Senior arts executive Howard R. Jang appointed Vice President, Arts and Leadership

By Jenny Spurr Posted on September 21, 2017

BANFF, AB, September 21, 2017 – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard R. Jang as Vice President, Arts and Leadership, effective January 8, 2018.  

Jang, from Vancouver, BC, comes to Banff Centre from Simon Fraser University (SFU), where he is Professor of Professional Practice in the School for the Contemporary Arts and Director of the SFU Woodward’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Prior to his SFU appointment, Jang served as Executive Director of Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver for 14 years, where he led the organization to achieve the largest subscription base of any professional theatre in Canada, while also completing the renovation of Granville Island Stage and the reopening of the Revue Stage. Jang has also held leadership positions at Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Ballet British Columbia, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and The St. Luke’s Ensemble/Orchestra of St. Luke’s in New York City.

“I have spent an entire career interacting with Banff Centre—as a student of music and as a leader of some of Canada’s most innovative and successful arts organizations in theatre, dance, and music,” said Jang. “ My experience in the field and, most recently, with Simon Fraser University has also strengthened my deep commitment to leadership development and training. I am thrilled to join Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and lead the team responsible for arts training and creation, and the many facets of leadership education.” 

Jang’s expertise and passion for the arts is demonstrated through his involvement with multiple regional and national boards including The Canada Council for the Arts, Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and the the Vancouver Foundation’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. 


As Vice President for Arts and Leadership, Jang will be responsible for delivering year-round arts and leadership training programs in alignment with Banff Centre’s mission and vision, as detailed in the five-year strategic plan, The Creative Voice. This mission includes: Indigenous Leadership and the Peter Lougheed Leadership Programs (Systems Leadership and Leadership Intensives); multi-disciplinary international programs in performing arts; literary arts; Indigenous arts; visual, digital, and media arts; public and community events; and Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. 


“Howard has demonstrated, throughout his impressive career, exemplary leadership and a wealth of knowledge in artistic practice,” said Janice Price, President and CEO, Banff Centre. “His passion for arts education, training, and presentation makes him the ideal choice to deliver on artistic learning and leadership training. The board, management, and staff look forward to working with Howard to create learning experiences for artists and creative thinkers from Canada and beyond.”

To learn more about arts and leadership programs currently offered at Banff Centre, visit banffcentre.ca 

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. banffcentre.ca

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