Mayne to Step Down as Executive Director of Arts Habitat Edmonton
With Open Doors and an Enduring Legacy
After a decade of experienced leadership, Julian Mayne, Executive Director of Arts Habitat Edmonton, has announced his decision to step down in early 2025. His tenure marks a pivotal moment for Arts Habitat, during which he guided the organization in the development of two new creative spaces for Edmonton’s professional artists: ArtsHub Creative Studios and ArtsHub Ortona. These achievements augment a career that has spanned over 40 years of significant contributions to Edmonton’s arts and cultural community.
“It took ten years of dedication, collaboration, and resilience with our City’s partnership and support. Our staff and board celebrate opening the doors on two more art spaces that will support creativity for the years ahead. These new spaces are added to Arts Habitat’s already thriving ArtsHub118 and ArtsHub McLuhan House,” Mayne reflected. “Now, with these facilities opening, I’m ready to embrace the next chapter of my own journey.”
A Career Defined by Arts and Community
Mayne joined Arts Habitat in 2013, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a notable career in Arts and Facility management. With roles spanning music, theatre, opera, and dance, Mayne was instrumental in shaping some of Edmonton’s most prolific cultural institutions.
From 1989, as the lead of the production team and Concert Hall manager for the Winspear Centre/Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Mayne played a key role in designing and managing one of Canada’s premier concert venues. He served as project manager for the design, construction, and installation of the $3.5M Davis Concert Organ, a transformative addition to the city’s musical offerings.
From 2006 to 2012, Mayne served as Executive Director of Fringe Theatre Adventures, the Arts Barns and the Edmonton Fringe Festival, steering the theatre/festival company through a period of significant financial and attendance growth and online ticketing.
Creating Spaces for Artists
At Arts Habitat, Mayne led the development of creating sustainable, affordable studio spaces for professional artists, a mission that culminated in the opening of two new projects in 2024.
ArtsHub Ortona: This City of Edmonton-owned/led initiative revitalized the historic Ortona Armoury to ensure the building remains safe and meets current codes while preserving historically significant aspects of the facility. For decades the Ortona Armoury building had been a place for artists/arts groups. With its strong City partnership, Arts Habitat enabled the building to be retained as a dynamic hub for artists, ensuring its legacy as a space for creativity and community for decades to come.
ArtsHub Creative Studios: Nestled in a restored historic building on 97th Street, this space was realized through an innovative partnership with private developer Jaffer Developments. The result is a lasting home for Edmonton’s artists, providing them with the safe sustainable affordable studio space to create and thrive.
“Nearly a decade ago, I was tasked with creating spaces where Edmonton’s professional artists could dream, collaborate, and contribute to the cultural vitality of our city,” Mayne shared. “It’s been an extraordinary journey, and I am so proud of what we have accomplished together, especially challenged with years of pandemic that saw cost of construction skyrocket.”
Leadership Beyond the Arts
Mayne’s impact extends beyond his professional roles. As a volunteer, he has served on many boards, including as President of the Edmonton Arts Council and the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta. Mayne served on the Arts and Cultural Management Advisory Committee for MacEwan University, the board of FireFly Theatre, Shumka Dance Company. During his tenure with the Edmonton Arts Council, he led a cultural delegation to South Korea, fostering connections with Edmonton’s sister city of Wonju. His outstanding service to the arts and community earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
In addition to his professional roles, Mayne’s commitment to education includes music composition and piano at MacEwan University, Arts Management at the Banff Centre, and Conflict Resolution through ADR Institute of Alberta. He also contributed to the future of arts leadership as an instructor in project management with MacEwan University’s Arts and Cultural Management Program ARTFUL CONVERSATIONS.
A Grateful Farewell
The Board of Directors celebrate Mayne’s contributions, expressing their deep gratitude for his transformative leadership.
“On behalf of the Board of Arts Habitat, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Julian Mayne for a remarkable decade of service. Arts Habitat could not have had a more passionate leader as it was growing towards today’s many significant projects.
Julian has been a steadfast champion for artists throughout his career, dedicating his time and expertise to helping find spaces to create, connect, and thrive in our city. We are always amazed at the depth of his expertise encompassing different aspects of the art scene of Edmonton. His commitment to building vibrant communities through the arts has left an indelible mark, and his leadership has been instrumental in advancing our mission.
On a personal level, Julian never ceases to amaze us with his dedication, skills, and talents and as he looks forward to the pursuit of other opportunities, we celebrate his incredible contributions and wish him all the best in this next chapter. We cannot wait to see what he does next, but we can all be sure that it will be something remarkable. ”
Looking to the Future
As Julian steps down, he leaves behind an organization well-positioned for continued success and growth. His work ensures Edmonton’s artists will have new spaces they need to dream, create, and inspire for years to come.
“It’s with immense gratitude to our incredible staff team, board, and community that I move forward,” Mayne said. “I’m eager to see what doors open next—for me, for Arts Habitat, and for the professional artists of Edmonton.”