The Banff Centre has named Russell Willis Taylor, former president and CEO of the National Arts Strategies (U.S.), as a senior consultant to oversee leadership programs at The Banff Centre, effective in June.
Building on The Banff Centre’s plan to support leaders in the arts, indigenous, and corporate communities, Taylor will develop a strategic and programmatic plan for leadership programs at The Banff Centre, including those connected with the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative in partnership with the University of Alberta. In addition, Taylor, along with AEA Consulting, is working to develop and launch a best in class arts management and leadership program.
While at the National Arts Strategies (NAS), Taylor led the organization to become the U.S. leader of executive education for nonprofit cultural leaders. She was also instrumental in creating free online arts leadership courses with a graduate certificate program that broke the price barriers in an effort to attract a more diverse range of leaders.
“The Banff Centre has a reputation for attracting the world’s best artists, leaders and creative thinkers and I look forward to working with the team to further develop programs that serve leaders from artistic, Indigenous and corporate sectors,” said Russell Willis Taylor.
“Russell brings to The Banff Centre a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the arts and business management,” said Janice Price, president and CEO. “We are delighted that she will be actively involved in the design and planning of world-class leadership programming. Her background and experience will be instrumental in the delivery of our offering in the arts, Indigenous and corporate sectors.”
Russell Willis Taylor has extensive experience working in and affecting senior arts organizations around the world. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Salzburg Global Seminar, the Arts Management program at American University, the British Council’s Arts & Creative Economy Advisory Group, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
In 2013, she was honoured with the International Citation of Merit by the International Society for the Performing Arts, presented in recognition of her lifetime achievement and her distinguished service to the performing arts.
