3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Integrating Diversity, Equity,
Accessibility and Inclusion:
A Case Study
Nicholas R.
Bell, President and CEO, Glenbow
Museum
Irfhan Rawji, Chair, Glenbow Board of
Governors
Su Ying Strang, Governor, Glenbow Board of
Governors
About the Session
Glenbow is committed to creating a museum and workplace culture
that prioritizes equity and accessibility, where differences are
celebrated and thoughtfully considered, and where no one is left
behind.
As part of their commitment to constant action towards
dismantling structural racism and inequity in the institution, in
the past year, Glenbow founded an Anti-Racism and Equity (ARE)
committee. Comprising members of staff, leadership, and the board,
this committee fosters a safe space for employees to collaborate
and recommend actionable ways for Glenbow to prioritize
anti-racism, diversity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion in all
its work. Glenbow has also increased BIPOC representation on its
board of governors to 42%.
In this session, Glenbow's board chair, co-chair of the ARE
committee, and CEO discuss decision making around these critical
moves, how they support the museum's broader goals, and takeaways
for museums across Alberta.
About the Speakers
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Nicholas R. Bell
he / him
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Originally from Vancouver, Mr. Bell
joined Glenbow in 2019 from his position as Senior Vice President
for Curatorial Affairs at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic,
Connecticut. Bell launched a formidable exhibitions program during
his three years at the preeminent American maritime museum. He
previously served as The Fleur and Charles Bresler
Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick
Gallery in Washington, DC, where he led the Renwick's relaunch,
increasing attendance from 150,000 annually to one million. Bell is
also an author and editor of ten books on art, museums, and
contemporary culture and offers a proven background in spearheading
change and successfully implementing strategic initiatives.
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Irfhan Rawji
he / him
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Mr. Rawji joined Glenbow's Board in 2014. Mr. Rawji is a
Principal with Totem Capital Corporation, a private capital firm
focussed on investing in Canadian small businesses, and is a
Venture Partner with Relay Ventures, an early-stage venture capital
firm exclusively focussed on mobile computing. Rawji is also
Adjunct Professor at the Sauder School of Business at the
University of British Columbia where he has taught in the areas of
finance, public policy, strategy, and leadership. Rawji is actively
involved in civic affairs as a Board Member of the Institute for
Canadian Citizenship, and as a member of the Harvard Business
School Global Alumni Board. Previously, he served on the boards of
the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (Board Chair), the
Harbourfront Centre (Director, Treasurer), imagiNation150
(Director, Treasurer), and Business for the Arts (Director).
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Su Ying Strang
she / her
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Ms. Strang joined Glenbow's Board in 2018 and currently serves
as a member of the Governance Committee and as Co-Chair of the
Anti-Racism and Equity Committee. Strang is an artist and cultural
worker who has been involved in the not-for-profit arts in
Mohkinstsis / Calgary since 2010, and currently serves as the
Director of The New Gallery. Strang's work in the arts is informed
by an artist-centred and community-driven ethos-prioritizing
thoughtful stewardship of artistic practices and accessibility to
programming for audiences. Recently, Strang was recognized by the
2020 Salzburg Global Forum for Young Cultural Innovators as an
invited fellow. Other recent awards and appointments include Avenue
magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 in Calgary and the 2018
Alumni Horizon Award from AUArts (formerly Alberta College of Art +
Design).
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