McMichael CEO and executive director Thomas Smart resigns after 4 years
KLEINBURG, Ont. - McMichael Canadian Art Collection CEO and executive director Thomas Smart has resigned.
Smart, who authored several award-winning books on Canadian art and artists, held the posts with the Kleinburg, Ont., gallery since July 2006.
"I am honoured to have been its leader through the significant accomplishments of the past four years and I am confident that this is the right time to begin an orderly transition in leadership," Smart said in a release.
"The current momentum, the strength of the people and the programs in place, all make me confident that the McMichael has a great future," Smart added. "The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a treasured part of Canada's cultural world."
Smart has worked at other Canadian institutions, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery and New Brunswick's Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
"We thank Tom for his dedicated service and contribution to the gallery and wish him well in his future endeavours," said Upkar Arora of McMichael's board of trustees. "Under his watch, the organization has flourished and achieved many successes."
Peter Ross, who has been the McMichael's director of development, marketing and communications for the past five years, has been appointed as CEO on an interim basis.
The gallery says Ross will work closely with Smart prior to his departure at the beginning of October.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection showcases the Group of Seven and their contemporaries.
In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including works by First Nations and Inuit artists.
