An established curator, artistic director, arts consultant, and researcher, Trinier’s practice is known for bringing attention to the conditions that influence and support artists’ work, including relational, economic, environmental and institutional dynamics.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and recently relocated to the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, Səl̓ílwətaɬ peoples, Trinier’s previous career experiences include roles as the Executive Director of SAAG | Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin contemporary art gallery in Lethbridge, Alberta; Curator at the Art Gallery of Alberta; Public Art Director at the Edmonton Arts Council, where she managed the City of Edmonton's Public Art Collection; and Director of Visual, Digital, and Media Arts, sessional Visual Arts Faculty, and Campaign Grant Writer and Research at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
Trinier served as a Core Member and Secretary with Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective as a settler supporter from 2015-2020, and currently serves as an Advisory Circle member. She is a Board Director of the Cohen Foundation and co-producer of Publication Studio, a print on demand artist book publishing project. She has volunteered for many non-profit art organizations, served on art committees and juries, including the 2021 Lind Prize and 2018 Sobey Award. She co-founded the Alberta Public Art Network and Nuit Blanche Edmonton, also serving as a Board Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Trinier has authored texts for numerous art periodicals including MOMUS and Canadian Art; with recent text commissions regarding the practices of artists Faye HeavyShield and Couzyn Van Heuvelen. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Art and English from the University of Victoria, and a Master's degree in Public Art from the Dutch Art Institute as a Huygens scholar in the Netherlands. She is currently completing PhD studies in Philosophy, Art, and Critical Thought at European Graduate School in Switzerland. As an artist, Kristy Trinier has exhibited at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Mediamatic Cultural Institution, KunstRAI, Trondheim Kunstmuseum, Villa de Bank, Kunsthalle Fridericianum, and others.
“Kristy brings extensive experience realizing rigorous and inventive projects in complex and dynamic sites, including in unconventional learning contexts, collections, and the public realm,” states SFU Galleries Director Kimberly Phillips. “Her process is centred on listening to, and building relationships with, the artists and communities with whom she works. Her strengths and ethic align her very meaningfully with SFU Galleries’ vision and our work to come, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”
Kristy Trinier takes up her position on March 14, 2022.
