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Following in the footsteps of last week’s informal volunteer sharing session, in this week’s AGO Volunteers Connector series, Meeting #4 Wednesday July 29, from 5-6pm, we’re sharing our favourite books/readings.

Which author has been keeping you company in this time? What kinds of articles do you find yourself turning to most? New voices? Old favourites? This will be a more interactive call with an opportunity for volunteers to share what you’re enjoying these days. Tell us about your favourite author, or share a recent reading that made a real impact.

(In an earlier Volunteers Connector talk, several volunteers shared that they had been reading me and white supremacy by Layla F. Saad. This is a great opportunity to share what you’ve learned).

New to sharing over Zoom? There are a few ways to share:

1. Point your webcam at the book’s cover (best by phone, laptop or whatever other device you’re on)
2. Click on “share screen” to show your favourite book in Zoom
3. Make your book cover your background!

We have a hunch many of us are turning to reading in this more solitary time, so we’re hoping this weekly theme resonates. A reminder: this isn’t a mandatory show-and-tell; just a chance to connect with each other and share some recommended reads.

To join this week’s Volunteer Connector zoom call, simply click on this link (we have fixed the link, so please try this first): https://klick.zoom.us/j/96143710048?pwd=VUE3K2tJVXdTOWJqdEt3SjF4bXk2Zz09 at 5pm on Wednesday July 29 (you cannot register in advance – just click on the link to join.)

If you can’t connect directly by clicking on this link, you have two options:

1) Open a new browser window (i.e. open a new window in Chrome or Firefox or Safari, and copy and paste the above link and press return

OR 2) Go to www.zoom.us,Select “Join a meeting”, enter the Meeting ID: 961 4371 0048 and Password: 496700

We can’t wait to hear your suggestions! – Holly & the Volunteer Council

Hello Volunteers,

You’ll recall earlier this year (March 2020), the Volunteer Council conducted an online vote, allowing volunteers to choose a project to support with our Volunteer Endowment Trust funds (more details below). The Gallery’s closure due to co-vid 19 interrupted our vote. The pandemic has also altered the Gallery’s timelines, so we’ve updated our original funding options and we’re conducting our vote again. Please see below for a little history of the Trust and this year’s funding options. – Holly

The Volunteer Endowment Trust (VET) was established in 2001 with a Letter of Agreement between the AGO, The AGO Foundation and the Volunteers of the AGO. The original capital that created the fund continues to remain invested and, each year, an annual distribution of 4% of the fund (approx. $50,000) is made available in order to fund a project. The AGO Development team identifies 3 projects for consideration that reflect the gallery’s strategic priorities:

1. Art
2. Access
3. Learning

As part of the Volunteer Council’s (VC) ongoing mission to demonstrate transparency in our decision making, we have created an online voting process for the volunteer community to help us choose the project we we want to support most.

The 3 options are listed below in greater detail and you can ONLY VOTE FOR ONE PROJECT.

Voting is open to volunteers from July 27 – Aug 14.

If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to Holly Procktor ([email protected]) or your Volunteer President, Maya Kotlarenko ([email protected])

Thank you for having your say!

1. Exhibition Support – “I Am Here: Home Movies and Everyday Masterpieces” (Target dates: March 20– June 13, 2021, subject to change)

We love to look at ourselves—and we love for others to look at us. Since early humans first painted images on cave walls, and on through the age of social media, human beings have been compelled to document and share our daily experiences through art. I Am Here: Home Movies and Everyday Masterpieces celebrates and interrogates this universal drive, which spans millennia, crosses cultures and motivates renowned artists and everyday people alike. In the context of COVID-19 and a renewed focus on social justice, the exhibition will also illuminate the role of self-documentation in capturing and creating societal change.

By supporting this project, you will make it possible to:
– Bring our community together
– Spark vital conversations
– Welcome new audiences

2. Program Support: Access Initiative

In May 2019, the AGO launched the game-changing Access initiative to remove financial barriers and open our doors wide to the public. This new model offers free admission to those 25 and under; and a $35 Annual Pass that makes visiting the Gallery throughout the year affordable.

As of March 31, 2020:

· Almost 160,000 people have signed up for an Annual Pass – an average of 440 per day

· The influx of Annual Pass holders has resulted in AGO audiences that better reflect the diversity of Toronto

· With more than 105,000 Annual Pass holders aged 25 and under, we have connected with the next generation of AGO visitors

· 40% of single-admission visitors have converted their ticket into a $35 Annual Pass

· As of March 31, 2020, the AGO community now includes almost 290,000 Members and Annual Pass holders – larger than the membership of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The AGO believes in making art accessible and increasing the diversity of our visitors by age, geographic, ethno-cultural and socio-economic background, engaging with audiences that are more reflective of the people of our city. To sustain this great initiative, the AGO is seeking philanthropic support to ensure that affordable access to the gallery remains available for years to come.

3. Exhibition & Research Support: “The Montgomery Collection” (new!)

In 2019, the AGO acquired one of the world’s most significant collections of its kind, The Montgomery Collection — 3,500 photographs from the Circum-Caribbean, dating from 1840 to 1940. This collection brings to life the changing economies, environments and communities that emerged following the abolishment of slavery. It also highlights the work of many regional and international photographers and studios who documented the lands, people, and cultures.

Noteworthy is that this acquisition was made possible with the support of individuals from Toronto’s Black and Caribbean communities. The AGO takes great pride in acquiring a collection of such magnitude and is committed to undertaking rigorous scholarly research of this rich material. We have hired a researcher, Camila Collins Araiza, to work with our curatorial team with a goal of presenting an inaugural exhibition of the Montgomery Collection in 2021.

Philanthropic investment in both the research phase and exhibition will enable the AGO to celebrate this important collection, tell new stories, and engage the large Caribbean community in Toronto, and indeed in Canada and beyond. While this exhibition does not take place until the 2021/22 fiscal year, a significant portion of the project is pre-exhibition research, which also requires significant financial support.

VOTE NOW to support the project you want to see supported by this year’s Volunteer Endowment Trust Funds, by clicking on this link

Hello Everyone,

This week at Town Hall I spoke about the work we have been doing and how it all relates to our vision statement for AGO 2028 and values:

The Vision Statement at first glance seems pretty straightforward:

The AGO will lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions and programs, and by reflecting the people who live here. 

When you read it, the statement is actually pretty packed with questions that still need to be answered and defined. For example: which global conversations will we lead? What do we mean by extraordinary collections? And how do we reflect the people who live here? Remember that our vision statement – which was developed a couple of years ago – has diversity and inclusion imperative written into it. Our task is to start to move towards achieving our vision.  

And then there is the list of values – whatever we do we should be firmly rooted in these:

• Lead with quality

• Be inclusive and accessible

• Be adaptable and flexible

• Contemporary relevance

• Achieve financial equilibrium

Again, I also acknowledge the extraordinary job of AGOU facilitators who are preparing and leading sessions with tremendous enthusiasm and effort. Thank you, facilitators! I have heard many wonderful stories about AGOU. Even in the midst of this pandemic, there are still ways to find joy. Learning brings joy.

Finally, I am sharing the links that Wanda Nanibush sent to me that connects to the vision about leading global conversations. A couple of years ago, Wanda founded an Indigenous-led gathering called aabaakwad (it clears after a storm) which was hosted by the AGO.  It was a two and a half day event of conversations and performances by Indigenous artists, curators and thinkers. 

For the second aabaakwad event Wanda partnered with the first ever Indigenous-led Biennale of Sydney, Australia called aabaakwad 2020 NIRIN which showcased a major number of global Indigenous and queer artists. aabaakwad was the main opening event spanning four days at the Sydney Opera House, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and performances on Cockatoo Island.  It was a massive project with hundreds of artists and events that I had the good fortune of visiting (although my visit was sadly cut short because of COVID-19). The big point here is that Wanda helped the AGO be part of a significant global conversation that is important to all of us. 

There are two links below, one has 3 videos of conversations held at the MCA Sydney and the other is the opening event at the Sydney Opera House that is profoundly beautiful.

https://www.mca.com.au/stories-and-ideas/material-histories-aabaakwad-2020-nirin/

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/digital/season/first-nations/aabaakwad-2020-nirin.html

Thank you to the frontline staff who are working this weekend – you are the welcoming face of the gallery!

Stephan

In this week’s AGO Volunteers Connector series, Meeting #3 Wednesday July 22, from 5-6pm, we share the art we live with. This will be a more interactive call with an opportunity for volunteers to share the art they live with at home. Tell us about your favourite print, painting, sculpture or collage (really the sky’s the limit) in this informal sharing-session.

New to sharing over Zoom? There are a few ways to share:

1. Point your webcam at the art (best by phone, laptop or whatever other device you’re on)
2. Click on “share screen” to show your favourite work in Zoom
3. Make your work of art your Zoom background! 

Holly and Maya will be our Zoom call facilitators – Holly will share some art she lives with first, and is happy to help you on the call if you’re unsure how to share your own work (don’t fret!) Want to hear from others, but don’t want to share yourself? That’s aokay, too – this isn’t a mandatory show-and-tell; just a chance to connect with each other around a shared love of art!

To join this week’s Volunteer Connector zoom call, simply click on this link (we have fixed the link, so please try this first): https://klick.zoom.us/j/96143710048?pwd=VUE3K2tJVXdTOWJqdEt3SjF4bXk2Zz09 at 5pm on Wednesday July 22 (you cannot register in advance – just click on the link to join.)

If you can’t connect directly by clicking on this link, you have two options:

1) Open a new browser window (i.e. open a new window in Chrome or Firefox or Safari, and copy and paste the above link and press return

OR 2) Go to www.zoom.us,Select “Join a meeting”, enter the Meeting ID: 961 4371 0048 and Password: 496700

We look forward to seeing you there! – Holly & the Volunteer Council

Hello everybody!

How are you all doing on this steamy hot weekend? I know many of you are well traveled and we would love to hear how you are spending your summer!  Are you becoming a tourist in your own city? Working from the cottage? Discovering a different part of the province? Help us plan our own vacations with your wonderful ideas!

The Gallery has now been re-opened for 3 weeks and we have got a sense of the rhythms of the day. This may change, as this week the general public returns with timed-entry tickets! We also announced the AGO is offering a special Front Line Workers Annual Pass, as a way to thank Ontarians who work in health care and emergency services, grocery stores, public transit, and sanitation services, so they can rest, recharge and enjoy art!

Finally, some you have been inquiring with Holly or myself about how you can visit the gallery. If you are a Member or Annual Pass holder, timed-entry tickets can easily be booked online for any day that we are open. We are currently looking at sustainable booking processes that would allow volunteers to book a timed-entry ticket from home. Thank you for your patience as we work this out – we will let you know once we know! 

Please read on!

A Day in the Life …

Art in the Spotlight: The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs

The AGO hosted an Art in the Spotlight conversation with artist and Toronto Photo Laureate Michèle Pearson Clarke for a conversation with AGO Associate Curator of Photography Julie Crooks about The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs, a singular collection of more than 3,500 historical images from 34 countries. Here are some highlights from the discussion: 

• Sophie Hackett and Julie Crooks learned about this collection of photographs while at an exhibition in NYC – they where then able to arrange a visit to the collection in the collector’s home!
• They realized how extraordinary the collection was and Julie and Sophie worked hard to convince the collector to offer the collection to the AGO (it could have as easily gone to the Brooklyn Museum or the British Museum!)
• The collection opens a conversation of the history of photography
• The massive collection is currently been indexed and catalogued (which will probably take more time with our reduced staff)
• Julie will be curating the exhibition and is still determining how the exhibition will be shown- this will be open to the public in 2021!

Be well and stay healthy. 

Jonathan, Christine, Trish and Nicole

Hello everyone,

We have had a tremendous response to our offer to front-line workers. Yesterday and today there were long queues on the website to sign up and receive a free AGO Pass. This is a way to thank and acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, transit workers and others who have provided vital services since the pandemic hit. More than 10,000 have signed up so far! I know we all look forward to welcoming them to the AGO. 
We are all doing a lot of learning and listening right now on the topic of diversity and inclusion. We are hearing stories from many different perspectives, including the museum sector. Here is an article by curator and race cultural historian, Dr. Kelli Morgan, which speaks to her experience in the US:

https://burnaway.org/to-bear-witness/

Thank you to Nadia Abraham, Assistant Interpretive Planner, for the suggestion.

We are in the thick of summer with glorious weather so I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy some time outdoors this weekend. Please take care and continue to follow safe health guidelines.

Stephan

Dear Everyone,

I’m very pleased to announce that Dr. Audrey Hudson has been appointed Richard & Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education & Programming, effective July 20, 2020.

Audrey joined the AGO in 2017 and currently is Associate Curator of Schools & Early Childhood Programs, where she has led development planning strategies on guided gallery tours and studio programs and delivered new and innovative school and early childhood programs. She has also developed and increased partnerships with Taking ITGlobal, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Urban Indigenous Education Centre/Toronto District School Board. In 2018, Audrey, along with Julie Crooks and Michelle Noel, collaborated to create the IDEA group (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access), an employee group that is working on D&I strategies to increase diverse perspectives at the AGO. 

Audrey holds a PhD from University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (UT/OISE). She has served on the Editorial board of the Art Education, Journal of the National Art Education Association since 2018 and has developed and taught undergraduate and graduate level courses at OCAD University, Ryerson, and University of Toronto. Audrey is a strong mentor and support to emerging, underrepresented youth in the arts and education.

As a member of Leadership Team, Audrey will help connect our visitors with extraordinary art and ideas as we work together to lead global conversations while reflecting the people who live here. 

Reporting directly to Audrey will be Devyani Saltzman, Director of Public Programs, Paola Poletto, Director of Engagement & Learning, Deborah Nolan, Manager of Strategic Projects & Operations and Leslie Aston Hurst, Executive Coordinator.  School Programs will also report directly to Audrey.

I intend to meet with Audrey and members of her management team bi-weekly over the next year to ensure that I am fully informed about PP&L activities, direction and accomplishments.

I am also taking the opportunity to create greater integration and collaboration when creating the visitor experience in both our Collection and temporary exhibition galleries. The Interpretive Planning team will now be a part of the Curatorial team and Gillian McIntyre and Nadia Abraham will report to Julian Cox, Deputy Director & Chief Curator.

In December, I created a new Strategic Initiatives team out of the Director’s office to collaborate with Leadership Team and others throughout the museum and help lead the process of formulating and executing clearly defined and ambitious strategic initiatives that further the AGO’s vision and mission. Our strategic initiatives include four operational key drivers: Brand & Audience; Content & Program; Admission, and Diversity & Inclusion. Jessica Bright has been collaborating with colleagues on Content & Program strategies so will work closely with Audrey as she develops PP&L’s strategic initiatives. 

Please join me in congratulating Audrey on her well-deserved promotion.

Sincerely,

Stephan 

Are you a parent/grandparent, sister or friend looking to entertain little ones this summer? AGO Makes is a new four-week series of curated art activities for kids and families to enjoy this summer. No registration is required, and all ages are welcome to create!

Week One is all about PLAY

Engage with art through play, and let your imagination run wild!

Learn to play with stamps and printmaking, challenge yourself with a “spot the difference” game, stretch yourself like artist Evan Penny, create your own artist trading cards (with a Surrealist twist!), transform a simple box, build your own playground and much more. And remember, creating a perfect final product isn’t the goal. The goal is pure creativity.

ShopAGO is excited to reopen with an exclusive offer for all AGO employees, volunteers and their family and friends. Enjoy FREE shipping on all $50+ orders* completed online starting today, Wednesday, July 15 until Saturday, August 15 (inclusive) by using discount code: AGOLOVE

Instructions for Employee & Volunteer online orders:

• For an employee/volunteer purchase, please insure that your name and badge number are entered into the order comments to apply your existing discount (note: not all badges are printed with numbers -if a number is not listed on your badge, simply provide your name)
• Your employee discount (25%) or Volunteer discount (15%) will be manually applied to your order when processed by shopAGO and the difference will be returned to your credit card.
• Inside your shipment will be two receipts – the first showing the original total of your order and the second the amount refunded

Every purchase at shopAGO supports the AGO and its mission to bring people together with art. We thank you for your support.

Happy shopping,

Deepak Chopra, General Manager, Retail

*This discount is only eligible on purchases totaling $50+ pre-tax.

Once the City of Toronto announced it was entering Phase 2 of COVID reopening, the AGO quickly readied itself to reopen to the public on July 2. With precautionary measures in place (timed tickets, mandatory masks, limited capacity for each gallery, no bench seating, among others) the AGO welcomed back members and volunteers to explore the space they have been missing since the building shut down in March.

A number of volunteers attended over the first several days of July, reporting a positive experience overall. Here are some of their comments:

Gavin O’Hara (Thursday GG): It was great to get back into the building and see so many old friends (absolutely the staff, but also some of the works that I’ve grown to know and love). When I arrived, it felt like I was passing through a space where the lights had been turned off 3 months ago and had just been turned back on. I was able to visit all the open floors.

For the most part, it was easy to get around the gallery without having to breach the physical distancing guidelines. If there was a bottleneck, it was in the area leading to the Arbus exhibition. I think this was a result of the 5-person limit placed on the first area of that exhibit. Interestingly enough, I didn’t see the same issue with Illusions, although they were using a different approach to managing the flow (in this case, there was one staff person at the entrance and one in the first room and it was a “one-out, one-in” arrangement).

If there was one area where the removal of seating could be an issue, it might be for the Reihana In Pursuit of Venus [infected] video. Some of our older patrons or those with mobility issues that might find standing for 30 minutes or more very uncomfortable. 

On the fourth floor, it was odd to hear the audio from the Farmer and Huyghes videos, but not be able to go in to see them. Makes for an interesting soundtrack to the room (😉).

On the main floor, we’ve blocked off access to the Tanenbaum Atrium for the installation of a Haegue Yang piece, so there’s no access to get close to the Rodins. They’ve installed a thick dark curtain in the opening from the Dutch Room to the Atrium. It was surprising to see the impact of losing the outside light in that room. It’s a more somber experience for the time being. 

Louisa Yue-Chan (Friday evening IG): So great to be back!! A lot was familiar but there was much change too. You’ll note the signage all over the place – floor, walls, stair risers and numerous freestanding signs too. I felt quite safe as far as social distancing goes. Only once did I have to turn around because the gallery was already at capacity (5 for that one). Thanks to my mask no one saw the silly grin I had on my face for being back in the AGO again!!

I knew Diane Arbus and Illusions were extended but was pleasantly surprised to see Karoo Ashevak was still there! My one disappointment was that Picasso’s nude drawing is down – that piece took my breath away when I first noticed it because it was so unexpected (for me) of Picasso! I think there’s a Renoir on that wall now,though I’m not 100% sure.

Mona Eb (Friday GG): It was really quiet – I think not even 10 visitors in the whole building. It was also 11 in the morning and the first day of opening, otherwise my guess is it could have been busier. It was a bittersweet feeling – I was excited to be there but it was so quiet and of course different. There was some chairs put in Walker Court but all the other ones were removed. Most places were open and there was a line up as I was leaving for the photography exhibition!

Clari Kloezeman Thornton: I went for the volunteer invitation. It was like coming home. I brought a friend and I shared with her some of my favourite oddities – a tour of one. Felt great! I do so hope we get to do tours again.

Sharon Sheppard (Saturday GG): I went on July 2nd early in the morning. I didn’t take any photos. What struck me was how quiet it was. My GG shift is on Saturdays and I was not prepared for the lack of people. However, it was so GOOD to get back into the gallery and see art up close and in person. Would be nice if our patrons could share their thoughts and photos on some sort of virtual guest book.

Have you got a story to share? You can post to the AGO Volunteer Facebook page! We may feature you in an upcoming post!