06/01/2026
The Board of Directors of The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lucas Azevedo Cabral as the organization’s new Executive & Artistic Director.
Having served as Interim Executive Director since December 1, 2025, Lucas now officially steps into this expanded leadership role, bringing with them an energetic and deeply community-focused vision for the future of the VAC.
Raised in Durham Region, Lucas understands firsthand the importance of accessible, welcoming cultural spaces to communities in Clarington and across the region. With a broad background spanning communications, programming, operations, public art, and community engagement, he is passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect through creativity, contemporary art, and shared experiences.
Prior to joining the VAC leadership team, Lucas served as Executive Director of Artcite Inc. in Windsor and Artistic Director of Artspace in Peterborough. He has also worked in cultural development with the Cities of Pickering and Oshawa, while supporting numerous arts and community organizations as a board and advisory member, including Creative Cities Network of Canada, the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives of Ontario (ARCCO), and Pride Durham Region.
“Growing up in Durham, spaces like the VAC were incredibly important to me, and I know how meaningful they can be for artists, young people, and the community as a whole,” says Lucas. “I’m excited to continue building on the VAC’s incredible legacy while creating even more opportunities for people to experience contemporary art in engaging, welcoming, and unexpected ways.”
The Board is excited for this next chapter and confident that Lucas’s leadership, experience, and enthusiasm will continue to strengthen the VAC as a vibrant centre for arts and culture in Clarington and beyond.
