Vancouver Art Gallery CEO Departs as Gallery Rethinks $600M Expansion Plans

The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is undergoing a leadership change as it rethinks the future of its long-planned downtown expansion.

On Tuesday, the gallery’s board of trustees announced the departure of CEO and executive director Anthony Kiendl, who had held the role since August 2020 and guided the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the board said Kiendl is leaving to “pursue other professional and personal interests,” VAG board chair Jon Stovell confirmed to CBC News that the decision coincides with a major shift in the gallery’s capital project — a new facility planned for the corner of Cambie and West Georgia streets.

“It just seemed like a suitable time to amicably go in different directions,” said Stovell.
“We’re looking at a different version of the capital project now, and Anthony had other things he wanted to pursue.”

Kiendl will stay involved as curator of Lucy Raven: Murderers Bar, an exhibition opening April 18.

Interim leadership in place

While the gallery takes time to redefine its leadership needs, two of Kiendl’s senior colleagues will step into interim roles:

• Eva Respini, Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs

• Sirish Rao, Senior Director of Public Engagement and Learning

Stovell praised both as “highly regarded in the arts community.”

“We’re going to evaluate our leadership requirements and map those onto our plan going forward over the next few years,” he said.

Scrapped design prompts fresh start

The shakeup comes just months after VAG abandoned its original $600 million design for the new gallery — which had been in development for over a decade — after projected costs skyrocketed by more than 50 per cent.

“Many in the community have criticized it as being overly ambitious, and I think there’s an element of truth to that,” said Stovell.

Now, the gallery is accepting more modest proposals from Canadian architectural firms and expects to finalize a new concept by late May or early June.

The City of Vancouver remains committed to the project and is continuing to provide the Georgia and Cambie site at no cost, under a 99-year lease.

“While some have suggested we look at retrofitting old department stores like Nordstrom or the Bay, they’re actually less cost-effective,” said Stovell, citing high renovation and lease costs.

A ‘relay race’ of leadership

Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, who also sits on the gallery’s board, likened the long journey of the expansion to a “relay race.”

“Anthony joined during COVID — a very demanding time — and brought on a strong leadership team,” she said. “Now we’re excited to move forward with this project in a pragmatic way that reflects today’s cost environment.”

Stovell echoed the sentiment, saying every VAG director since the capital project’s inception — roughly 14 years ago — has carried it forward.

“All non-profits are struggling with the economics of these large projects,” he said. “But there’s still tremendous positivity and support behind this vision.”