Dear Fellow Volunteers,

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season, a peaceful time with family and friends, and dear loved ones. With thanks for all you do, the gallery and visitors are so fortunate to have you on the front line as Information Guides, Gallery Guides, Prints and Drawing volunteers, and others. You are the backbone, first encounter with the visitor, that is so integral to the gallery space and the visitor experience and interaction. 

All Volunteers are intellectual, know so much about the works, collection and the artists. The visitors come away with a rich experience as a result of the exchange between Information, Gallery Guides and Prints and Drawing volunteers.

End of year summary and thanks acknowledgements,

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year taking on the role of Volunteer President and getting to know many of you over the year, has been one of the highlights. All Information and Gallery Guides with fellow Prints and Drawings volunteers on planned excursions. Over the year, we’ve attended four excursions I’ve created and organized, with attendance of close to 120 volunteers from all placements. We met with curators, artists, the incredible Charles Pachter, David Liss (Koffler Gallery) and fellow guides and docents with rich discussions who imparted our shared knowledge and passions over art. Thanks to all the volunteers for coming together and the strength in community.

The connections with our cultural partners and there staff for planning these excursions together with myself from the Koffler Gallery, Gardiner Museum, MCU The Image Centre, fellow gallery guide Aisling Joe for her impactful tour of the Queens Park Collection where she also has a professional role and additionally hosted us with a wine and cheese! Showing us the vast collection and ties with Queens park collection and library has with the AGO, was also a rich memory.

Look forward to future excursion events and meeting more artists, plans which are underway to come in the new year and also tying in with our AGO anniversary. Importantly speaking on the horizon, looking forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas, as a team on the 80th year of AGO Volunteers anniversary, coming to fruition this summer with further details to come.

As Volunteer President, one of my mandates established is being present, listening and providing a bridge with staff. I have set “making every moment count” as a mantra for the volunteer,s and building connecting memories across all placements at the core is essential. Building a strengthened community, creating new ideas and platforms for the volunteers to be recognized, have an opportunity to build on that community and connect and support all volunteers, including hands on artistic opportunities. Connecting with staff and curators on enrichment opportunities as we’ve had recently on the tours and talks.

Volunteer Artists Collective

A number of volunteers have expressed interest in participating in the AGO Volunteer Artist Collective, which I’ve recently established to highlight the skills, creativity and talents of fellow volunteers while also another layer of building on our volunteer community an opportunity for volunteers to get to know your colleagues on another level. This initiative will be rapidly expanding in the new year. Holly and I can’t wait to see it grow, for you all to showcase your talents, your works with fellow volunteers and building the collective together. Volunteer artworks will be displayed in the volunteer lounge adding another layer in addition to your presentation. The collective is open to all levels of artists, be that amateur or professionals, any medium, all are warmly welcome and continuous encouragement! Just simply fill out the form and will be in touch. https://forms.gle/hyYg9cNufBbBo9aH7

Recognition events

Just this month we have had three recognition events, surrounded by the holidays planned by Holly and myself. I’m grateful to Holly for being a staff partner, as a Volunteer and President. Thank you Holly for all you do for us volunteers, behind the scenes, your dedication, effervescent energy, your smile and enthusiasm your wisdom. We are all lucky to have you by our side and ensuring volunteers are together and recognized as we share the mandate of the volunteer community.

Barbara Glaser

Volunteer President