Province to switch chair, board of governors and appoints new administrator to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

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The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity has a brand new short-term administrator, changing its chair and board of governors.

Paul Baay, described in a provincial press launch as an “skilled enterprise chief, company director and founding father of Touchstone Exploration Inc.,” will, over the subsequent six to 9 months, “overview inside processes and insurance policies on the Banff Centre and tackle the duties of the board of governors till a brand new chair and board will be appointed.”

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Baay was appointed to the place by Alberta’s authorities Thursday (Oct. 26).

“We’re wanting ahead to working with Paul Baay,” mentioned Chris Lorway, Banff Centre president and CEO, who was additionally a part of the board of governors. “He has a variety of board governance experience in arts organizations. I anticipate that his overview of inside processes and insurance policies at Banff Centre will play a precious function in reinforcing our agency basis as we take Banff Centre ahead with the implementation of our strategic plans.”

Communications employees with the Banff Centre deferred questions in regards to the determination to dissolve the board of governors to the province. The Outlook reached out to the province and can replace this story as extra data turns into obtainable.

Lorway and Minister of Superior Training Rajan Sawhney mentioned they worth the efforts of all former board members.

“We deeply recognize the service of all former board members, together with the chair, authorities appointees and board of governor appointees alike, on the Banff Centre,” mentioned Sawhney in a press launch. “They’ve given their time and a spotlight to furthering this necessary establishment, and their collective contributions have positively positioned the Banff Centre for future success. This variation gives a chance to give attention to a refreshed future for the Banff Centre.

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“Paul Baay has a variety of related expertise that can make him an efficient administrator. I’m assured in his means to meet his function rather than the board of governors of the Banff Centre till a brand new chair and board are appointed.”

Beneath the Submit-Secondary Studying Act, the provincial authorities appoints people to serve on the governing boards of public post-secondary establishments, together with the Banff Centre.

In line with the press launch, when Baay was appointed, there have been 5 vacancies on the board for board-appointed members.

The precise composition of the board of governors – together with which positions have been vacant – was unknown as of the time of the provincial determination. Nevertheless, longtime chair and Banff resident Adam Waterous had served as chair since 2019.

As of Could, different board of governor positions have been comprised of Jeff van Steenbergen, Leslie Belzberg, Bob Dhillon, Ron Hallman, Lorway, Cherith Mark, Mike Mendelman, Gregorio Oberti, Raif W. Richardson and Bob Sartos.

The board of governors on the Banff Centre, established in 1933 by the College of Alberta, consists of a board chair, president, 5 government-appointed public members and 9 board-appointed members, together with one nominated to the board by the federal minister of surroundings and local weather change.

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The federal minister will put ahead a nominee for appointment to the newly constituted board as soon as it’s appointed, in keeping with the province.

The Banff Centre has not been with out controversy in recent times.

In 2021, the province rescinded board of governor Donna Kennedy-Glans. The previous MLA and affiliate minister was appointed to the board in 2019 and served as its vice chair for greater than a 12 months till she was dismissed.

The Banff Centre mentioned Kennedy-Glans’ appointment was ended after senior management had requested the province to rescind her place on the board.

She publicly advised media shops she was shocked by the choice and demanding of the transfer. She wrote in a column for Alberta Views that she believed an look on CBC Eyeopener in 2021, the place she was interviewed in regards to the ongoing disruption within the UPC occasion in opposition to former Premier Jason Kenney, started battle between her and Waterous.

In 2014, longtime Banff Centre President Jeff Melanson abruptly resigned after serving within the submit for 2 years.

Nevertheless, in 2016 throughout an annulment utility by his former spouse that claimed allegations of sexual harassment of feminine staff throughout his time on the Banff Centre.

The outstanding arts and cultural centre additionally confronted backlash in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic when it briefly laid off about 400 staff – roughly 75 per cent of its workforce – after which a number of months later completely laid off 280 of them.

Extra to return . . .

Jessica Lee is a Native Journalism Initiative reporter.

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