International cultural leader, Russell Willis Taylor, to develop leadership programs at Banff Centre

BANFF, AB, May 19, 2016 - Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is proud to welcome Russell Willis Taylor, former President and CEO of the National Arts Strategies (U.S.), as a senior consultant to oversee leadership programs at Banff Centre, effective June, 2016.

Building on 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 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.

“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 Banff Centre a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the arts and business management,” said Janice Price, President and CEO. She added: “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 impacting 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 honored 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.  

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach. www.banffcentre.ca