Banff Centre board ousted

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Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (courtesy of Staib, Wikimedia Commons)

The Government of Alberta has removed the entire board of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Oil executive Paul R. Baay has replaced the directors, effective immediately. He will “review internal processes and policies at the Banff Centre and take on the responsibilities of the board of governors until a new chair and board can be appointed," the provincial government announced in a news release Oct. 26.

The province’s UCP government gave no reason for the decision.

"This change offers an opportunity to focus on a refreshed future for the Banff Centre," Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney says in the government’s news release.

Baay is currently also the board chair of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. He was on the board of the National Gallery of Canada for more than 14 years and he spent four years on the board of the Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts.)

In the past fiscal year, the Banff Centre's total revenue was $47.5 million, compared to the roughly $70 million it made in pre-pandemic years. ■

Source: Alberta government press release

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