St. John’s-based opera company founder and veteran of the performing arts Cheryl Hickman (pictured) has been appointed as the next board chair of the Canada Council for the Arts following the end of Jesse Wente’s term on July 27.

The appointment was announced by Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge on Monday (Feb. 24), who, via a statement, called Hickman “an extraordinary leader with a deep understanding of the arts in Canada.”

Beginning on July 28, Hickman will take on a five-year term as board chair for the Crown corporation.

In 2009, Hickman founded the opera company Opera on the Avalon, where she serves as general and artistic director. An accomplished soprano who has performed with major companies in North America and Europe, Hickman was appointed as one of the 11 members of the Canada Council’s board of directors in April 2017. Since October of that year she has served as chair of the governance and nominating committee.

“As an outstanding champion of the arts and culture, with extensive experience in the arts sector, Cheryl Hickman has provided inspirational leadership,” said Michelle Chawla, Canada Council for the Arts director and CEO, in a statement. “Her stewardship will be invaluable to achieving the Council’s vision of a thriving sector and continued investment in the creative vitality of Canada.”

The vice-chair of the Council is Montreal’s Marie Pier Germain, the VP of sales and marketing for Montreal and Quebec City-based Germain Hôtels. She was appointed in December of 2021 and her term ends on Dec. 16 this year.

Image courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts; photo by David Howells