SHELLEY FALCONER is President and CEO of the Art Gallery of Hamilton and a member of the Culture Strategy Advisory Group struck by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to provide advice to the provincial government on its culture strategy.
Her 25-year career includes national and international experience as a consultant, curator, educator and administrator. She has worked as a senior manager and consultant with a variety of important cultural/educational organizations including the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, University of Toronto, Centennial College, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Toronto District School Board, Department of Heritage, Government of Canada, Sotheby’s London and Waddington Galleries, England.
Ms. Falconer has directed and managed numerous award winning projects including exhibitions and installations for Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Canada House in London, England and the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. She has also authored and produced numerous exhibition texts and catalogues including the publication Stones, Bones and Stitches: Storytelling through Inuit Art. Her award winning Art2Life: the Canadian Century digital project won a prestigious United Nations World Summit award for best in e-content and creativity. Ms. Falconer was also awarded a York Region District School Board Applause Award for outstanding contributions to education and the community.
Her academic background includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art History, Museology and Arts Administration from York University, Sotheby’s England, Sorbonne, l’université de Paris and the University of Toronto. Ms. Falconer has a broad knowledge of Canadian and International art. She was a member of the University of Toronto’s and Centennial College’s adjunct faculty in Culture & Museum Studies and lectures widely on a variety of educational and art historical subjects.