Arts Management ❖ Executive Coaching

Advisory services for public and private clients

Supporting leadership at the interface of creativity and management.

KCS ArtCounsel offers experienced executive coaching, arts management, and philanthropic advisory services with special focus on the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

About

Karen Colby-Stothart (MAC, CEC)
Chief Executive, KCS ArtCounsel Inc.

 

Established in 2020 by Karen Colby-Stothart to offer executive coaching and advisory services in arts management, leadership and arts philanthropy, to public and private clients. 

With special interest in Canada’s arts leadership history and future, Ms. Colby-Stothart is especially committed to supporting leaders interested in exploring complex challenges, strengthening fundamental leadership skills and navigating the differentiating features of the arts management context.  

Karen Colby-Stothart is a Certified Executive Coach (CEC) and has held various professional, executive, and board positions over three decades in the Canadian charitable and not-for-profit arts sectors.  Her most recent roles were Chief Executive of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation (2013-2019) and Deputy Director, Exhibitions & National Outreach at the National Gallery of Canada (2009-2012). 

VISION

Stimulating creativity, supporting leadership excellence and contributing to the national legacy in the Canadian arts, culture and heritage sector.

MISSION

Dedicated to supporting Canadian arts leadership through executive coaching and arts management advisory services; and offering strategic counsel to philanthropists and charitable foundations looking to optimize their arts-focused gift strategies and legacies.

Services

 

Arts Management

Consultation and advisory services offered to leaders within arts, culture and heritage organizations; boards; training programs; special project teams; government agencies and private clients.

Kindly enquire for hourly fees and package rates.

 

Competency areas include:

  • Arts Management Executive leadership; strategic planning; stakeholder relations (internal/external/creative); operations; program vs project development;

  • Special Projects Strategy; innovation; international/national partnerships; team leadership;

  • Not-for-Profit Boards National NFP considerations; governance; policy; operations; advocacy

  • Support to Private Collectors Collection & loans management; special projects.

  • Interim Executive roles On an exceptional basis.

 

Executive Coaching

Executive coaching services for chief executives; senior leaders; emerging leaders; independent directors on not-for-profit or charitable sector boards, artists and creators with management or entrepreneurial responsibilities; and others exploring the nuances of effective leadership and management in creative environments.

Kindly enquire for hourly fees and package rates.

 

May include support in the following areas:

  • Board interface

  • Executive priorities

  • Managing creative excellence

  • Stakeholder relations (public and private)

  • Leadership effectiveness

  • Executive presence and communications

 

Philanthropic Advisory

Advisory services are offered to collectors, philanthropists, family offices and private foundations interested in optimizing their arts-related philanthropic strategies, major gift agreements and special projects.

Kindly enquire for hourly fees and package rates.

 

Services include:

  • Working in collaboration with you and your legal and financial advisors, KCS ArtCounsel offers experienced advice in all of your interactions with cultural organizations and their charitable foundations including:

    • Independent expertise in working with major arts organisations

    • Conceptualization of effective philanthropic strategies, possibly including multiple beneficiary organizations or projects;

    • Development of individual (major) gift concepts and agreements with sustainable, aligned, visionary results.

For Foundations, services include:

  • Board advisory

  • Management advisory

Exploring excellence in arts leadership, together.

 Clients

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Testimonials

  • “Karen’s 30 years of experience as an arts leader including as the former CEO of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, combined with her expertise as a certified executive coach, proved invaluable to the Musée d’art contemporain as it underwent its search for an Executive Director of the MAC Foundation. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, talent acquisition requires a concerted effort and rigorous approach to assess candidate motivations, leadership skills and fit. Karen’s strategic advice and insights, throughout the recruiting process, allowed the MAC to proceed with confidence. We could not be more pleased with the outcome and highly recommend Karen at KCS ArtCounsel for her deep understanding of the Canadian arts philanthropy environment.”

    -Anne Eschapasse, Deputy Director, Musée d’art contemporain, Montréal

  • “Karen provided a strong sounding board; she helped me distill my ideas into distinct paths of action during a transitory part of my career and my life. Her dexterity and intuition in navigating the conversation, listening, and probing allowed me to connect many dots and tune into my vision, mission, and purpose."

    - Museum and Architecture Professional

  • “Karen really helped me to see that I had all the answers within me. Her ability to listen and help frame the problem provided me with the perspective I needed to work through the pieces I struggled with. Even though she did not know my organization, her valuable insight into executive roles translated into my environment, and her outsider outlook helped me see things through a new lens. For anyone on the fence about the benefits of executive coaching, I strongly encourage you to reach out and talk with Karan, you will see the benefits immediately!”

    -Tina Thibert-Bisson, Government of Canada

  • “My coaching sessions with Karen positively impacted both my professional and personal life. Her willingness to explore allowed me to view myself and my many roles through various lenses and moments in time. I will be forever grateful and appreciative for this experience.”

    -Natasha Tobin, Acute Care Program Manager, Waterford Hospital