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Mid-December 2018: The board receives “an extensive report regarding the Remai Modern workplace based on input received through the city’s ombudsperson office,” according to an email sent to gallery employees in February by board chair Scott Verity. “The board appreciates the support of the ombudsperson office in providing a safe and confidential place for our employees to share their concerns.”

Dec. 17, 2018: Council votes to create a working group that includes Loewen, Coun. Bev Dubois and Coun. Ann Iwanchuk and three members from the Remai Modern board. The motion endorsed does not explain the group or its mandate.

Dec. 19, 2018: Gregory Burke, executive director and chief executive officer of the Remai Modern and, prior to that, of the Mendel Art Gallery since February 2013, announces he is leaving to become executive director of the Auckland Art Gallery in his hometown in New Zealand.

January 2019: The gallery’s chief curator and director of programming, Sandra Guimaraes, leaves. The circumstances of her departure are not immediately known.

Jan. 21, 2019: Council’s governance and priorities committee votes to defer Remai Modern board appointments until February.

Feb. 11, 2019: Board chair Scott Verity sends a memo to Remai Modern staff explaining changes to the organizational structure. In it, Verity explains the board has decided to create a new position to separate some of the duties of the executive director/CEO. The new chief operating officer will focus on the operational side of the gallery, while the CEO will handle programming. Celene Anger, the City of Saskatoon’s director of construction and design, has been appointed to the new role on an interim basis, Verity explains. Verity also mentions two reports on the gallery workplace by the city’s ombudsman and by Logia Consulting. He says a human resources officer was appointed by the board to implement “recommended workplace improvements” in response to the Logia report.