A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR, VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Dear Colleagues,
What is happening?
- On Friday, September 13 we will be welcoming over 500 students (grades 1 to 6) and teachers to the AGO.
- The students are coming to the AGO through an organization called PLASP (formerly known as Peel Lunch and After School Program), which delivers lunch, after school, early learning and P.A. Day programs to over 200 schools throughout the GTA. September 13 is a P.A. Day for Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
- Our Education department has planned fun and interactive activity stations throughout the Gallery and in the Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC) for students.
- Students and staff will also be enjoying lunches in the Education Commons prepared by the Food & Beverage department.
How does this fit with our Strategic Plan?
- As part of selling the experience, Group Sales has been working more closely with the Education and Marketing departments to strengthen the public invitation and the visitor welcome for Teachers and Students, one of the five specific target markets identified in the AGO’s Strategic Plan.
- Welcoming PLASP to the AGO is part of the outreach/sales plan for this key market. If they are satisfied with their inaugural visit to the AGO, we can anticipate four more field trips to the AGO from October to January with a combined attendance of over 2,500 students and teachers.
- Other Teacher initiatives include:
- The new Teachers’ Access Program, which allows the AGO to directly communicate with teachers and school administrators.
- The new Teacher Membership Level, which offers teachers membership benefits such as exhibition admission, and discounts on F&B and retail.
- Increased frequency of exclusive Teacher events such as the recent screening of Never Sorry and Ai Weiwei exhibition tour for over 200 teachers.
How can I help?
- Since this will be the very first visit to the AGO for many of the students and teachers, we would like everyone’s help in providing exemplary customer service to all PLASP visitors.
- If you see the students and teachers in the Gallery please feel free to say hello and welcome them to the AGO.
- If a group appears to need any assistance in the Gallery, please offer them your help. Every group supervisor will have a map of the building, but since this is their first time visiting they may need some extra guidance and directional help.
- We want to show the students a great time, and we would like to show teachers our interactive and educational school programs to encourage them to bring their classes to visit during the school year.
Thank you for your help in welcoming PLASP to the AGO!
Best regards,
Alicia
Alicia Vandermeer
Director, Visitor Experience
AGO – Art Gallery of Ontario
416-979-6660 ext. 476