Hello Everyone,

• More than 4,600 visitors came to Free Wednesdays the other night. Wow! Clearly people want to visit.

• The Dreamers Ever Leave You opening performance was truly special. I wish Lawren Harris could have seen what he inspired! Robert Binet’s goal of inviting guests to “immerse” themselves in the experience was also inspired. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who helped make the partnership with the National Ballet of Canada a success.

• I have been visiting galleries. One visit in particular was meaningful. Dorset Fine Arts represents the artwork of the Inuit community of Cape Dorset. The range and quality of the artwork was striking but it also reminds me of how much I have to learn about Canada. How to have Inuit art more central to our museum is something I am discussing with the curators.

• There will be an email coming out next week from Alicia Vandermeer about a new Advancement strategy for all facets of communications and marketing, which will be launched in September. The Advancement team is working on ways to communicate our stories and values in a simple and consistent way – to keep things smart but simple.

I hope everyone enjoys Labour Day weekend.

Stephan