Arts Burlington Mission Statement:
• Guilds and associations working together to enhance and enrich life in our community through visual arts and crafts. Objectives:
• Provide a structured means of communications between the guilds and the Art Gallery of Burlington
• Provide a means by which guilds can share information to encourage their development, growth and their responsibility to the Art Gallery of Burlington.
• Fundraise for the operations of the Art Gallery of Burlington
• Promote the Art Gallery of Burlington in achieving their strategic directions. Coordinate guild activities in these areas. History of Arts Burlington, the guilds and the Art Gallery of Burlington:
• 1958 — founding of Burlington Handweavers and Spinners
• 1966 — founding of Burlington Fine Arts Association
• 1969— founding of Burlington Potters Guild
• 1970 — City of Burlington Department of Recreation Services hosts a weekend seminar, attended by representatives from each guild to discuss the needs of the creative arts in Burlington. As a result a Research Committee was formed that proposed that an Art and Craft be built.
• 1972 — Advisory committee presents a proposal to City Council for a building but was advised that funds were not available through the Capital budget.
• 1972 — Founding of Arts Burlington, an umbrella group for the three guilds to carry on their goal of an arts and crafts facility in the community. Other guilds were invited to join and in May, the first Kaleidoscope was held at the arena. 250 artists exhibited their work and gave hands-on demonstrations. 3000 people attended. This event has been held annually since.
• 1973 — planning for establishment of centre continues with talks between the Research Committee and the City of Burlington
• 1974 — Latow Photography Guild and the Burlington Sculptors and Woodcarvers joined Arts Burlington
• 1975 — Burlington Cultural Centre was incorporated and a grant received from the Provincial Government to have architectural drawings drawn for a building to be located in Brock Park [current location]
• 1976 — fundraising Chairman appointed and Burlington Hooking Craft joined Arts Burlington
• 1977 — sod turning ceremony held in June
• 1978— staff moved into the Centre in April
Arts Burlington’s Role Today
Although the Gallery has evolved and encompasses much more than the galleries and the guild studios, the guilds are still major stakeholders in the building. Almost half of the AGB members are also guild members. The relationship between the guilds and Gallery is recognized as unique, across the country and internationally. Guild members often field questions from members of guilds from other cities looking for information on how our organization works. We are a core membership base for the AGB that can generate over an 80% renewal rate every year. Many of us live beyond the Burlington borders, and would not be involved with the AGB if we were not guild members. We have a vested interest in seeing the AGB thrive, and are among those most likely to volunteer and/or attend fund-raising events, sit on committees, attend classes, sign their kids and grandkids up for classes and programs, visit the AGB regularly. Our friends and extended families often join after we introduce them to the building. We provide a number of instructors for AGB classes and programs providing high quality instruction and encourage those taking classes to join the AGB. Together, guild members are a highly visible face of the AGB and are AGB ambassadors:
• Our studio doors are usually open when we are working, and we invite the public in.
• We attend local events to demonstrate, hand out brochures and talk about the AGB and our guilds.
• We promote the AGB philosophy, concept and activities at conferences and workshops with colleagues.
• We sell tickets and distribute posters and other promotional materials.
• We support Art Etc., and bring our out-of-town visitors to the Centre.
• Together, we coordinate 2 events a year, Kaleidoscope, a juried exhibition and sale in the spring, and Christmas Sale in November (coordinated with Soup Bowl), where all guild members may sell their work.
• We are consistent participants and often award winners in juried shows not just in
the building, but provincially, nationally, and around the world. The Guilds comprising Arts Burlington:
Burlington Fine Art Association
Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild
Burlington Potters Guild
Latow Photographers Guild
Burlington Sculptors and Woodcarvers
Burlington Hooking Craft Guild
Arts Burlington is open to considering applications from other visual arts and crafts groups for incorporation as Guilds. Please see the Arts Burlington Constitution as published on our website for further information. Please note, there are specific requirements involved, including membership in the Art Gallery of Burlington and related costs, for all prospective guild members.
