ArtSpring announces next Executive & Artistic Director
December 8, 2021
The Board of the Island Arts Centre Society (ArtSpring) is very happy to announce the appointment of Salt Spring resident Howard Jang as ArtSpring’s next Executive & Artistic Director.
Howard Jang is a senior arts and cultural leader with over 30 years’ experience running large arts organizations in Canada. He will assume this position in early January 2022, taking over from current Executive & Artistic Director, Cicela Månsson.
Walter Stewart, President of the Board, notes that the search for a new EAD attracted applications from across North America and Europe. “We were bound that we were looking for the best candidate regardless of that candidate’s location. It was a real joy to discover that the best candidate was right in our midst, having moved to Salt Spring a little more than a year ago. Howard brings an extensive and varied background in arts and arts facility management with a real commitment to the place of the arts in the community. He has an extraordinary network in the arts right across Canada and beyond which will benefit ArtSpring and its service to Salt Spring Island. One person we talked to said, “Anywhere in the arts in Canada, the name Howard Jang is gold.”
Howard Jang started his career in New York City before moving back to Vancouver in 1989, first as Orchestra Manager of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and then Executive Director of Ballet BC. Further Executive Directorships followed at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Arts Club Theatre Vancouver. More recently Jang has been Director of Simon Fraser University Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, and Vice President Arts and Leadership at the Banff Centre.
“I am thrilled to be joining ArtSpring as their next Executive and Artistic Director, and to build upon the tremendous foundational and organizational work of Cicela,” said Howard Jang. “When my wife, Alexandra, and I moved to Salt Spring last summer, we were attracted to the breadth of the artistic and creative community and intuitively felt that ArtSpring would be a home for us. I am looking forward to working with such a committed team and Board of Directors, and excited to be given this opportunity to contribute to such a vibrant organization inspired by place.”
The board and staff look forward to working with Howard in the post-pandemic renewal of ArtSpring’s service to the community, and in driving that service to new levels of support for artistic expression on Salt Spring Island.
About ArtSpring
ArtSpring is a community performing and visual arts centre on Salt Spring Island, B.C. – one of the Southern Gulf Islands off Canada’s west coast. The building boasts a 6,600-square-foot, 259-seat theatre, and a 5,200-square-foot exhibition/multi-purpose area. Artists Birgit and Robert Bateman officially opened the building in April 1999.
ArtSpring hosts 300 events each year, primarily associated with rentals by local performing and visual artists of all ages. Our curated season of professional touring artists – ArtSpring Presents – features events that are chosen to complement and enhance what is already available through local arts organizations.
