Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to share the news with you that the AGO and OCAD University (OCAD U) have recently agreed to explore the feasibility of creating innovative space that would ambitiously support our mission to serve the public. The project would aim to fulfill the goals of OCAD U’s already-launched Creative City Campus project and advance the AGO’s mandate to be an accessible art museum that presents great art, creates opportunities for engagement and provides learning opportunities for all ages through more exhibition and programming space. If we move ahead, the project would be developed on property owned by the AGO and OCAD U on the southwest corner of McCaul Street (aka over top of the laneway between our two buildings by the shipping dock).

The AGO and OCAD U have been neighbours for close to 100 years and both institutions are key anchors in Toronto’s creative district. The completed project would further cement Toronto as the hub of cultural excellence in the province of Ontario, with the two organizations providing a compelling narrative – OCAD U as incubator and developer of creative talent, and the AGO igniting extraordinary experiences with art from Canada and around the world.

The project would also strengthen OCAD U and the AGO’s current relationship. Currently, the two organizations already partner on many initiatives such as OCAD U’s Curatorial Studies program and all OCAD U students receive free admission to the AGO. This project presents an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate in shared spaces.

Led by Mike Mahoney, Leadership Team is currently conducting our due diligence in two phases to consider the project’s feasibility and we expect this work will take us through June.  Until this work is complete, no decision will be made. Our Board of Trustees will ultimately be making this decision.  They have, and will continue to be, part of this process.

I’ll be sure to update you on the project’s status as we progress.

Sincerely,

Stephan