After a six-month search, Vancouver's Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art has named the former director of Tides Canada to its helm.

Allison Andrachuk starts her position immediately as the new director and CEO of the gallery.

At the eco and social charity Tides Canada, Andrachuk was responsible for program strategy and operational oversight of Indigenous, environmental, and social
programs across Canada. Before that, she was the manager of operations and public programs at Vancouver's Contemporary Art Gallery.

Andrachuk replaces Alexandra Montgomery, who, after leading the Indigenous-art gallery for four years, moved to Banff, where her husband Howard Jang became vice-president of arts and leadership at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The board of the Bill Reid Foundation retained the services of H.J. Meredith Group for the search that included Indigenous, cultural sector, university networks, and executive professionals, according to the announcement today.

Andrachuk comes to the gallery at a time of expansion and change. In June, the Bill Reid Gallery reopened after a $1.5 million, six-month renovation by Merrick Architecture to increase its programs and celebrate its 10th anniversary. She'll work to expand its exhibitions, education and public programs, and "strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities, particularly the host nations as well as the museum and gallery community," the press announcement said.