Director – Surrey Art Gallery
/JOB TITLE:
Director – Surrey Art Gallery
ORGANIZATION:
Surrey Art Gallery
DEADLINE:
Feb. 28, 2026
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Widely recognized for its award-winning education programs and exhibitions, Surrey Art Gallery has been a leading contemporary art institution for 50 years. The Gallery is committed to engaging the public in an ongoing dialogue about issues and ideas that affect our lives. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to serve and shape the future of Surrey Art Gallery, a “Class A” art museum, and one of British Columbia’s most respected public art galleries.
The future is bright in Surrey. Soon to be the most populous city in the province, the City of Surrey has bold plans to develop a vibrant downtown, with a new Interactive Art Museum (60,000 sq. ft.) serving as the signature cultural institution of the emerging City Centre Entertainment District. Expected to be five times larger than the current Surrey Art Gallery footprint within Surrey Arts Centre, the Interactive Art Museum will be a region-serving contemporary art institution featuring exceptional exhibitions, programs, and events.
Founded in 1975, Surrey Art Gallery presents contemporary art by local, national, and international artists, including digital and audio art. Recognized for its award-winning programs, the Gallery engages children through to adults in ongoing conversations that affect our lives and provides opportunities to interact with artists and the artistic process. The Gallery is located at 13750 88 Avenue in Surrey on the unceded territories of the Salish Peoples, including the Katzie, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo nations. Surrey Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges operating funding from the City of Surrey, Province of BC through the BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Surrey Art Gallery Association.
WEBSITE:
https://www.surrey.ca/about-surrey/jobs-careers
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The City of Surrey is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Gallery Director to lead a talented team of curators, educators, programmers, instructors, and volunteers in delivering extraordinary exhibitions and programs reflective of the communities it serves, while continuing to focus on the Gallery’s future. The Director will champion access and inclusion, creativity, and artistic excellence, while fostering partnerships with artists, organizations, communities, and residents.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead the institution’s programming and operations to meet or exceed national standards of excellence
Guide the development of the institution’s future, anticipating a new facility
Lead strategic planning initiatives and implement their objectives
Coach, mentor, and supervise senior staff
Connect and develop relationships with the public, arts and business communities, and all levels of government
Prepare and manage annual operating budgets and document and develop business needs
Oversee fundraising activities, including grants, private sector sponsorships, and donations
Coordinate and participate in public relations and promotional activities regionally and nationally
Participate in City cultural planning initiatives as a member of the Cultural Services leadership team
Serve ex officio to the Surrey Art Gallery Association Board, supporting strategic planning work and board development
Prepare and deliver presentations and reports on Gallery operations and future plans to funders, City Council, committees, and other stakeholders
QUALIFICATIONS:
University degree in a related discipline (arts, cultural management, art history, museum studies, etc.); graduate-level education is an asset
Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in the delivery of cultural programs and services, including facility management and staff supervision
Deep and broad knowledge of contemporary arts and regional and national arts communities, including emerging trends and practices
Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage a large, high-performing staff team
Strong ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse staff, community stakeholders, artists, arts organizations, and the public
Demonstrated ability authoring reports and grant applications and delivering presentations to a broad range of audiences
Strong strategic thinking, research, analytical, project-management, and problem-solving skills
Sound knowledge of budget management, planning, and forecasting
Experience with cultural infrastructure projects and long-range planning
Knowledge of collective agreements and experience managing in a unionized environment
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize competing demands
Experience working in a municipal environment is an asset
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply at https://www.surrey.ca/about-surrey/jobs-careers to Job ID 6737.
REMUNERATION:
$108,999 – $128,234
