Gallery Welcomes Matthew Hills to Oversee Transition to Waterfront
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is pleased to announce the selection of Matthew Hills (he/him/they) as the new Executive Director. Hills, his partner, and their young family look forward to calling Thunder Bay home this September. Hills says, “Accepting this unique opportunity to lead an important visual arts institution so closely connected to its city and the communities it serves is an honour. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is a central part of a vibrant cultural community and it cares for a world class collection of art from across the country.”
Hills grew up in Muskoka, Ontario and achieved his MA in Art History from the University of British Columbia. He has worked across Canada at various art organizations over the last 15 years in both administrative and curatorial positions, with a focus on collections. Over the last six years, Hills has served as Director and Curator for Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Grenfell Art Gallery. Prior to this, Hills has worked in a curatorial capacity for the Vancouver Art Gallery, Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University, and the University of Alberta.
He succeeds Sharon Godwin, who is stepping down as the Executive Director after 42 years of service and longstanding dedication to the gallery. Hills is excited to be joining the gallery as it works towards changing locations to the city’s waterfront. Of this development, Hills says, “I look forward to supporting the important work of gallery staff as we transition to the city’s waterfront, to an exciting new facility, cultivating creative ideas, celebrating the region’s history, and continuing to nurture an institution that is artistically adventurous and culturally inclusive.”
We look forward to welcoming Hills to the community as he embarks on this new endeavour.
By Sidney Ulakovic
