New Arts & Culture Manager to kick-start city arts strategy

New Westminster, BC – Implementation of the City of New Westminster’s Arts Strategy will switch into high gear with the hiring of Greg Magirescu to the newly-created position of Manager of Arts and Culture Development. The position was a key recommendation of the Arts Strategy public consultation process which advised that the City needs to play a lead role in the delivery of arts services in New Westminster. The Arts Strategy was adopted by City Council in August 2008.

“Fostering appreciation for arts and culture supports our objective of making New Westminster a welcoming and inclusive community,” said Councillor Bill Harper, Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission. “With the arrival of our new Manager of Arts and Culture Development, I look forward to seeing all of the recommendations outlined in the Arts Strategy implemented in the years ahead.”

Magirescu was hired following a comprehensive recruitment process that saw applications from 80 individuals across the province. He has over 25 years of arts and culture experience with increasing responsibility within the public and private sectors and most recently, worked with VANOC as a member of the management team for the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad. With extensive experience in the development of multicultural festivals, concerts, visual arts exhibits and other arts programming, Magirescu is a member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers of Canada), CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and VMA (Vancouver Musicians Association).

“Increasingly, arts and culture is evolving as a critical area of municipal government service delivery,” said Dean Gibson, Director of Parks, Culture and Recreation. “Greg Magirescu’s extensive experience and background in the sector will be a tremendous asset as we work with our community partners towards making New Westminster a cultural hub of Metro Vancouver.”

Magirescu will begin in his new position with the City of New Westminster on April 12th.

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Contact:
Joanne Edey-Nicoll
Assistant Director, Parks, Culture & Recreation
604-527-4629 or