Open Space Executive Director Kegan McFadden declines extension to probation period, employment terminated.

Open Space Executive Director Kegan McFadden declines extension to probation period, employment terminated.

 Canada Council Letter to the Open Space Interim Board of Directors regarding 'Concerned Status'

On April 30, 2018, the Human Resources Committee of the Open Space board or directors met with Kegan McFadden to discuss his performance during the first 6 months of his tenure at the organization.

We discussed several points of concern about his performance, in particular how his actions have contributed directly to Open Space s recent designation of Concerned Status from the Canada Council. On April 26, 2018, Open Space received a letter from the Canada Council indicating that the under McFadden s leadership the organization s programming has changed significantly from what was laid out in Open Space s, Artist Driven Organizations, Explore and Create program application of July 2017. These changes and the publicly expressed concern resulting from staff departures, bring the Canada Council for the Arts to place Open Space on Concerned Status until further notice.

"Concerned Status indicates that Open Space s operational funding from the Canada Council, including its recent increase, is at risk. Given the precarity of Open Space s situation and the Director s role in contributing to the current state of affairs, the board felt the best thing to do at this time was to extend his probation by 6 months, giving him the time to meet a series of goals that would help to stabilize the organization.

Mr. McFadden was asked to sign the document extending the probation period by 11:59 pm on April 30, 2018. The paperwork was not received, and as such, the board of directors had no choice but to terminate his employment. We wish Mr. McFadden well in all his future endeavours.

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Open Space supports experimental artistic practices in all contemporary arts disciplines, acting as a laboratory for engaging art, artists, and communities. Open Space respectfully acknowledges that we are on unceded First Nations territory. The City of Victoria and the surrounding areas lie on the territories of the Lekwungen and Coast Salish peoples, including Esquimalt, Songhees, and W S NE First Nations.