Remai Modern names interim CEO

The Remai Modern art gallery is bringing in some homegrown talent to assist with its leadership transition.

Regina-born Lynn McMaster has been named interim CEO to replace Gregory Burke, who left the post in March.

A Remai Modern news release on Thursday said McMaster has 30 years of experience in the cultural and education sectors, most recently serving as CEO of the children’s Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.

News reports from 2015 noted McMaster led the Please Touch Museum through a period of bankruptcy, and she left the post a year later after the children’s museum had raised enough money to continue operations.

“Lynn is uniquely qualified to lead Remai Modern through this transition phase,” Remai Modern interim board chair Beau Atkins said in Thursday’s release.

“She has experience navigating organizations through big changes and has a wealth of fiscal, strategic, team building and business development knowledge specific to the museum sector.”

McMaster holds a bachelor of education degree from the University of Regina, and worked with the Canadian Children’s Museum for 25 years.

She comes to the Remai Modern in a time of leadership turmoil. In February, board chair Scott Verity and Alison Norlen were ousted by the city. Five other board members announced shortly after they wouldn’t be returning to the board — four of those in protest of Verity’s removal.

Burke has faced issues as well, after it came to light a human rights complaint had been filed against him dating back to incidents at the Mendel Art Gallery — the predecessor to the Remai Modern.

The allegations, which haven’t been detailed in public, forced Burke to withdraw from a job in his home country of New Zealand — the job that led to his resignation from the Remai Modern.

In Thursday’s release, the gallery said McMaster would work with interim chief operating officer Celene Anger, the board and staff on a “smooth transition” until a permanent leader can be found.