Biography
Beth Kane (she/her) has over 8 years of experience in the arts in both the UK and Canada as an Arts Manager, Curator, and Arts Administrator, collaborating with hundreds of artists and creatives.
Based in Mohkinstsís/Calgary, Beth is currently the Manager of Visitor Experience at Contemporary Calgary, where she oversees the museum’s visitor engagement and experience while managing the bookshop. Passionate about making the arts accessible for all, she plays a key role in enhancing the museum's connection with its community. In this role, she curates collections of books in relation to exhibitions and programming, providing resources for further reading and fostering a deeper connection between the gallery and its visitors.
Beth is also a Director and Board Member of the Exposure Photography Festival, where she has contributed to the festival’s vision and strategy. She was previously the Festival Manager of Exposure, managing five editions of the festival and its associated programming. Prior to moving to Calgary, she coordinated FORMAT International Photography Festival.
In addition to her work at Contemporary Calgary and Exposure, Beth continues to support emerging artists through the Working Class Creatives Database and was a Mentor in Residence (2023/2024) with the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation, where she provided mentorship to newcomer artists. Beth has also served as a juror and portfolio reviewer for numerous arts organizations in both Europe and Canada.
Curatorial Practice
Beth Kane has curated exhibitions for and in partnership with a wide range of organizations, including Chinook Blast, QUAD, Multistory, Blast Photo Festival, University of Derby, Parkside Gallery, and Birmingham City University, among others.
Her curatorial practice is focused on working with photography, with a particular interest in displaying photographic work in innovative and unique ways. Bethany enjoys experimenting with different presentation styles and installation techniques, challenging traditional exhibition formats to create engaging and dynamic experiences for viewers.
She is currently researching the relationship between books and exhibitions, with a particular focus on the concept of exhibitions as books and books as exhibitions. This interest explores how the two forms can inform and enrich each other while drawing inspiration from curator Seth Siegelaub, who challenged traditional exhibition spaces and explored the book as a form of exhibition.
Bethany has also written for several magazines, with her most notable article being Female Photo Zine Publishers Shaking Up the DIY Scene published in Elephant magazine. This article explores the impact of female photo-zine publishers in the DIY photography scene.
Contact
email: beth_kane@outlook.com
instagram: @beth_kane_
Image: Exposure x Hamburger Eyes Exhibition & Reading Space, Contemporary Calgary, February 2022. Co-curated by Ray Poets, Hamburger Eyes and Beth Kane, Exposure.