Jeff Erbach
Associate Vice President
Calgary & Regina
1811 4th Street SW, Suite 523
Calgary, Alberta T2S 1W2
jerbach@ArtsConsulting.com
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 241
A devoted expert in cultural diplomacy and change management, Jeff Erbach has served the arts and cultural sector in Canada for more than 30 years. His profound work in arts education, reconciliation, equity and accessibility, and mutually beneficial partnerships within the nonprofit and government sectors has resulted in stronger cultural networks, higher resilience across institutions, and more inclusive programs.
Prior to joining ACG, Erbach held several key positions in municipal government, most recently with the City of Hamilton, where he served as Manager for Placemaking, Public Art and Projects. Erbach was responsible for the strategic development of the city’s public art collection and other cultural projects designed to celebrate diversity and foster an environment of inclusion. Creatively animating the economic, social, and cultural vitality of public spaces, he supported transformative placemaking initiatives and opportunities. Previously, Erbach was the Manager for Community and Cultural Development for the City of Regina, working directly with the mayor’s office, Council, and senior City leadership. During his tenure, Erbach developed and implemented the city’s first 10-year cultural plan, nurturing the development of the Arts, intercultural activity, cultural heritage, and cultural industries.
“Cultural organizations, more than ever, need to expand on their practices of diversity and inclusion, not just as a matter of community engagement, but to increase their resilience, decrease their vulnerabilities, and to maintain their relevance. There likely isn’t a right-size approach given all the complexities, but the work has actually started when you simply think about the possibilities.”
A talented leader and accomplished cultural specialist, Erbach served as Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, one of the largest free admission art galleries in Western Canada. He also worked as Creative Manager for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, where he championed developing platforms for Indigenous artists to address Canada's residential school history, legacy, and its remaining impacts. A strong advocate for arts education and community work, Erbach has served as a mentor and lecturer for cultural professionals and organizations through the Alberta Museums Association, Business/Arts, Creative City Network, and the United Nations Commonwealth Programme. He has also served on the Executive Committee for Rotary Club of Grande Prairie and was a Board member or Committee member for the Regina and Region Local Immigration Partnership and the Creative City Network.
Erbach was a practicing media artist for 15 years, producing a recognized body of film and video work on gender identity and expression which garnered a retrospective at the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa.
Erbach's professional and client work includes:
Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
Business / Arts
City of Hamilton
City of Regina
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
United Nations Commonwealth Programme