Winnipeg Art Gallery's Two Management Appointments

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is welcoming Riva Symko as head of collections and exhibitions and curator of Canadian art, as well as Julia Lafreniere as manager of Indigenous initiatives. 

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Riva Symko

Symko will develop the curatorial vision and exhibitions program, as well as oversee the gallery’s collection of Canadian art. 

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Skye Spence

Julia Lafreniere

Lafreniere will work to build capacity for Indigenous programs and partnerships. Her position is supported in part by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Symko’s experience includes some 15 years in academic, curatorial and administrative positions. Most recently, she served as assistant professor of art history, and curator and director of the Kimura Gallery and the ARC Gallery at the University of Alaska in Anchorage.

She has taught at the University of Lethbridge, Memorial University and Queen’s University and  holds a PhD in art history from Queen’s.

Lafreniere is Metis from Treaty 4 Territory and has 17 years of experience in relationship and capacity-building in Indigenous communities.

She has served as a market research analyst at APTN since 2012, and was a communications specialist at the broadcaster from 2006 to 2008.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Indigenous studies and psychology from the University of Manitoba.

Source: Winnipeg Art Gallery