Vancouver Art Gallery Appoints New Associate Director

The Vancouver Art Gallery announced September 15 the appointment of Ann Webb as the Gallery’s associate director, director of engagement and strategic initiatives.

Webb’s background includes her most recent position as the managing director of contemporary culture, Royal Ontario Museum, where she presented the Vancouver Art Gallery’s exhibition Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything, organized the annual Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture, and planned the forthcoming exhibition Isaac Julien: Other Destinies among other dynamic projects. Her career also includes roles as executive director and CEO of the Canadian Art Foundation and publisher, Canadian Art Magazine where she founded the renowned Reel Artists Film Festival. In addition, she has held positions with the Canadian Opera Company and the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto. Webb also has extensive experience in fundraising, most notably as vice president and managing partner at Anne Moore & Associates Fundraising Consultants for seven years. Webb has participated in numerous leadership programs, such as the noted International Leadership Program in Visual Arts Management by New York University, Deusto University and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

“At this extraordinary time in the Gallery’s history when we are experiencing unprecedented institutional growth, we are very fortunate to have attracted someone of Ann’s calibre to join the Vancouver Art Gallery leadership team. She has key international relationships with corporations, collectors, philanthropists, museum professionals, artists and curators which will serve the Gallery well,” said Kathleen S. Bartels, director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “Ann will work on a number of special initiatives, including strategic national and international fundraising and will be instrumental in creating innovative programs for the new Vancouver Art Gallery including the development of a performance art program, targeted acquisitions and an overall digital plan".

As the associate director, director of engagement and strategic initiatives, Webb will also oversee the Marketing, Communication & Public Affairs and Education & Public Programs departments.

Ann Webb will begin her tenure at the Gallery on October 11.