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Requirements

• Education: Graduate degree (MA or higher) in Arts Management, Art History, Fine Arts, Business Administration, or another relevant field. Equivalent professional experience in a similar role will also be considered.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of recent experience in a non-profit organization or equivalent, with a preference for experience in a leading art gallery setting.
• Leadership & Strategy: Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans, supervise teams, and coordinate the work of others. Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with employees, colleagues, artists, partners, and funders, tailoring communication to various stakeholders.
• Financial Expertise: Extensive experience in developing and managing both capital and operational budgets. Demonstrated critical thinking skills to analyse, develop, and manage capital and operational data and budgets.
• Program Development: In-depth knowledge of the methods and principles for developing programs for diverse audiences across all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Arts Community Knowledge: Strong understanding of local, national, and international arts communities, as well as contemporary art and artists, with a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for art.

Compensation:

• Salary range: $85,000 - $90,000 per annum, depending on experience
• The Gallery offers a competitive compensation package that includes health benefits, RRSP top-up, and parking.
• In the interest of work-life balance, the Gallery offers flexible working arrangements and hours.

Application Instructions:

Please see full details at https://kag.bc.ca/employment

Please submit cover letter and CV to [e-mail]

Deadline: The initial review of applications will begin September 1, 2025.

The Kamloops Art Gallery is an equal opportunity employer and thanks all applicants for their interest in the Gallery. Women, people of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and people from other historically excluded communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We thank all applicants; however, only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

The Kamloops Art Gallery

101 – 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BCV2C 2A9 // 250-377-2400 // kag.bc.ca

ABOUT KAMLOOPS

Situated at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, the Kamloops Art Gallery is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc. The City of Kamloops is home to a vibrant arts, culture, university, and sports community. Nestled between stunning landscapes, Kamloops is a destination for those who cherish the outdoors as much as they do culture, offering a wealth of activities, including hiking, biking, skiing, and golfing.

One of the most exciting recent developments in Kamloops is the approval of a state-of-the-art Kamloops Centre for the Arts. This facility will expand opportunities for the Kamloops Art Gallery, Western Canada Theatre, and the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. The Centre promises to be a transformative space for both the arts and the community, creating new opportunities for collaboration, performance, and education in the region.