Director and CEO Stephen Borys leaves WAG-Qaumajuq

Stephen Borys is stepping out of the picture to reframe his career.

The longtime director and CEO of Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq has resigned, after 17 years, to start a consulting firm.

"Civic Muse is probably the most natural evolution from the work I was doing at the WAG. It's really taking all that I've learned in the museum and cultural sector and sharing it with others and helping others succeed and engage more with the community," he said.

"This seemed like a great time to make that transition."

Borys said when he first took the position at the WAG, the goal was to build an Inuit gallery.

In March 2020, the 40,000-square-foot building now known as Qaumajuq, the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world, opened its doors on the shared lot with WAG.

"We raised $75 million to build the project. We've raised tens of millions more to support programming [and] acquire artworks. We built endowments, amazing exhibitions, new partnerships, a really strong robust K-12 and post-secondary curricular development, some really spectacular signature events," he said.

But the thing Borys is most proud of is enhanced engagement with the community, he said.

"How we've advanced and embedded equity at every layer of the institution [and] how we've responded to the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action for museums — really, how we made the WAG more accessible, more welcoming, giving people a place, a voice."

While he believes there is more he could have done at the WAG, Borys said it's time to work with other organizations to "shape bold strategies, inclusive programs, and impactful cultural projects."

With his new consulting company, he said he intends to help clients — be it museums, galleries, universities, government agencies, or private businesses — consider what more they can be in their cities.

"Particularly institutions, organizations and business … that really believe that arts, humanities can help guide us towards more resilient, more just places," he said.

"I feel the WAG has done that. I'd like to be able to take that and help others do the same."

Borys said the decision to leave was his, not the WAG-Qaumajuq board of governors wanting a change.

"I'm not really great with long, long good-byes and so this has all come together fairly quickly. But in a way, this is something that I've been working on, thinking about what would be that next chapter for me," he said.

In a news release, board chair Aynsley Cockshott lauded Borys's leadership "during a time of important creative expansion and growth" and in guiding it to "become a model of diversity and inclusion."

The board will launch a search for a new director and CEO but until that person is chosen, Bill Elliott, deputy director and CFO, will take the helm.