Toronto, April 23, 2019 – The Board of Directors of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has announced the search for OAC’s next CEO in preparation for a smooth transition when current Director & CEO Peter Caldwell steps down in December 2019, after eight years as head of the organization. Caldwell informed the OAC board two years ago that he would not seek a renewal term, believing that the new decade would be an auspicious time for a change in OAC leadership. Among other things, OAC will launch its new strategic planning process in 2020, under the direction of the next CEO.

The selection committee is being led by OAC Chair Rita Davies, along with board members Judith Gelber (Toronto), Janet Stewart (London), Karim Karsan (Toronto), Jill Reitman (Toronto), David Tsubouchi (Baltimore, Ontario), and OAC’s Director of Human Resources, Nina Small. OAC has retained Searchlight Partners to undertake a Canada-wide search.

The OAC board will be looking for someone who is passionate about the arts in Ontario, with a proven track record of leadership in a senior role within an arts/cultural institution or related public sector institution of similar scope to OAC. This individual will be politically astute and able to navigate the complex nature of a multi-stakeholder government funded agency. In addition to being responsible for the recognized transparency of granting programs, she or he will be aligned with OAC’s values of excellence, innovation, diversity, equity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and accountability to the people of Ontario.

The deadline for applications is Sunday June 16, 2019, end of day.

The Ontario Arts Council is Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activity. The CEO directs and administers all OAC programs and operations and supervises a 65-person staff.

For more information

Nina Small
Director of Human Resources
416-969-7426  | toll-free in Ontario: 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7426 
[email protected]

Kirsten Gunter
Director of Communications
416-969-7403 | toll-free in Ontario: 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7403
[email protected]