Vancouver Art Gallery Appoints Dr. Adrienne Fast & Camille Georgeson-Usher to Lead Indigenous and BC Art

The Vancouver Art Gallery is thrilled to announce the appointment of two curatorial positions that underscore the Gallery’s ongoing commitment to British Columbian and Indigenous art: Dr. Adrienne Fast as Audain Associate Curator of BC Art and Dr. Camille Georgeson-Usher as Audain Senior Curatorial Advisor on Indigenous Art. These roles ensure that vital expertise in Indigenous and British Columbian art is embedded in the Gallery’s curatorial vision, shaping ambitious exhibitions and guiding strategic acquisitions for the permanent collection.

A Gift from the Audain Foundation

These appointments have been made possible through the support of the Audain Foundation, whose longstanding relationship with the Vancouver Art Gallery has been instrumental in advancing the study and presentation of art from British Columbia. The Gallery’s Audain Curator of British Columbia Art position—established through this partnership—has now evolved into the two roles announced today, reflecting the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Gallery’s vision.

A Statement from the Interim Co-CEO

“We are profoundly grateful to the Audain Foundation for their unwavering support of our mission and their extraordinary dedication to the visual arts in British Columbia.” says Eva Respini, Interim Co-CEO at the Vancouver Art Gallery. “The Vancouver Art Gallery is committed to representing and advancing the diverse artistic voices of British Columbia and Canada, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous perspectives and practices. These two new curatorial appointments mark a vital next chapter in our journey, allowing us to deepen our impact and broaden our engagement with artists and communities across the province.”

About Dr. Adrienne Fast

Dr. Adrienne Fast is a seasoned curator with a long-standing dedication to elevating the voices of artists from British Columbia. She holds a PhD in Art History and Theory from the University of British Columbia (2015) and an MA in Art History and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London (2000). Her curatorial experience spans historical First Nations art from the Northwest Coast, experimental installation and performance art from Vancouver’s vibrant 1960s–70s scene, and contemporary performance photography.

Dr. Fast returns to the Vancouver Art Gallery with a strong foundation, having previously held the positions of Assistant Curator – Acquisitions (2015–16) and Curatorial Assistant (2005–07). Her work in regional galleries, including the Kamloops Art Gallery, The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford and most recently at Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam, has equipped her with a broad and inclusive view of the province’s cultural landscape.

About Dr. Camille Georgeson-Usher

Joining Dr. Fast is Dr. Camille Georgeson-Usher, a respected scholar, curator and writer of Coast Salish and Sahtu Dene heritage. She is currently Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Indigenous Art in the Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory at UBC. Dr. Georgeson-Usher brings a powerful combination of academic insight, curatorial expertise and community leadership to the Gallery.

She holds an MA in Art History from Concordia University and a PhD in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University. Her research explores collective movement through space, everyday intimacies and how public art fosters gathering and connection. As former Executive Director of the Indigenous Curatorial Collective and current Co-Chair of the Toronto Biennial of Art, she brings deep experience in Indigenous artistic and curatorial practice, community engagement and governance.

Reflections from Dr. Richard Hill

Dr. Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art at the Vancouver Art Gallery, reflects on the appointments:
“We are tremendously excited to welcome two excellent candidates whose specializations are central to our mission at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Dr. Fast and Dr. Georgeson-Usher’s deep expertise, research-driven practices and strong connections to local and Indigenous art communities will greatly enhance our ability to present innovative, resonant and critically engaged exhibitions, programs and research.”

A Broader Vision for the Gallery

The Vancouver Art Gallery remains committed to presenting a wide-ranging and inclusive vision of historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the globe. With a strong focus on the work of Indigenous artists and those from the Asia Pacific region—supported by the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art), established in 2014—the Gallery continues to foreground diverse voices and perspectives.

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions

Current exhibitions include Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection, featuring promised acquisitions by leading BC artists alongside major figures from the international contemporary art world. Visitors can also experience a landmark presentation of works by Jean Paul Riopelle (1923–2002), as well as a newly opened exhibition devoted to Emily Carr (1871–1945), a significant figure in British Columbia’s artistic legacy. This spring, the Gallery will unveil two major exhibitions that highlight the significance of ceramics across time and place—Written in Clay: From the John David Lawrence Collection traces the evolution of BC’s studio pottery movement, and Otani Workshop: Monsters in My Head highlights contemporary ceramic innovation from Japan.