After eight years as the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council’s artistic and executive director, Curtis Pendleton will be stepping away from her role with the non-profit organization at the end of April.
Her departure follows the group’s loss of The ACT Arts Centre as a base of operations.
“Curtis led our organization through some of the most difficult challenges it has ever faced, providing leadership, vision and creativity to the staff, board and community,” said Arts On president Sharen Sandhu.
“Though her continuing contributions will be missed, she is leaving the arts council with a very solid foundation to build new programs and services for the community.”
A press release from the council said under Pendleton the organization saw the expansion of professional performances at The ACT, significant growth in its donor base, and a re-branding of the organization to Arts On. She also oversaw the development of a solid financial foundation to sustain the organization into the future, as it transitions away from serving as the operator of the city arts centre to more broad-based community service.
The council had run The ACT – the hub for the arts community in Maple Ridge – from 2003 to 2025. However, the city took over operation this year. Mayor Dan Ruimy explained the arts council and city had a tough negotiation over a new operating agreement, and the community group rejected the city’s final offer.
“This wasn’t our choice, we didn’t want to do this. But we were negotiating over 15 months,” Ruimy told The News.
READ ALSO: City takes over operation of The ACT Arts Centre
During her tenure, Pendleton also oversaw activities and projects for the 50th anniversary of the Arts Council and the 20th Anniversary of the ACT Arts Centre, which resulted in a public art project now permanently installed at The ACT.
A classically-trained musician and career arts and education professional, Pendleton came to the role with the arts council in 2018, after serving in executive positions in the U.S.and previously, as the executive director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music during the first six years of its establishment. She holds degrees from The Juilliard School and McGill University.
The board has begun a search for its next executive director, and has retained the executive search agency The Discovery Group, who specialize in non-profit leadership.