JCCC Appoints Jerrold McGrath as Executive Director, Enhancing Cultural Connections and Continuing a 62-Year Legacy of Friendship Through Culture at the World's Largest Japanese Cultural Centre Outside Japan
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jerrold McGrath as its incoming Executive Director, which took effect on April 28, 2025.
With over 15 years of leadership experience in the arts and culture sector, McGrath is the ideal candidate to guide the JCCC into its next chapter and to support the JCCC's vision of enriching lives globally through the celebration of Japanese Culture and Japanese Canadian heritage. As part of this transition, James Heron, the current Executive Director, will retire after more than twenty-four years of dedicated service but will continue in a consultancy role to ensure the ongoing success of key programs, including the popular Toronto Japanese Film Festival.
McGrath is well-known in the cultural sector in Canada and abroad for his innovative approaches to engaging audiences and the public in contemporary issues through arts and culture. "I am truly excited to take on this role and to explore how we can continue to celebrate Japanese Canadian heritage and its critical role in navigating an increasingly uncertain world," said McGrath. "The JCCC has a rich history of resilience and creativity, and I look forward to building on that legacy."
Born in Brockville and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Jerrold McGrath holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and a Master's in Professional Studies from the University of Denver, specializing in Strategic Innovation and Change. He spent five years in Japan as a relocation trainer for major companies like Denso, Toyota, and Mitsubishi, immersing himself in Japanese culture and beginning his lifelong journey of learning the Japanese language and cross-cultural communication. Before joining the JCCC, McGrath served as program director at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity from 2007 to 2016, where he supported the founding of the Peter Lougheed Leadership Initiative, securing over $30 million in funding with the University of Alberta and former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Kim Campbell. He was also recognized as a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader for his commitment to reducing inequalities through cultural work. In 2017, he founded UKAI Projects, a non-profit organization focused on innovative cultural practices, achieving significant growth and programming success across Canada, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, his 2018 Quartz article on Japanese concepts of space became the publication's most viewed piece, establishing him as a noted cultural critic.
Chris Hope, President and Board Chair of the JCCC, expressed his enthusiasm for McGrath's appointment, stating, "Following a facilitated global search for candidates from Canada, Europe, the US, and Asia, we are thrilled to welcome Jerrold to the JCCC team. His vision and experience will be instrumental in advancing our mission of fostering friendship through culture and preserving the rich legacy of our Japanese Canadian community. Jerrold's expertise in curating transformational cultural experiences aligns seamlessly with our goals, and we are confident in his ability to carry the remarkable legacy of the JCCC forward". Hope also acknowledged James Heron, stating, "James has generously offered to assist in maintaining the special programming he has cultivated with passion and expertise over the years. We look forward to benefiting from his wisdom and cheerful presence at JCCC events for many years to come".
Jerrold McGrath resides in Toronto with his wife, Mihoko Maeno-McGrath, an accomplished visual artist, and their daughter, a high school student passionate about Japanese language and culture.