Ray Cronin

Background

About Ray Cronin

Ray Cronin is a senior arts professional with over 25 years’ experience in multiple aspects of museums and creative industries. Most recently the CEO of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Cronin led that institution for seven years. Under his leadership the AGNS solidified its position as the major art museum in Atlantic Canada; increased the visibility and scope of its exhibition program; adopted a new five year Strategic Plan; diversified its fundraising activities; secured major acquisitions of art, including the largest collection of photographs by Annie Leibovitz held in any public institution globally; expanded its publications program; launched innovative education and outreach programs with partners across the region; founded and managed the internationally recognized Sobey Art Award on behalf of the Sobey Art Foundation (Cronin is the founding curator of the Sobey Art Award). Before joining the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in 2001, Cronin was an active freelance writer and curator. He was the visual arts columnist for the Daily Gleaner in Fredericton, New Brunswick, as well as for Here in Saint John, New Brunswick. He wrote regularly for such publications as Arts Atlantic, Border Crossings, C Magazine, Canadian Art, Espace and Sculpture Magazine, among others. He has also been a teacher of writing, as well as of fine art at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and NSCAD University. Currently he is the editor in chief of Billie: Visual Culture Atlantic, the arts blogger for Halifax Magazine, and the author of the Gaspereau Field Guides to Canadian Artists.