The Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Arts Board today announced the appointment of Michael Jones as Chief Executive Officer of the Arts Board, effective October 13, 2015.
“After a nation-wide search, we are thrilled to have found a leader of Michael Jones’ calibre as the CEO of the Saskatchewan Arts Board,” says Arts Board chair Pamella Acton.
Jones has had a diverse career in the arts for over 25 years, working as an artist, arts administrator, and arts funder. Since 2007, he has been the director of the performing arts program at the Metcalf Foundation, one of the largest private family foundations in Canada making significant, large grants to the performing arts sector.
“I am very excited about building on the Arts Board’s strong history of supporting the arts in Saskatchewan and finding new ways to extend our impact throughout the province. I look forward to working with individual artists, arts organizations and communities as we find new ways together for the arts to enrich community well-being, creativity, diversity and prosperity.”
At the Metcalf Foundation, Jones oversaw the creation of the Creative Strategies Incubator, (CrSi), a unique multi-year funding program. Under the CrSi program, organizations are supported to address major sectoral issues, and funded companies are encouraged to work together, sharing their learning with each other and with the wider arts sector. He also led research into the viability of shared charitable platforms for the arts sector, alternative means of supporting next generation arts practice, and social finance as a revenue tool for the arts.
Jones served as general manager of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (2001-2007) and Arraymusic (1998-2001). He has also held senior management positions with the Muki Baum Association (School of the Arts program) and Choirs Ontario.
With a graduate degree in music from the University of Western Ontario, Jones has continued to be a practicing artist. Working primarily as a director and/or music director in theatre, his credits include work with Acting Up Stage, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, The Red Barn Theatre, Theatre Scarborough, Theatre Sheridan and Victoria Playhouse Petrolia.
The Saskatchewan Arts Board was established in 1948 as the first agency of its kind in North America and second in the world to the Arts Council of Great Britain. In the decades since then, it has continued as a leader in Canada and builds on this strong tradition to meet ongoing opportunities for public investment in the arts community. The Saskatchewan Arts Board recognizes, encourages and supports the arts to enrich community well-being, creativity, diversity and prosperity. For more information on the Arts Board, visit artsboard.sk.ca.
