OTTAWA, June 12, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Gallery of Canada Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Colby-Stothart as the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer. Starting July 1st, Ms. Colby-Stothart will take the helm of the not-for-profit organization whose key mission is to raise capital, and to manage and grow an endowment for the benefit of the National Gallery of Canada.
Commenting on the appointment, the Foundation's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Thomas d'Aquino said: "We could not have asked for a better leader for the Foundation at this time. As a highly experienced executive in the art museum sector, Karen brings with her an impressive background in the visual arts, in program design and in the nurturing of donor relationships. She commands respect in Canada and abroad, and will be a major catalyst in realizing the Foundation's ambitious goals."
"I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity", said Ms. Colby-Stothart. "One of the most important challenges is to build a philanthropy program uniquely suited to a major fine art museum - one that responds to patrons with various interests - including the highly specialized collectors and donors who are increasingly looking for innovative ways to partner. This is where I think I can really contribute." Ms. Colby-Stothart plans to spend the summer months refining strategic priorities and building a new team.
The Chief Executive Officer and Director of the National Gallery, Marc Mayer, enthusiastically welcomes the appointment of Ms. Colby-Stothart. "Karen is one of a kind, a seasoned executive who is ideally suited to build support for the Gallery by reaching out to the donor community which she knows so well. My team and I very much look forward to working with Karen. The Foundation's role is of critical importance to the advancement and realization of our plans for the Gallery's future."
Ms. Colby-Stothart holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (1983) in Art History and a Masters degree in Art Conservation (1986), from Queen's University in Kingston. Her career in the arts stretches over thirty years with major Canadian museums including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and over twenty years with the National Gallery of Canada where she most recently held the position of Deputy Director, Exhibitions and Outreach.
Under her direction, the National Gallery of Canada presented programming of the very highest caliber to Canadians across the country and showcased Canada's artists to the world. "Karen's experience in management, building key relationships and new alliances, and her tremendous passion for the visual arts will be invaluable to the advancement of the Foundation's mission", added Thomas d'Aquino.
About the National Gallery of Canada Foundation
Founded in 1997, the National Gallery of Canada Foundation is a not-for-profit registered charity. Composed of a volunteer Board of Directors, its primary mission is to cultivate support in Canada and abroad, to raise capital, and to manage and grow an endowment for the benefit of the National Gallery. The Foundation benefits from the support of its Distinguished Patrons initiative launched in 2005. Through their financial support and donations of works of art, the Patrons which hail from all parts of Canada contribute to the Gallery's collections and exhibitions. In 2009, the Foundation launched The American Friends of the National Gallery of Canada to facilitate the support of art patrons living in the United States.
To learn more about Karen Colby-Stothart and the role of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, please visit http://www.ngcfoundation.ca/.
About the National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art, including the extensive collection of the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. To do so, it maintains one of the largest touring art exhibition programmes in the world. For more information: www.gallery.ca
Image with caption: "Karen Colby-Stothart, Chief Executive Officer, National Gallery of Canada Foundation (CNW Group/National Gallery of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130612_C7483_PHOTO_EN_27915.jpg
SOURCE: National Gallery of Canada
Cheryl Eadie
Executive Assistant to Thomas d'Aquino
613-695-0833
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