CAROLYN HOLMES has been working in art galleries for more than thirty years. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University in studio arts and a Masters of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. After graduating, Holmes completed contracts in a number of art galleries across Ontario, including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Holmes then moved to Prince George, British Columbia to build an educational program at the Prince George Art Gallery, on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh. During her tenure in Prince George at the now Two Rivers Gallery, she developed an educational department and built a team that has been recognized nationally. Under her direction, Two Rivers Gallery has created a substantial outreach program, a maker space, MakerLab Youth Immersion for vulnerable youth, a vibrant studio program and a number of large annual public events.
Holmes was Executive Director of Two Rivers Gallery from December 2015 to July 2020. Under her leadership Two Rivers Gallery expanded creative influence in the community, engaged audiences through deep participation and inspired by embracing new opportunities.
In July 2020 Holmes joined Nanaimo Art Gallery as Executive Director, on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw. She looks forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing Nanaimo Art Gallery’s mission to explore the boundaries of artistic imagination, with and for the people of Nanaimo, the region and beyond.
Holmes currently sits on the BC Museums Association Council, as Secretary, on the BCMA Education and Professional Development Committee, the BC Heritage Emergency Response Network. She recently sat on the Board of the Prince George Public Library and was a long- standing board member of the Canadian Art Gallery Educators group, CAGE. Holmes is a member of the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization and the Canadian Museums Association.