Paul Moulton, the man who was recently at the helm of Arts and Heritage St. Albert, has just been named as the new executive director of the Edmonton Arts Council.
Paul Moulton, the man who was recently at the helm of Arts and Heritage St. Albert, has just been named as the new executive director of the Edmonton Arts Council.
"He brings with him a diverse and rich background in the arts and a strong record as a leader," said Anne Ferguson-Switzer, one of the organization's directors, in a prepared news release. "Paul knows this community and has demonstrated his commitment to arts and culture in Edmonton in both his professional and personal life."
During a phone interview, she added that Moulton truly represents the cream of the crop, as he bested more than 70 other applicants from across the country. She said his talents would surely come in handy because working in cultural organizations has its fair share of trials and tribulations. She suggested that one of his priorities would likely be financial in nature.
"We don't know what the future holds for funding. That's going to be an issue in terms of just ensuring that our funding is stable and that we explore other potential avenues that are out there. Beyond that, one of the other big challenges is how to creatively provide outlets for the diversity of artists that we have."
"I'm really, really excited," Moulton responded. "I just think that there's a wonderful challenge there and an amazing organization, and a scale of work that I think can make a real difference in the Capital region."
Moulton has a long history of involvement, often in pivotal roles, in various cultural groups throughout Edmonton and St. Albert. In addition to his years of service as executive director with Arts and Heritage St. Albert, he also served as the first director of the Winspear Centre when it opened more than 15 years ago. He was also the first board chair of the Edmonton Arts Council and recently completed six years as chair of the board for the CKUA Radio Network.
Before that, he was St. Albert's director of cultural services and even took the helm as the inaugural director of Servus Credit Union Place in 2006. He was president of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association as well as the first president of the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta.
He has worked in theatres and academic institutions across Canada including the Citadel Theatre and the Manitoba Theatre Centre, and has taught at Queen's University, the University of Victoria and MacEwan University.
"I've been involved in lots of arts organizations in the Capital region. I just think it really felt like a tremendously good opportunity to get back and support the arts community in a broader way and to use not just the depth of my experience over a number of years but the breadth of it too."
Moulton is set to replace John Mahon, officially taking over leadership duties in June. Mahon served as director for the last 15 years, managing the organization through some tough financial times.
"We could not have asked for a better leader for the Edmonton Arts Council," said board chair Nicole Reeves. "John's intelligence, commitment, and his ability to balance the needs today with the long-view have brought this organization and Edmonton's arts community tremendous success. He is truly a unique talent."
Paul Moulton will be the council's third executive director since its formation in 1996.
The Edmonton Arts Council is a non-profit organization that supports and promotes the arts in Edmonton by increasing the profile and involvement of arts and culture throughout community life.
It advises and supports the City of Edmonton in its cultural planning and policy development. It also plays a key role toward the realization of the recommendations in Edmonton's 10-year cultural plan called The Art of Living. It oversees the investment of millions of dollars in artists, arts organizations, festivals, celebrations, community arts initiatives and public art. The council also owns and operates TIX on the Square, Edmonton's only not-for-profit community box office and store.
