Hello everyone,
Earlier today I spoke at (an Employee) Town Hall. I always try to scroll through Zoom screens to see your faces. I spoke about the incredible work everyone has done to fulfill our mission on-line during closure and now on-site since re-opening last month. I am proud of what we have accomplished in the face of very real health and economic challenges. The financial pressure on our museum in the absence of pre-COVID revenue generation is considerable. I also reflected on recent exhibitions we have done to move the dial forward on diversity and inclusion. It makes me very happy that our public is back in the building. We are facing many difficulties but we are still able to serve our public through art and learning.
While I am not a big sports guy, I have enjoyed the playful exchanges between the Toronto Raptors and the AGO in recent weeks. See the screenshots below – I appreciate the call outs from the world champs! However, things took a very different turn this week following the shooting of Jacob Blake. I have to say, I have been struck by the response of NBA and WNBA players and their stance to boycott games in support of racial justice. Many journalists are writing about this. Some AGO sports fans passed on this article from The Toronto Star:
I wish the Raptors the best of luck in their play-off run.
Stephan