BANFF, AB, June 19, 2018 – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is thrilled to announce the appointment of Nathan Medd, one of Canada’s brightest young arts leaders, to the position of Managing Director of Performing Arts, effective August 27, 2018.
“Banff Centre is an exciting place to support the performing arts for the next phase of my career,” said Medd. “So many companies I have worked with over the years have created extraordinary works at Banff Centre that have toured Canada and the world. I’m very grateful for the chance to help the artistic faculty and visiting artists to do their very best work, and to help one of Canada’s most enduring arts organizations thrive.”
In his new role, Medd will oversee all of Banff Centre’s educational programs and residencies in the performing arts including: Theatre, Dance, Opera, Classical Music, Jazz, and Contemporary Music.
“I am thrilled that Nathan will be joining our Banff Centre team. Nathan is one of the country’s brightest stars in cultural management and his leadership in working with our Performing Arts directors and Arts programs will strengthen Banff Centre’s place as Canada’s leading resource for the advancement of arts and culture,” said Howard Jang, Vice President of Arts and Leadership at Banff Centre.
In his most recent role as Managing Director of English Theatre at the National Arts Centre (NAC), Medd led a team that produced seasons featuring Canadian works by collaborating with artists and arts organizations across the country. He also worked in close collaboration with Artistic Director Jillian Keiley and Associate Artistic Director Sarah Garton Stanley to initiate the Department of Indigenous Theatre at the NAC. He has co-founded two studios that are key to performing arts creation development on Canada’s west coast: the Metro Studio in Victoria, a vibrant venue for independent dance, theatre, and music; and Progress Lab 1422 in Vancouver, the home of acclaimed interdisciplinary creators known to Banff Centre audiences including Neworld Theatre, Boca del Lupo, and Electric Company. He served as Electric Company’s Managing Producer from 2007-2013, guiding the organization through a period of expansive growth and international acclaim.
An active volunteer, Medd serves on non-profit boards including plastic orchid factory, a contemporary dance company in Vancouver. He serves as chair of the large theatres caucus of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. Other management credits include roles in Victoria at Intrepid Theatre (producers of the Victoria Fringe Festival, Uno Festival of Solo Performance, and OUTstages Queer Theatre Festival), the Belfry Theatre, and the BC Arts Council, where he served as a program officer for festivals and theatre.
A graduate of the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Fine Arts in Theatre and English Literature, Medd will soon complete a liberal arts graduate degree from Harvard University in Management, as well as a graduate certificate in Non-Profit Management. Medd grew up in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia and lives with Alberta-born artist Adrienne Wong, an interdisciplinary writer, performer, producer, and director. Together they have two children, Babette and Elki, who along with their parents are looking forward to moving to Banff this summer.
“We are so pleased that Nathan is joining the Banff Centre team during this exciting time,” said Janice Price, President and CEO of Banff Centre. “Nathan has worked with some of the greatest artists and arts administrators in Canada, including Peter Herrndorf, former President and CEO of the NAC; he also served as producer to some of Canada’s most extraordinary theatre artists, including Jillian Keiley, the Artistic Director of the NAC’s English Theatre, and Kim Collier, the award winning director, creator, actor and co-founder of Vancouver’s Electric Company Theatre.”
Celebrating its 85 anniversary this summer, Banff Centre is Canada’s leading post graduate arts and leadership training institute, and attracts nearly 4,000 artists and leaders to its campus in the beautiful Canadian Rockies every year to learn, and create new works of art. Situated on Treaty 7 territory, the Centre offers more than 120 courses each year in multi-disciplinary arts and leadership training, and presents more than 400 shows featuring cutting edge works from both Canadian and international artists. More than 75,000 artists have trained, created or performed at Banff Centre since 1933.
For more information about Performing Arts at Banff Centre, visit banffcentre.ca/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. In 2018, Banff Centre celebrates 85 years of creative practice. banffcentre.ca