Mayor disputes interference claim
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark denied claims that city council is trying to impose its own vision on the Remai Modern art gallery, but offered little insight into the leadership turnover.
Clark spoke to reporters Wednesday at city hall to respond to claims made by former executive director and CEO Gregory Burke that political interference by city council threatens the gallery’s credibility.
Burke said in a letter published this week by the Starphoenix that there was an active campaign to remove him and suggested upheaval on the board was related to differing visions for the gallery. Clark repeated his past statements on the gallery, that council only became involved to address workplace concerns that he did not identify.
“That’s our job and our focus is to ensure the health and integrity of the gallery,” Clark said. “Any allegation that this is about political philosophy, differences, competing political visions of the gallery or anything along those lines are simply wrong.”
Clark said he does not know why Burke would suggest there had been political interference.
Departing board members have also claimed city hall meddling became a problem.
Seven board members left as of Tuesday night, when a new board was appointed. City council appoints the board, which is expected to operate independently, although the board includes two councillors.
Clark reportedly told board chair Scott Verity and secretary Alison Norlen in February their appointments would not be renewed. That prompted four board resignations.
“Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions,” Clark said Wednesday.
He suggested staff turnover in the first year was “quite significant.”
Verity has said three formal complaints were found to be unsubstantiated.
“The reality is that there were multiple concerns and that they persisted over time,” Clark said.
He called claims by a departed board member that meetings were dominated by Coun. Cynthia Block and Coun. Mairin Loewen “very concerning,” but added: “It’s not always an easy job.”
Clark, who served on the board as a councillor, acknowledged he was part of the board that hired Burke. He only mentioned Burke by name once in a 10-minute media scrum.
“I have tremendous respect for the work that everybody has put into building this building, including Mr. Burke,” Clark said.
Burke wrote in a letter to the Starphoenix this week that the “relentless machinations” of Saskatoon city hall hindered the gallery.
Burke resigned in December to take a similar job at the Auckland Art Gallery in his hometown in New Zealand. Burke has since bowed out of that job because he said an “unproven allegation” that dates back to 2013 became a distraction.
Burke said in an email Wednesday that his five-year contract at Remai Modern was renewed for another five years starting May 1, 2018. The board was supposed to renew his contract by Oct. 31, 2017, right after the gallery opened, but he was left hanging until March 31, 2018, he said.
Letting council appoint the board makes the gallery “susceptible to the whim of political interference,” he added.
Burke said the leadership exodus is a result of differing visions for the gallery, with some advocating for a closer resemblance to the Mendel Art Gallery that closed in 2015 to make way for the Remai Modern
Clark acknowledged some unhappiness with the new art gallery, but said he hears fewer complaints since it opened.
The gallery is also without a chief curator and director of programming after Sandra Guimaraes left in January for unknown reasons. A search is also underway for a new development manager.