New Curator at Museum of Vancouver Determined to Connect Vancouverites
It’s not just his crazy hair and leather jacket that brings attention to MOV’s new Director of Curatorial and Engagement—Gregory Dreicer is a rock star when it comes to the museum world. Known for innovative explorations of city life, he comes to Vancouver via the Chicago Architecture Foundation, with more than 20 years combined experience in Paris, New York, and Washington, D.C. as an interpretive strategist and historian of technology.
Dreicer has taken an unusual career path. He jumped from academia to architectural conservation to running an interpretive design firm. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University's Department of Science and Technology Studies and holds an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. He has also taught at Parsons The New School of Design and MIT School of Architecture and Planning.
Dreicer chose to come to Vancouver because of the city’s diversity, civic spirit, growing design industry, and because MOV is an award-winning museum that endeavours to build social connections via exhibitions and events. Dreicer’s mission will be to connect Vancouverites to each other and Vancouver to the world. “Social connection is critical for building healthy communities, increasing civic participation, and fostering sustainability. Simply put, creating connections makes people happy,” stated Dreicer.
Dreicer hasn’t wasted much time in preparing his first public offerings. Having only moved his family to the city in the summer, he’s ready to launch From Rationing to Ravishing—an exhibition that illuminates the transformation of women’s fashion in the 1940s and 1950s—opening September 18. The following night, Why I Design—a forum for the public to interact with industrial and environmental designers—will be a feature event with Vancouver Design Week.
Why I Design transforms the normally quiet museum into a festive social setting with more than 30 designers stationed throughout the galleries, talking about their process and how the city serves as inspiration. This event provides a unique opportunity to chat with designers who create a wide variety of things, from water parks and folding kayaks to transgender wear, adaptable furniture, and the now-famous engagement ring wallet.
Dreicer expounded, “Why I Design will help enable people to see the potential of design to transform lives and community.” With events like this, MOV will reinforce its roles as an innovator, in assembling and involving people, and in providing a platform for civic engagement. Dreicer is thrilled to be celebrating the wealth of design talent that Vancouver has to offer and to help connect people at the same time.
