Hello everyone,

I am writing to share an important update from the Director’s Office.

Recent global conflicts and events have impacted the cultural sector and have brought important topics to the fore, including freedom of political thought and artistic expression. The AGO is not alone in grappling with such complex issues. Creating a forum and process for conversations around these topics is an important step, as the AGO must engage to provide clarity and establish parameters for our staff and board. By working together and coming to a shared understanding of how to approach these discussions, we will build trust and confidence. Our board president Rupert Duchesne and I believe we will be best served by a Joint Working Committee of trustees and staff. Overall objectives include:

• Create space for important discussions on global issues that are impacting the cultural sector
• Clarify roles and responsibilities between Board of Trustees, Director and CEO, Leadership Team and staff
• Review and formalize governance policies such as Values Statement, Media Policy, Code of Conduct, etc., and create other policies that may be deemed appropriate
• Re-establish relationships and partnerships with artists who have become disengaged, and with Indigenous communities and other racialized communities

The structure of this Joint Working Committee includes trustees from various committees of the board and staff throughout the museum:

Board committee members:

Rupert Duchesne – ex-officio

David Binet

Zun Lee

Liza Mauer

Carol McNamara

Kenneth Montague

Liza Murrell

Staff committee members:

Stephan Jost – ex-officio

Laura Comerford – Exhibitions

Julie Crooks – Curatorial

Alain Graham – People

Kate Halpenny – Development

Audrey Hudson – E&P

Cian Knights – DEIA

Michelle Noel – Facilities

Trish Popkin – Visitor Services

Caroline Shields – Curatorial

Jay Xie – Gov’t Relations

This track of activity will focus on Governance Education (Roles and Responsibilities), Values and Policies and will also include conversations about re-engagement with Indigenous communities and other racialized communities. At this initial stage, these issues are inseparable and will be explored jointly. The timeline is estimated to be 6-10 meetings over a period of 6 months. The meetings will include a facilitator to help ensure quality and productiveness of discussions.

As the committee’s work and discussions progress, it will lead to a more focused effort towards reconciliation.  In addition to the governance piece, we want to continue with reconciliation and engagement with Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and move it through the organization. We also want to understand and implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and topics around the broader realm of global Indigenous culture. As LT member, Audrey Hudson will be leading this committee track along with the participation of an Indigenous Elder/Advisor or Advisors, as well as both trustees and staff (compilation tbd). This process is incredibly important and will take more than six months. It will take the time that it takes so that we can be thoughtful about re-establishing relationships with Indigenous communities. The AGO remains fundamentally and fully committed to our Reconciliation journey and to showing, acquiring and programming Indigenous art, artists, and stories. More information about the structure of this separate track will be shared soon.

In each track, there will be space for input from AGO staff and volunteers.

Thank you,

Stephan