Beaverbrook Art Gallery welcomes a NEW Executive Director with a vision for bolstering international as well as local, community connection
This month, Bernard Doucet steps into a new role as Executive Director at the esteemed Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Photo credit: Kelly Baker Photography
Mr. Bernard Doucet, former Executive Director at the Sobey Foundation for the past ten years, will take over the position of Executive Director at the esteemed Beaverbrook Art Gallery in New Brunswick this December.
Mr. Doucet, known for his leadership in arts administration and philanthropy, including over ten years as Executive Director of the Sobey Art Foundation, joins the Beaverbrook Art Gallery with an inspiring vision. As the Gallery's first Acadian leader, he aims to deepen connections with New Brunswick communities, champion Canadian artists, and elevate the Gallery as a cultural and social hub. Fully bilingual, Mr. Doucet plans to build on the Gallery’s strengths while expanding its influence on national and international stages. He will be the first Acadian to hold the position – a significant appointment for the region once known as “Acadia”.
“I believe that art has the power to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, and I look forward to working with artists and communities across New Brunswick. Together, we will nurture and promote creative talent, and bring even more visibility to one of the richest collections of artwork in North America.”
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has an outstanding collection of Canadian, British and European art in its permanent collection, including work by the Group of Seven, Salvador Dali, Lucien Freud, Shirley Bear and Emily Carr. Since its founding, the collection has grown to include a mix of contemporary and modern art from Indigenous and international artists.
We had a chance to ask Mr. Doucet a few questions about this new and exciting role and how his vision and background experience come into play with a focus on community engagement.
Executive Director of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery: Bernard Doucet
C.A.D : What are some of the ways a legacy institution can ensure that it is best serving local communities?
B.D: “A legacy institution, like any cultural institution that aspires to serve its community, can make sure that it’s serving the local community by listening to and consulting with them. We can make sure that we are asking for their input, about what’s missing from what we are doing, while always being mindful of the fact that the institution, in this case the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, exists to serve them foremost. As with any enterprise, we have to make sure we are talking to them, and working to understand what makes our space, our programming and our institution relevant, visitable, and desirable as a place to spend time. It comes down to actively putting yourself in front of people - not just communities, but individuals - and inviting them in.”
C.A.D: Are there ways legacy institutions like the Beaverbrook Art Gallery can better support emerging artists?
B.D: “For more than decade I have worked with emerging artists and talent through the Sobey Art Award and the programming for the Sobey Art Foundation. One of the things I’ve noticed consistently is that artists value when they are listened to by institutions, respected, and engaged with in a way that reflects their professional experience and skill. My belief is that the way to support emerging artists is to not only offer them a stronger brand as an institution to support them and offer them a platform for recognition, but to engage with them in a deeply professional way.”
C.A.D: How will the gallery work towards its goal of being an internationally recognized art institution?
B.D: “To begin with, we will continue to pursue excellence in our programming and ensure that the quality of our exhibitions and visitor experience is on-par with the best museums and galleries in the world. On top of that, we will be very proactive in soliciting partnerships, collaborations and dialogues with international institutions. In doing so, we will proudly provide a platform for artists from Atlantic Canada, not only within Canada, but across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and beyond.”
Photo credit: Kelly Baker Photography
Photo credit: Kelly Baker Photography
On behalf of the Canadian Art Daily Team, we would like to congratulate Mr.Doucet and look forward to seeing his vision come to life!
Web: www.beaverbrookartgallery.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeaverbrookArtGallery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaverbrook_ag
