National Volunteer Week is a national, week-long celebration (April 7 – 14) where registered charities, not-for-profit organizations and volunteer centres pause to thank and recognize their volunteers.We couldn’t do all that we do, without you! So we’ve lined up a week of talks and tours, complimentary coffee, tea & treats, JUST FOR YOU

• cafeAGOis keeping the volunteer lounge freshly stocked with complimentary coffee and tea breaks, throughout the week/weekends
• your volunteer coordinators will be treating you to freshly baked goods all week (to go with that coffee & tea!)

Talks and Tours:

• No need to register, just drop in!
• Please gather in the volunteer lounge 10 minutes prior to tour and talk times, so we can meet our hosts, together

Tuesday April 9, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Conservation Challenge
Argentinian artist Adrian Villar Rojas’ work: Today We Reboot the Planet, is heavy with both the sentiments and materials of decay and renewal. Join Conservator Sherry Phillips, with Art Services Technicians Jason Laudadio and Angelo Pedari, for a guided tale of the artwork’s complicated treatment, installation and upkeep.

Wednesday April 10, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Curator’s Tour: Becoming Kathe Kollwitz
As an artist and a mother, Kollwitz was instrumental in establishing new ways in which modern women could portray themselves in art outside of traditional guises. Join Brenda Rix, Manager of the Prints & Drawings Centre, for a guided tour of the most recent installation of a series of exhibitions revealing German printmaker Kathe Kollwitz’s insights on art and life.

Thursday April 11, 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Small Wonders: Gothic Boxwood Prayer Beads
Marvin Gelber intern Kay Min, who studied our boxwood beads as part of her recent Master’s thesis, guides us through an in-depth appreciation of these tiny treasures, and the early modern sensory experience and devotional practice they inspired.

Friday April 12, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Behind-the-Scenes: Installing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room: Let’s Survive Together
Art Services technicians and installation magicians, Jason Laudadio and Angelo Pedari made it look easy: here, they detail the step-by-step process of installing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored room- Let’s Survive Forever, featuring mirrored spheres suspended from the ceiling and arranged on the floor. How did they do it? (and without getting dizzy?) Opening to the public on May 25, this is a true sneak peak!

Saturday April 6 & 13, 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Library Learning: Special Collections with Adrienne Connolly
Our Programming & Outreach Librarian, Adrienne Connolly, shares some of her personal favourites from the cool collections hidden within the Library & Archives (pulled especially for volunteers!) (*as weekend volunteers join us biweekly, this will be the same presentation, presented over two weekend shifts)

Sunday April 14, 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Q & A: Meet AGO Audience Researcher, Madeleine Adamson
How do we deepen our relationships with our members and visitors? Madeleine Adamson shares her experience as one of AGO’s audience researchers, gathering information from our visitors’ comments, knowledge and interests, & sharing her insights from the floor.