Hello everyone,

I am back from a Saskatoon-to-Vancouver family road trip with stops in Calgary, Banff and Jasper. Western Canada is stunning and vast – I think I said “wow” about a million times. Each place was so strikingly different – I feel like I have a better sense of the complexity of Canada. I highly recommend you visit the Remai and Wanuskewin in Saskatoon if the opportunity strikes.

Back at the AGO, I couldn’t be prouder of how the team is doing. Our attendance and revenue numbers are strong and our content is resonating with our public. Our communications and marketing strategy is working. In addition to Warhol, the exquisite exhibition Matthew Wong: Blue View opened last week and in two weeks we welcome Fragments of Epic Memory, which will be amazing. I have been impressed by both the art and design of the exhibition. Congratulations to everyone for your incredible work and commitment to high quality in everything we do.

With fall upon us and a high percentage of the public being vaccinated, Leadership Team is working on a thoughtful plan to start phasing staff back into the building. Again, our top priority will be everyone’s health and safety and we will follow restrictions very carefully to ensure a safe work environment. We might need to pivot if the Delta strain continues to impact case numbers, and we will flex accordingly, but it is time to start planning for a new work environment that has more staff back onsite. This will mean changes to how we work, where we work, and what our work spaces look like. This will happen over a period of time, not overnight, so I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through a solid and highly considered plan.

We will share all details with you on a regular basis so nothing will come as a surprise. More to come on this.

Take care and stay safe,

Stephan

Volunteers, please note: the volunteer program remains on hiatus; volunteer re-entry will commence following staff re-entry, as part of the phased plan that is organized by the AGO’s reopening team, following provincial guidelines