Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Appoints Temporary Administrator

The government of Alberta, Canada, has appointed Paul Baay to the role, after dismissing Banff Center’s board and management

In Canada, the provincial government of Alberta has appointed Paul Baay as temporary administrator at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, replacing the current chair and board of governors. 

According to CBC News, this announcement comes as all 10 board directors have been dismissed from Banff Center, due to an internal disagreement over how to deal with a report — claiming the board chair of the Banff Centre had harassed an executive.

The workplace harassment complaint was filed in late 2022 by then-CEO Janice Price against board chair Adam Waterous. She maintained that Waterous believed that she had not played a role in choosing her successor, which he said contravened board process, reported The Globe and Mail.

Founded in 1933 by the University of Alberta, the Banff Center board of governors usually comprises a chair, president, five government-appointed public members, and nine board-appointed members. At the time of Baay’s appointment, there were five vacancies for board-appointed members, wrote the Calgary Herald.

Over the next six to nine months, Baay will review internal processes and policies at the organization and take on the responsibilities of the board of governors until a new chair and board is appointed.

The president and CEO of Touchstone Exploration Inc., Baay has worked for various oil and gas companies across the past 25 years. He is the current chair of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and served on the board of the National Gallery of Canada for over 14 years.

“We’re looking forward to working with Paul Baay. He has a wide range of Board governance expertise in arts organizations,” said Banff Center’s president and CEO Chris Lorway in a statement. “I expect that his review of internal processes and policies at Banff Centre will play a valuable role in reinforcing our firm foundation as we take Banff Centre forward with the implementation of our strategic plan. 

“The administrator’s terms of reference articulate that his focus will be on governance matters, particularly processes and policies,” Lorway continued. “We want to reinforce that Banff Centre will continue its work to offer exceptional arts and leadership programs and events. This announcement is strictly linked to governance improvement, not financial, management, or programmatic matters. I’d also like to thank the departing board members for their time, expertise and passion.”

“We deeply appreciate the service of all former board members, including the chair, government appointees and board of governor appointees alike, at the Banff Centre,” added Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education in a press release. “They have given their time and attention to furthering this important institution, and their collective contributions have positively positioned the Banff Centre for future success. This change offers an opportunity to focus on a refreshed future for the Banff Centre.

“Paul Baay has a wide range of relevant experience that will make him an effective administrator,” Sawhney said. “I am confident in his ability to fulfill his role in place of the board of governors of the Banff Centre until a new chair and board are appointed.”