Hello Everyone,

Our educators have been very busy with daily online school classes, which continue to grow to sizes of 1,000+ per class in some cases. Honestly, this is massive. As well, our AGO educators recently hosted an art-making workshop for Camp Ooch campers and their families. Camp Ooch is a privately funded, nonprofit oncology camp that brings laughter and joy to kids and families affected by childhood cancer.

With 44 families zooming in, artist-instructors Amanda Arcuri and Olia Mishchenko drew on K.M Graham’s artworks in our collection, https://ago.ca/collection/browse?keys=k.m.%20graham for inspiration. Families with children ages 5-10 learned how to make drawings. Check out some of the amazing work at #AGOmakes.

Art continues to bring joy and learning opportunities to those staying at home. At the AGO, I know that experiencing our first COVID-19 is stressful for everyone. It’s worth repeating that this is our first case in 10 months. We have good protocols in place. We will continue to follow guidance from our health provincials. We will open again soon to our public.

Julie Crooks shared this article with the IDEA Group earlier this week, which is especially timely as we prepare to welcome Cian Knights, our new Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, to the AGO on Monday. The key point here is that it is all of our responsibility to help make our museum more diverse and inclusive. The responsibility does not solely rest on Cian’s shoulders. We all have a role to play.

Take care,

Stephan