Contemporary Calgary announces new Director and CEO

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Pierre Arpin

Contemporary Calgary announces the appointment of its first Director & Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Arpin, following an exhaustive international search.

"I am thrilled to be returning to Canada and to be joining Contemporary Calgary at this very exciting time. Contemporary Calgary has a dynamic, active board and I look forward to working with them, and with the community, to strengthen the presence of modern and contemporary art in this city."

- Pierre Arpin

Mr. Arpin will take up his duties on April 5, 2016  He is an experienced museum professional who has been actively involved in museum and art gallery management for more than 20 years. In his most recent role as Director, Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory, Pierre oversaw the transition of the museum from a division of a government department to a stand-alone statutory authority. Prior to this, Pierre held the position of General Manager, Collections and Exhibitions Management at the National Gallery of Victoria where he oversaw six departments of this significant art museum. 

In Canada, Pierre held the following directorships: The Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Art Gallery of Sudbury. Pierre has held senior management roles at the Canada Council for the Arts (Head, Visual Arts) and at the Ottawa Art Gallery. In 2004, Pierre was appointed by the Governor in Council of the Parliament of Canada to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, a position he held until 2007. Encouraging best practice and professional dialogue in the field of museum and art galleries, Pierre chaired the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organisation (2003-2005).

He participated as an Executive Committee Member for the Council of Australasian Museum Directors (2012-2015); as a member of the National Council of Museums Australia (2013-15); and as a member of the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors (2011-2015). Pierre holds an M.A. (Art History) from the Université de Montréal and a BFA (Visual Arts – Honours, Studio) from the University of Ottawa.

Report courtesy of Contemporary Calgary.