Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

THE ORGANIZATION

The MacKenzie Art Gallery engages people in transformative experiences of the world through art.

Established in 1953, the MAG is Saskatchewan’s oldest public art gallery. The MAG serves a leadership role as the only provincial organization with the mandate and facilities to address an encyclopedic range of visual art and culture. Located on Treaty 4 territory in Regina’s beautiful Wascana Park - Canada’s largest urban park - the MAG permanent collection spans 5,000 years of art with nearly 5,000 works. The MAG has one of the largest collections of Indigenous Art in Canada.

The MAG was founded on the collection of its namesake, Norman MacKenzie (1869-1936), who bequeathed his collection to the University of Saskatchewan (Regina College), now the University of Regina. In 1990, the MAG became independent of the University, moving into new purpose-built facilities but retaining a partnership with the University.

The MacKenzie is located on the edge of the 2,300 acre Wascana Centre (1962), the fourth largest urban park in North America and home to the Provincial Capital Commission. Historically known as Oskana (Cree for “Pile of Bones”) Regina is situated on the traditional territory of the Cree, Saulteaux, Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Although the MacKenzie is Saskatchewan’s oldest public art gallery, it is relatively young compared to the culture that has been practiced and shared on this territory for millennia. We acknowledge and honour the deep art history of this land, and aim to serve both this history as well as current and future generations.

The MacKenzie Art Gallery has a proud history of being a leader in exhibiting and collecting the work of Canada’s Indigenous artists. In 1975, the MacKenzie was the first public art gallery in Canada to present traditional First Nations objects as fine art. The exhibition 100 Years of Saskatchewan Indian Art 1830-1930 recognized the creative achievement of Saskatchewan’s First Nations and was curated by well-known Saskatchewan Metis artist, Bob Boyer. This activity has continued over the years, with the appointment of an Indigenous curator, and most recently with the Gallery receiving a major donation of works by Indigenous artists from collectors Thomas Druyan and Alice Ladner of Yellowknife. In 2016, the MacKenzie mounted Across the Turtle’s Back: The Kampelmacher Memorial Collection of Indigenous Art to highlight this historic donation, featuring 245 artworks that were selected from over 1,000 assembled by the collectors.

In August 2018, the MAG received a 25-million-dollar gift from an anonymous donor, the largest donation in the Gallery’s history. This transformative gift is endowed through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, which manages the funds and annually disburses the earned income to the MAG. The MAG receives ongoing funding from the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, City of Regina, University of Regina, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Currently, the MAG’s revenue is generally balanced between grants and donations (which includes sponsorship and events) with a small portion from earned revenue.

With the departure of Anthony Kiendl to become the CEO of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the MAG is seeking a new leader.


THE POSITION

The MacKenzie Art Gallery offers a challenging and high-profile leadership opportunity to further develop one of Canada’s finest arts institutions. The Executive Director and CEO will provide expertise and leadership to ensure the MAG’s future growth and success as we continue to differentiate ourselves by providing transformative experiences of the world through art.

An experienced leader in the arts sector, the Executive Director and CEO will work with a professional Board of Trustees and 50 full-time and part-time staff to continue to execute the vision of the MAG to provide transformative experiences of the world through art.

You will bring both strategic and operational leadership to the MAG. The Board of Trustees will enable you to provide organizational and fiscal leadership, continuing to execute on the mission, vision, and well-defined strategic objectives.

This position is ideal for a dynamic leader who brings energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of the role; including fundraising, excellence in artistic programs, community engagement, relationship building with a variety of stakeholders (government, donors, volunteers, members and staff) and creating an engaging workplace for the MAG’s valued staff members. Day-to-day, you will oversee the management and growth of the MAG’s human, financial and physical resources through championing the MAG’s values and culture. The successful candidate will operate with gravitas, humility, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves when required.

As an energetic leader, you will demonstrate an ability to execute a vision and mobilize the MAG to translate that vision into action. You will be well-versed in human, financial, and operational responsibilities. Your senior management experience includes the ability to oversee the operations of the Gallery, oversight of fundraising campaigns and leading through challenging times. You have extensive experience in an arts organization with a focus on donor relations and stakeholder engagement.

With MAG’s 70th anniversary approaching in 2023, the organization is in the midst of an ongoing, multi-phased organizational transformation that will allow the Gallery to grow well into the future. The MAG Executive Director & CEO will be responsible for leading this transformation and building membership and visitor engagement and playing a leading role in the national and international arts scene.

For more information on the role, please visit: https://www.searchlightpartnersgroup.com/news