City hall compelled to intervene at gallery: Clark
Mayor says workplace concerns at Remai Modern must be addressed
Saskatoon city council directed city hall administration to become involved in addressing unspecified workplace concerns at the Remai Modern art gallery, Mayor Charlie Clark says.
Clark spoke to reporters at city hall on Monday in response to a statement released on Sunday night by Scott Verity, chair of the gallery’s board of trustees.
Verity’s statement acknowledged “workplace conflicts” and said there had been three formal complaints, all of which were found to be unsubstantiated by third-party investigations. A Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission complaint has yet to be resolved.
The independence of the gallery board has become a central issue in the departure of half of the board this month, including the entire executive.
“As noted last week, we had some issues arise where some workplace concerns were brought to the city’s attention, as well, and those required attention and it required the city to again work with the board to make sure they were being addressed,” Clark said.
Verity said the stress of opening a new gallery in 2017 led to conflicts. He also described the board relationship with the City of Saskatoon as “confusing and difficult.”
Other departing board members have also hinted at political interference in gallery operations.
The gallery operates in a cityowned building, but the volunteer board is in charge of running it and ensuring a “healthy and safe workplace for the staff,” Clark noted.
“The city and city council takes very seriously the integrity of the governance process and I take very seriously the integrity of that process,” he said. “We did everything we could to work with the board and make sure we can build the best gallery and operate the best gallery possible for the community.”
Clark noted the city has operated three of its facilities using the model where a board appointed by city council is responsible for the operation. Sasktel Centre and TCU Place also operate using this model.
“Issues arise at times and we have to learn from each situation,” he said. Clark did not identify the nature of the concerns; nor did Verity.
According to board secretary Alison Norlen, Clark contacted her and Verity on Feb. 13 and informed them their terms on the board would not be renewed.
That prompted four more board members to leave, including vice chair Trent Bester and treasurer Jenna Richards.
Several board members released letters that hinted at political interference and a troubled relationship between the board and the city.
In his statement, Verity outlined a progression of measures starting in April 2016 to “foster a healthy workplace culture.”
He also noted the gallery has drawn international acclaim and exceeded its ambitious targets for revenue, visitors and memberships in its first year.
The turnover on the board comes as the gallery’s executive director and CEO, Gregory Burke, prepares to leave. Friday is the last day for Burke, who is leaving to steer the Auckland Art Gallery in his hometown in New Zealand.
Burke announced he was leaving in December, but committed to stay three months to help with the transition. Verity told The Starphoenix last week that an interim CEO is not expected to be hired until the new board is in place.
The gallery is also without a chief curator and director of programming after Sandra Guimaraes left in January.