We are proud to announce that Aliya Boubard has been appointed as Curator of the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Aliya has acted as Assistant Curator at the Gallery since 2020, and will take on the Curator role as of May 16, 2023.
Aliya is Anishinaabe and a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, located on Treaty 1 Territory in Manitoba. She is an emerging curator and multi-disciplinary artist, exploring photography, digital illustration, and traditional beading. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba in 2020, and recently graduated with a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Indigenous Studies from Simon Fraser University.
As Curator of the Bill Reid Gallery, Aliya will be responsible for overseeing the curation of exhibitions and collections, as well as developing public programs and initiatives that promote the art and legacy of Bill Reid. We are confident that Aliya's passion for contemporary Indigenous art and her dedication to supporting Indigenous artists from varying levels of their careers will be invaluable in helping the Gallery continue to thrive; and we are excited to see the impact Aliya will have on the Gallery's future.
Aliya will take over the role from Beth Carter. Since starting at the Bill Reid Gallery in 2015, Beth has implemented a curatorial vision that brought together Indigenous artists and museum visitors through diverse thematic exhibitions, public programs, and opportunities for community collaboration. She also oversaw development of the Gallery’s school education program and skillfully managed growth and care of the Gallery’s collection. Importantly, in recent years Beth has placed greater focus on mentoring emerging Indigenous cultural workers, creating opportunities to pass along the extensive experience and knowledge she has gained over a long career. Beth will continue to play a role at the Gallery after May, helping to orient and mentor Aliya in various aspects of the Curator position. Haawa (Thank You) Beth for your significant contributions to the success of the Bill Reid Gallery.