Dear Everyone,

I’m very pleased to announce that Dr. Audrey Hudson has been appointed Richard & Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education & Programming, effective July 20, 2020.

Audrey joined the AGO in 2017 and currently is Associate Curator of Schools & Early Childhood Programs, where she has led development planning strategies on guided gallery tours and studio programs and delivered new and innovative school and early childhood programs. She has also developed and increased partnerships with Taking ITGlobal, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Urban Indigenous Education Centre/Toronto District School Board. In 2018, Audrey, along with Julie Crooks and Michelle Noel, collaborated to create the IDEA group (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access), an employee group that is working on D&I strategies to increase diverse perspectives at the AGO. 

Audrey holds a PhD from University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (UT/OISE). She has served on the Editorial board of the Art Education, Journal of the National Art Education Association since 2018 and has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate level courses at OCAD University, Ryerson, and University of Toronto. Audrey is a strong mentor and support to emerging, underrepresented youth in the arts and education.

As a member of Leadership Team, Audrey will help connect our visitors with extraordinary art and ideas as we work together to lead global conversations while reflecting the people who live here. 

Reporting directly to Audrey will be Devyani Saltzman, Director of Public Programs, Paola Poletto, Director of Engagement & Learning, Deborah Nolan, Manager of Strategic Projects & Operations and Leslie Aston Hurst, Executive Coordinator.  School Programs will also report directly to Audrey.

I intend to meet with Audrey and members of her management team bi-weekly over the next year to ensure that I am fully informed about PP&L activities, direction and accomplishments.

I am also taking the opportunity to create greater integration and collaboration when creating the visitor experience in both our Collection and temporary exhibition galleries. The Interpretive Planning team will now be a part of the Curatorial team and Gillian McIntyre and Nadia Abraham will report to Julian Cox, Deputy Director & Chief Curator.

In December, I created a new Strategic Initiatives team out of the Director’s office to collaborate with Leadership Team and others throughout the museum and help lead the process of formulating and executing clearly defined and ambitious strategic initiatives that further the AGO’s vision and mission. Our strategic initiatives include four operational key drivers: Brand & Audience; Content & Program; Admission, and Diversity & Inclusion. Jessica Bright has been collaborating with colleagues on Content & Program strategies so will work closely with Audrey as she develops PP&L’s strategic initiatives. 

Please join me in congratulating Audrey on her well-deserved promotion.

Sincerely,

Stephan