BC Alliance for Arts + Culture Appoints Kayleigh Harrison as Interim Executive Director

Photo credit J. Abram Photography

The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture is pleased to announce the appointment of Kayleigh Harrison, JD, MBA, a respected senior arts administrator and former Director of Development for Vancouver Opera, as Interim Executive Director. Ms. Harrison, whose engagement begins July 2, 2026, will work closely with outgoing Executive Director Rainbow Robert, to ensure a smooth and effective leadership handover.

Rainbow Robert will be stepping into the new position of Executive Director of ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island, after serving in the role of Executive Director at the BC Alliance since 2022. BC Alliance Board Chair, Gillian Jones, notes: “The Alliance is deeply grateful to Rainbow Robert for her thoughtful leadership over the past four years. Rainbow is a passionate advocate for the arts and culture sector.

She steadily guided the Alliance through a period of industry-wide challenges, identifying and leading transformative initiatives such as Arts on Prescription. On behalf of the Board, we thank Rainbow, and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter at ArtSpring.”

“It has been an honour to serve the community in this role, and an inspiration to witness the heart and commitment that every member of the astoundingly beautiful arts and culture ecology brings to their work.” said Rainbow Robert.

“I look forward to continuing to be part of a creative ecosystem that is brimming with dedication, and to upholding our shared values and belief in the arts as a catalyst for the change that we wish to see in the world.

“I would like to extend heart felt appreciation and respect to my collaborators, and gratitude to the staff and Board at the BC Alliance for their unwavering support. I have great confidence that the future of the organization will be in extremely capable hands led by Kayleigh Harrison and a talented and diverse Board of Directors.”

Kayleigh Harrison is a non-profit consultant, writer, and creative based in Victoria. Her work centres around a collaborative, values-based approach for teams and organizations going through change, transformation, and revitalization.

Trained as a classical singer with degrees in music performance from the University of Saskatchewan and UBC, Harrison later pursued both a law degree and MBA at UVic. Her research in both degrees focused on arts organizations’ structures, networks, and leadership.

As Director of Development at Vancouver Opera, Ms. Harrison rebuilt the organization’s contributed revenue function from the ground up. She is known for her enthusiastic, people-centric approach to building the architecture that empowers meaningful work.

“I am thrilled to join the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture at this time,” shares Harrison. “Our sector thrives when we speak with a strong, unified voice, and I commend Rainbow Robert for her exceptional leadership of the organization. I am excited to bring my background in both organizational health and partnership-building to the Alliance, and I can’t wait to start connecting with members and stakeholders about their priorities for our work.”

Harrison’s role will include key support for the BC Alliance as it develops its long-range strategic and leadership plans.

“Kayleigh brings a strong complement of arts leadership and cross-sectoral expertise, a highly strategic mindset, and deep commitment to relationship-building,” says Jones. “The Board is confident she will be a compelling advocate for the sector, while making meaningful connections with our members across the province.”