Anthony Kiendl to Head Vancouver Art Gallery

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Anthony Kiendl (photo by Carlos Taylhardat)

Anthony Kiendl has been appointed as CEO and director of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

“I have long admired the achievements of the Vancouver Art Gallery and its outstanding program and crucial role in exhibiting Indigenous and local artists," Kiendl said, adding he is particularly excited by plans for a new gallery. 

Kiendl, who comes to Vancouver from the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, has worked in the arts  for 25 years.

"As an accomplished arts administrator, award-winning curator, writer, educator and community builder, Kiendl is a proven leader at inspiring transformative change, diversifying audiences, building collections, broadening institutional relevance and fundraising," the gallery said in its announcement.

Kiendl will begin his tenure in mid-August. 

Born on Long Island, N.Y., Kiendl grew up in Winnipeg. He has worked in leadership roles at galleries across Western Canada, including the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art in Winnipeg, and the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina. He was also director of visual arts at the Banff Centre.

Dana Claxton, a member of the search committee, noted the worldwide response to the gallery's search.

“Anthony stood out because of his impressive expertise in the organizational development of several Canadian institutions . . . He has the ability to make an institution relevant in a particular place at a particular time and is especially cognizant of an art museum’s relationship to power, relevance and diversity.”

Kiendl takes over from Daina Augaitis, who has served as interim director for the past year.

Source: Vancouver Art Gallery