[BCMA] Fond Farewell to KAG Executive Director Margaret Chrumka

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

KAG Bids a Fond Farewell to Executive Director Margaret Chrumka

The Kamloops Art Gallery Board of Trustees announces the departure of Executive Director, Margaret Chrumka. After 12 years with the Gallery, Margaret will be joining the management team at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria starting January 2025.

“Margaret's contributions to the Kamloops Art Gallery and the broader community have been truly invaluable. Her leadership, vision, and deep passion for the arts have left an indelible mark on our organization and on the cultural fabric of Kamloops. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Margaret has been a cherished friend and mentor to many. We will deeply miss her presence, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours, confident that she will continue to inspire wherever she goes,” shares Richard Marken, President, Board of Trustees, Kamloops Art Gallery.

Margaret has guided the professionalization of the Gallery, grown audience engagement significantly, and cemented the Gallery’s position in Canada’s visual arts ecosystem. Through her roles as Vice President of the Canadian Art Museums Directors Organization-Organisation des directeurs des musées d’art Canadian, on the Board of the Canadian Museums Association, committee member with the BC Museums Association, and on various City-guided committees, Margaret has ensured that the Kamloops Art Gallery remains a leader in providing opportunities for artists and audiences.

“I will never forget my first exhibition opening in September 2012 with just under 40 supporters joining us. I quickly realized we could do more to connect with our community in support of artists. I’m honoured that our exhibition openings now see well over 300 arts enthusiasts and annual attendance has grown significantly year over year,” says Margaret. “The Gallery is a place of rigour and excellence, and the community shows up!”

During Margaret’s tenure school program attendance has quadrupled, the biannual outdoor video art event Luminocity sees tens of thousands of visitors during its nine-day run, and overall visits to the Gallery have grown 35% this past year. After a decade of significant effort, Margaret’s role on the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society realized success with the city’s new arts centre poised to break ground.

“Margaret has guided and championed the KAG through her inspiring and supportive leadership for over a decade. We will miss her unwavering enthusiasm for art, artists, and the community, as well as her steady support for each of us who work at the KAG. Her deeply caring and supportive approach to leadership has buoyed me in my curatorial practice and encouraged me to always do my best work. This commitment to excellence and Margaret’s remarkable skill for relationship building has strengthened KAG’s reputation nationally. While I am sad to see her move on, I am excited about this new opportunity for Margaret. Any arts organization is lucky to have her as part of their team,” shares Charo Neville, Curator, Kamloops Art Gallery

The Board of Trustees have formed a hiring committee with the national search for a new Executive Director to begin in the coming weeks.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Margaret for her 12 years of exceptional leadership. Her vision and dedication have elevated the Gallery’s reputation locally and nationally, significantly growing community engagement and solidifying our position as a leader in the arts. As we begin the search for a new Executive Director, we are committed to building on the strong foundation she has created. The Board wishes Margaret continued success and happiness in her new position,” shares the Kamloops Art Gallery, Board of Trustees.

About the Kamloops Art Gallery

The Kamloops Art Gallery, established in 1978, is situated on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people. The largest art gallery in Secwepemcúl̓ecw (the Interior of British Columbia), the Gallery offers national caliber art experiences through a diverse range of accessible and affordable exhibitions, talks, tours, and studio-based programming for all ages and abilities, and boasts a collection of over 3,000 works of art.



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MARGARET CHRUMKA [she/her]
eXECUTIVE dIRECTOR
mchrumka at kag.bc.ca<mailto:mchrumka at kag.bc.ca>
250.377.2400 ext. 2412


KAMLOOPS ART GALLERY
101 – 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC  V2C 2A9
250.377.2400  |  www.kag.bc.ca<http://www.kag.bc.ca/>


The Kamloops Art Gallery is situated on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people.

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