Our name pays homage to the influential art schools and creative departments that drive publications, visual language, and culture: the spaces that nurture and refine ideas.

The Art Department (TAD) is a dynamic nomadic gallery and comprehensive arts consultancy, operating from Vancouver Island, BC. While our digital platform provides year-round access to exceptional emerging Canadian artists, we invite you to experience their work in person through our curated pop-up exhibitions and partnerships with regional galleries and residencies. Upcoming dates and locations are regularly updated on our News page.

As an art consultancy, our services are structured around three main areas of expertise: artist representation, art advisory for collectors, and arts management for cultural institutions. TAD was founded out of a union of lived and professional experience, and the recognition of a critical need to bridge the gap between artists and the institutions that support them. By implementing a professional framework that prioritizes value-based growth, we work intentionally behind-the-scenes to cultivate sustainable careers and robust institutional partnerships within the Canadian arts ecosystem.

Our work is grounded in advocacy, strategic counsel, and a commitment to long-term sustainability. We fulfill this vision through three fundamental commitments that define our practice:

• We champion artists living outside major urban centers, providing professional advocacy to ensure their vital contributions are recognized within the national cultural landscape.
• We close sectoral gaps by formalizing a professional intermediary model that integrates curatorial expertise, policy development, and change management to build a more resilient infrastructure for the arts.
• We secure high-impact exhibitions and acquisitions, translating cultural value into economic resilience and long-term career longevity for our artists.

By integrating specialized sourcing and management services for collectors, developers, and institutions, TAD ensures that every project fosters both cultural enrichment and meaningful professional advancement across the sector.

Contributors

Our work is supported by a select group of independent collaborators who contribute expertise across curatorial, educational, policy, and operational contexts. These collaborators work with us on a project basis, offering focused knowledge and professional perspective aligned with the goals of each initiative.

Claire Aitken

Founder & Managing Director, Artist Representation & Art Advisory

BFA, BA, MA

Dr. Cynthia Prieur

Senior Advisor, Curatorial & Educational Practice

BA, MA, PhD

Susanne Murphy

Senior Advisor, HR & Operations Strategy

BCOM

Brianne Sleivert

Senior Advisor, Policy Development & Facilitation

BSC