Hello Everyone,

• It looks like people are still receiving strange emails from someone claiming to be me. If the message or address seems suspicious, don’t respond. Forward the message directly to I.T. Support.  Chris Steele in IT is working on blocking the source. I almost always communicate in person.

• Following the Board of Trustees meeting last week, we hosted a reception for AGO trustees and AGO Foundation trustees on Wednesday evening to celebrate the beginning of the new board year. It featured a viewing of works from the Montgomery Collection. Also on Wednesday evening, the front of house team tested a new line-up system where guests now receive a (free) ticket to enter the museum. This allows us the opportunity to invite visitors to consider signing up for an Annual Pass. For the first time, we are gathering information on the visitors who are coming in so we can communicate with them. The evening went smoothly and I appreciate everyone’s efforts.

• I visited the installation of Rubens a couple of times this week. The scale is truly impressive. The works are extraordinary. Hito Steyerl is also being installed and looks fantastic too.

• As fall is here, we will enjoy visitors from school groups. School kids are among our most important audience as often the initial visit with fellow students is the start of a lifetime of engagement with art and learning.

Enjoy the weekend,

Stephan