Gardiner Museum

Alexandra Montgomery Steps Down as Gardiner Museum Executive Director

February 11, 2013

TORONTO – February 8, 2013 – After 14 years serving as the Gardiner Museum’s Executive Director, Alexandra Montgomery will be stepping down from the position effective February 28.

She will be replaced by Rachel Gotlieb, Chief Curator at the Museum who will take on the additional role of Interim Executive Director, effective March 1.
Alexandra’s decision to step down was related to her upcoming move to Vancouver where she will be able to join her husband Howard Jang and also assume the role of VP Philanthropy at Tides Canada.

Alexandra will continue to provide valuable counsel to the Gardiner Museum as a volunteer Special Advisor to the Board, to ensure the gallery continues to build on the evolution and tremendous momentum created during her term.

Throughout her time as Executive Director, she oversaw the physical transformation of the Gardiner Museum, and attracted significant gifts to the collection. She worked closely with the Board, and led a team that ensured a strategic plan was in place to see the Museum thrive financially, as a result generating better than breakeven budgets. In addition, she helped attract operating grants from all three levels of government, and facilitated bringing in high quality programming. An exciting 2013 exhibit schedule is already under way and continues with a landmark exhibit Transformation by Fire, set to open February 7– running through April 28.

“We are pleased Rachel Gotlieb will be filling in on an interim basis,” said Karen Sheriff, Chair, Gardiner Museum Board of Trustees. “Rachel is an integral part of the institution and beyond her curatorial duties welcomes the opportunity to lead the day to day Museum operations at this time. The Board will be working closely with Rachel to ensure a seamless transition.” “The Board of Trustees wholeheartedly thanks Alexandra for her exemplary efforts and outstanding contribution to the Museum. We wish her well in her future endeavors and as she settles into her new home at Tides Canada in Vancouver.

“Her significant and lengthy contribution has had a remarkably positive impact. During Alexandra’s tenure, the Gardiner has grown to become one of the world’s most respected ceramic museums,” Sheriff added. A Board-led search will be conducted to fill the permanent Executive Director position. Opened in 1984 by George and Helen Gardiner to house their collection of ancient American artifacts and European pottery and porcelain, The Gardiner Museum has matured into a rare, specialized institution with a uniquely committed family of staff, volunteers and Board of Trustees, who continue to work together to fulfill the important and growing role the institution plays in Toronto's cultural community.

- 30 -

About the Gardiner Museum

The Gardiner Museum connects people, art and ideas by offering an intimate look at one of the world’s oldest and most universal art forms - ceramics. The Museum’s collections span continents and time, giving a glimpse into the development of ceramic processes, decoration and form. Year-round, the Museum mounts special exhibitions, events, lectures and clay classes to complement its permanent collection. The Museum also features a casual café that serves delicious fare, and the Gardiner Shop, which specializes in artist-designed, artist-made merchandise. More information about the Museum and its exhibitions can be found online at www.gardinermuseum.com. Members of the media can register to access the Gardiner Museum’s online media room (www.gardinermuseum.com/mediaroom) where they may download images and additional media materials.

For more information please contact:

Lisa Raffaele
PUNCH Canada
o. 416.360.6522 x239
c. 647.896.0743
lisa@punchcanada.com