Executive Director

Leadership Position – Executive Director

Campbell River and District Public Art Gallery

Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada

Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Position Type: 30–35hrs/week, Permanent

Application Review Begins: June 1, 2026

Posting Open Until Filled

The Campbell River Art Gallery (CRAG) is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and community‑minded Executive Director to lead one of Vancouver Island’s northernmost contemporary public art galleries into its next chapter.

This is an opportunity for a thoughtful and ambitious cultural leader to help shape the future of a growing institution deeply connected to artists, community, and contemporary social dialogue.

About the Campbell River Art Gallery

Founded in 1994, the Campbell River Art Gallery has grown from a small community gallery into a respected contemporary public art institution serving northern Vancouver Island and coastal communities. Today, the Gallery’s activities receive secure support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the BC Arts Council among other funders.

Located on the unceded territories of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ peoples, the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Kwiakah First Nations, the Gallery is situated in the heart of downtown Campbell River, a rapidly evolving and beautiful coastal city known for its strong community networks, natural environment, and growing cultural sector.

The Gallery is undergoing organizational transformation and renewal within the context of rapid growth and redevelopment of Campbell River’s downtown core. The CRAG’s stabilized planning, funding, and practices are ready for the right Executive Director to leverage with enormous potential returns. Campbell River’s Arts Alliance, a network of the city’s public arts & culture institutions, stands in strong solidarity and relationship. The long‑term growth potential, focused on sustainability, public engagement, accessibility, Indigenous relationship‑building, and contemporary artistic excellence, is very promising indeed.

The Gallery presents exhibitions and public programming by professional artists, curators, cultural leaders, and Knowledge Keepers from Campbell River and across Canada, with a particular focus on supporting Indigenous artists and historically underrepresented voices within contemporary visual and media arts practice.

The CRAG is committed to decolonization, accessibility, equity, justice, care, and meaningful community connection through the arts.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership of the organization. We are seeking an individual already familiar with the local community or willing to commit the time and energy necessary to establish strong and enduring relationships in Campbell River and the neighbouring region.

The successful candidate will guide the Gallery through its next phase of organizational development while strengthening relationships with artists, funders, First Nations, community partners, audiences, and supporters.

This position requires a collaborative leader who is equally comfortable with strategic planning and hands‑on organizational management within a smaller but ambitious public arts institution.

The Executive Director will work closely with staff, contractors, volunteers, artists, curators, and the Board to ensure the Gallery’s ongoing sustainability, relevance, and public impact.

Note that successful applicants will receive substantial direct support and onboarding assistance from the current Interim Co‑Directors to ensure a successful transition.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

• Provide visionary and collaborative leadership aligned with the Gallery’s mission, values, and strategic priorities;
• Support organizational sustainability, growth, and operational development;
• Foster a healthy, equitable, and respectful workplace culture;
• Lead strategic planning processes and organizational evaluation initiatives.
• Support Curatorial and Programming development and direction as required.

Financial Management & Administration

• Develop and oversee annual operating budgets, financial forecasting, and cash flow management;
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and accountability to the Board, funders, and regulatory bodies;
• Maintain organizational compliance with policies, reporting requirements, insurance obligations, and nonprofit regulations;
• Support long‑term operational sustainability and infrastructure development.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead fundraising, sponsorship, donor cultivation, and revenue diversification initiatives;
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities across municipal, provincial, federal, and foundation sectors;
• Maintain strong relationships with public funders including the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, City of Campbell River and others;
• Support the development of earned revenue and community partnership opportunities.

Community & Sector Relations

• Represent the Gallery publicly within the community and broader arts sector;
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with First Nations, artists, cultural organizations, businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and community partners;
• Strengthen the Gallery’s role as a cultural hub for Campbell River and the region;
• Actively participate in community events, sector gatherings, advocacy initiatives, and public speaking opportunities.

Staff & Operations

• Oversee Gallery operations, staffing, human resources, and organizational systems;
• Support staff mentorship, professional development, and team coordination;
• Oversee volunteer engagement and organizational capacity‑building;
• Ensure the successful delivery of exhibitions, education, and public programs in collaboration with curatorial and programming staff—including contracting for curatorial support as needed.

Governance

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support governance, strategic planning, policy development, and organizational accountability;
• Prepare written reports, recommendations, and presentations for Board meetings and committees;
• Support effective communication between the Board and staff.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of leadership experience, organizational capacity, and commitment to contemporary arts and public service.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of senior leadership or management experience, preferably within the nonprofit, arts, culture, or public sector;
• Experience managing organizational budgets, reporting, and financial systems;
• Experience securing grants, fundraising, and developing external partnerships;
• Experience supervising and supporting staff and volunteers;
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and public communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities within a dynamic environment;
• Understanding of nonprofit governance and Board relations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within the contemporary arts sector in Canada;
• Knowledge of public gallery operations and arts funding systems;
• Substantive familiarity with Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Gaming, and Municipal operating structures and reporting requirements;
• Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and artists;
• Experience leading organizational change, growth, or rebuilding processes;
• Post‑secondary education in arts administration, nonprofit management, cultural management, business administration, visual arts, or a related field.

Knowledge & Competencies

• Cultural safety, humility, and trauma‑informed leadership practices;
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and decolonial approaches;
• Strong organizational, relationship‑building, and conflict resolution skills;
• Strategic thinking combined with practical operational capacity;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team environment.

Working Conditions

• In person, full‑time;
• Occasional evening and weekend work required for events, openings, and Board meetings;
• Some provincial and regional travel may be required.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience;
• A current resume or CV; and
• Three professional references for contact.

Applications should be sent to:

edhire@crartgallery.ca

Please use the subject line:

“Executive Director Application – [Your Name]”

Applications will begin being reviewed on June 1, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Campbell River Art Gallery is committed to equitable hiring practices and strongly encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized communities.

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