Glenbow Taps Insider for CEO Role as Visionary Leader Departs for ROM

CALGARY, AB – February 25, 2026 – In a significant leadership transition poised to shape the future of two of Canada’s major cultural institutions, Calgary’s Glenbow museum has announced that President & CEO Nicholas Bell will depart to become the next Director & CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum. To ensure continuity through its transformative reopening, Glenbow has appointed 18-year veteran Melanie Kjorlien as its new President & CEO.

The change comes at a pivotal moment for Glenbow, which is deep in the midst of Glenbow Reimagined, a $205-million project set to relaunch the institution in 2027 as a radically accessible community hub with a pioneering free admission model. Bell’s departure on May 31, 2026, marks the end of a highly impactful tenure, while Kjorlien’s appointment, effective June 1, signals a strategic focus on steady execution as the museum enters the final and most critical phase of its revival.

A Legacy of Transformation

Since taking the helm in 2019, Nicholas Bell has been the driving force behind Glenbow's ambitious revitalization. He championed a vision to transform the museum’s 50-year-old building into the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture, a modern and welcoming space designed to be an art museum “where everyone belongs.” His leadership was instrumental in securing the massive funding required for the project, assembling a coalition of support from all three levels of government and prominent private philanthropists.

Perhaps Bell’s most defining achievement is the establishment of the JR Shaw Free Admission Endowment. This groundbreaking initiative, a first for a major Canadian museum, will eliminate general admission fees for all visitors in perpetuity. The concept, which Bell termed “radical accessibility,” reframes access to art and culture as a fundamental community right rather than a transactional privilege. This move is expected to dramatically increase and diversify Glenbow's audience upon reopening.

“The Board is deeply grateful to Nicholas for his leadership during this significant chapter in Glenbow's history,” said Lori Van Rooijen, Chair of the Glenbow Board of Governors, in a statement. “His appointment to one of Canada's premier museums reflects the strength of Glenbow's vision and the success of the Glenbow Reimagined campaign.”

Bell’s approach was informed by a history of transformative leadership, notably his time as the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery. There, he spearheaded a relaunch that saw annual attendance skyrocket from 150,000 to over one million, demonstrating a keen ability to connect institutions with a broader public. His move to the prestigious Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto is widely seen as a recognition of the national significance of his work in Calgary.

Continuity Through a Critical Phase

Stepping into the leadership role is Melanie Kjorlien, a deeply respected figure within the institution. Currently serving as Vice President, Engagement and Chief Operating Officer, Kjorlien brings 18 years of experience at Glenbow to the position. Her appointment is a clear signal from the Board of Governors of its commitment to stability and seamless execution as the museum navigates the complex final stages of its redevelopment.

Kjorlien has been a central figure in the Glenbow Reimagined project, providing critical operational oversight. She has been responsible for guiding the intricate transition from base-building construction to the detailed development of more than 50 new gallery, exhibition, and programming spaces. Her intimate knowledge of the project’s mechanics, timelines, and strategic goals makes her uniquely qualified to carry the vision across the finish line.

“Glenbow's momentum will continue,” affirmed Van Rooijen. “Melanie's experience and steady leadership will sustain our progress toward reopening. This appointment reflects the Board's long-standing succession planning and commitment to leadership continuity.”

By promoting from within, the board has placed its confidence in a leader who not only understands the institution’s past but has been actively building its future. This move ensures that the strategic plan Bell helped forge—focused on completing the renovation, delivering a new public program, and diversifying revenue—will continue without interruption.

Reimagining a Calgary Icon

The Glenbow Reimagined project is one of the most significant cultural infrastructure projects in Canada. The $205-million overhaul will completely renovate the eight-storey, 325,000-square-foot structure, which first opened in 1966. The building, closed for renovation since August 2021, will be renamed the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture upon reopening, a nod to the foundational support from the Shaw Family Foundation.

The project’s funding model showcases a powerful public-private partnership. It includes a $40 million commitment from the Government of Canada, $40 million from the Province of Alberta, and a total of $37 million from the City of Calgary, which recently increased its support with an additional $12.4 million commitment in 2023. These public funds are complemented by significant private donations, including a landmark gift from the Shaw family and a $1 million contribution from BMO Financial Group, among others across North America.

The physical transformation is intended to create a more open, transparent, and inviting building that connects visually and functionally with Calgary's downtown core. The creation of over 50 new and reconfigured gallery and programming spaces will allow Glenbow to showcase its vast collection of more than 250,000 artworks and objects in new and dynamic ways.

A New Model for Museum Accessibility

Beyond the architectural renewal, the most revolutionary aspect of the new Glenbow is its business model. The JR Shaw Free Admission Endowment fundamentally alters the relationship between the museum and its community. By removing the financial barrier to entry, Glenbow is positioning itself not just as a cultural destination but as a vital public space, akin to a library or a park.

This model is expected to have a profound social impact, making the museum’s resources accessible to a wider demographic, including students, new Canadians, and families who might have previously found the cost prohibitive. The long-term endowment structure, with its income restricted to supporting operations, is designed to ensure the financial sustainability of this commitment for generations.

The shift aligns with a global conversation about the role of museums in the 21st century and their responsibility to serve the entire public. As the first major Canadian museum to adopt this model universally, Glenbow is setting a new national standard for accessibility and inclusivity. All eyes in the Canadian cultural sector will be on Calgary in 2027 to see the results of this bold experiment, which could influence how other institutions across the country approach their own missions of public service and community engagement.