Tribute to Rose Gilks

AFTER 25 YEARS OF MOLDING AN ORGANIZATION INTO SHAPE, NURTURING MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY, ROSE GILKS BEGAN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF HER JOURNEY. IN JUNE 2020, SHE OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM SASKCULTURE.

A recognized leader in the nonprofit, volunteer sector, Rose was instrumental in SaskCulture’s growth into a healthy and vibrant province-wide organization that “builds community by furthering cultural engagement and growth”. In 1993, she was hired at the Saskatchewan Council of Cultural Organizations (SCCO) in the role of Cultural Trust Manager and by 1998, shortly after SCCO became SaskCulture, Rose was promoted to the position of General Manager, and later recognized as Chief Executive Officer in 2016.

Under her leadership, SaskCulture gained recognition as an organization that listened to its community and worked hard to address its many changing and diverse needs. Among her many accomplishments, Rose was instrumental in the formation of Heritage Saskatchewan and launching innovative initiatives such as Creative Kids and Culture Days (nationally and in Saskatchewan). She nurtured strong relationships with cultural leaders, helping support a wide network of cultural activity initiated by over 30 eligible cultural organizations and many more members of the cultural community. Her strong belief that "together is better" enabled her to develop a successful and long-lasting working relationship with SK Arts that greatly benefited the arts community in the province.

Over the years, she managed and maintained a strong partnership with Sask Sport and Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, along with the Government of Saskatchewan, to successfully manage the Culture Section of the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.

Rose helped spearhead change needed to support diversity and inclusiveness in the cultural sector. Her leadership ultimately led to constitutional change and an increased strategic focus on engaging First Nations, Métis, newcomers and other underserved populations. Over the years, she worked to ensure that the system was open to supporting Saskatchewan’s increasingly diverse population by helping to recruit a more diverse board, recommending more targeted funding programs, as well as increasing the diversity of SaskCulture’s staff complement and organizational partners.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Rose brought her talents to Saskatchewan over 30 years ago. She has a long history of working in the non-profit sector including her previous experience working as a consultant with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, as an executive director of three provincial sport organizations, and with the YM-YWCA in Newfoundland, which all gave her a solid understanding of non-profit organizations, effective governance and operations.

While 2020 presented some unique challenges in the face of COVID-19, Rose left behind a strong, thriving organization that remains flexible and adaptable in addressing community needs and effectively facing challenges along the way. While she has moved on from leading SaskCulture, Rose will no doubt be successful navigating her next phase in life, which will include more time to relax, travel and enjoy time with her daughter, as well as helping other organizations as a consultant.