Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries

03/17/2026

What does it mean to truly make collections accessible?

Last week, GOG wrapped up its final professional development workshop of the season: Collections and Accessibility at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

Through conversations on physical space, digital infrastructure, and inclusive interpretation, participants explored how accessibility can move beyond a one-time fix and become embedded in everyday practice.

Attendees shared that the workshop:

• Expanded how they think about access to collections and spaces
• Offered practical strategies for advocacy and implementation
• Left them feeling more empowered to create inclusive experiences
• Improved their knowledge and skills

From case studies to real-world applications, the day sparked meaningful dialogue across the sector.

Thank you to our speakers and participants for making this an inspiring and impactful session.

ProfessionalDevelopment

03/02/2026

Interested in making your institution truly welcoming to all?

GOG will be hosting a professional development workshop on Collections and Accessibility on March 10th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, in person at the Art Gallery of Hamilton!

Featuring an engaging lineup of speakers, including Sandra Iskandar, Peter Pavement, Laurie Kilgour-Walsh, Ty Tekatch, and Andrea Howard. This workshop will host three sessions that will help you learn how to move beyond “one-time” fixes and embed accessibility into the core of your operations, creating a welcoming space for everyone.

Session #1 - Physical Space: Accessibility, Renovations, and the Built Environment: Through case studies and discussion, the session will explore how standards can serve as a guiding compass rather than a final measure of success, highlighting the gap between compliance and true inclusion.

Session #2 - Infrastructure: Leveraging Digital Collections for Inclusive Access: This session will explore what it means to put users first, with users being both those who facilitate and those who are end-users, i.e. the staff and the visitors.

Session #3 - From Collections to Exhibition & Programming: At the AGH, improving access to our collections is one of the key goals in our strategic plan, and one in which we have seen success across several different initiatives in recent years. This panel will explore the technologies that have allowed our growth, and some of the programs that move us forward.

Transform the way collections are cared for and shared. Follow the link to register today and secure a spot: https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

02/26/2026

Interested in making your institution truly welcoming to all? Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries () will be hosting a professional development workshop this March. Building off of the previous ones, this series of workshops provides a comprehensive understanding of what it means to care for collections in 2026 and beyond. Register and fully equip your institution for the future.

Join GOG at the Art Gallery of Hamilton on March 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, for the final workshop of the year, Collections and Accessibility. Be part of the movement toward more inclusive cultural spaces.

Session #1 - Physical Space: Accessibility, Renovations, and the Built Environment: Through case studies and discussion, the session will explore how standards can serve as a guiding compass rather than a final measure of success, highlighting the gap between compliance and true inclusion.

Session #2 - Infrastructure: Leveraging Digital Collections for Inclusive Access: This session will explore what it means to put users first, with users being both those who facilitate and those who are end-users, i.e. the staff and the visitors.

Session #3 - From Collections to Exhibition & Programming: At the AGH, improving access to our collections is one of the key goals in our strategic plan, and one in which we have seen success across several different initiatives in recent years. This panel will explore the technologies that have allowed our growth, and some of the programs that move us forward.

Transform the way collections are cared for and shared. Follow the link to register today and secure a spot: https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

02/09/2026

Discover how good collections stewardship benefits every part of your gallery or museum.

Click the link to register! https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-stewardship-in-art-galleries-and-museums/

Featuring an engaging lineup of speakers: Fynn Leitch (Curator) and Celeste Scopelites (Director) from the Art Gallery of Peterborough; Yan Wu (Curator, Writer, Translator); Alexandra Badzak (Director) from the Ottawa Art Gallery; Rebecca Basciano (Chief Curator) from the Ottawa Art Gallery; and Karine Tsoumis (Senior Curator) from the Gardiner Museum. This workshop will include three sessions regarding collection management, the complexities of collections stewardship, and strong organizational stewardship strategies.

Session #1 – Management of Art Gallery And Museum Collections
This session looks at this project from planning and budget projecting to implementation and nimble problem solving, from initial discussion through to the full return of the collection.

Session #2 – Art Stewardship In Today’s Complexities
This session examines the ethical and practical challenges curators face in stewarding artists and artworks today.

Session #3 – Organizational Strategies In Art Stewardship
This session examines success stories and lessons of member institutions that have brought about meaningful transformation through organizational and cultural transformations to advance care and stewardship of collections.

Don’t miss out on GOG’s next professional development workshops in March! Register today and secure your spot. https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

GOG gratefully acknowledges the funding contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, the Department of Canadian Heritage.

02/02/2026

Ready to future-proof Art institutions? Galeries Ontario/Ontario Galleries will be hosting two professional development workshops, one this February and a second in March. Each workshop builds on the next, giving a comprehensive understanding of what it means to care for collections in 2026 and beyond. Register and fully equip your institution for the future.

Join the Collections Stewardship in Art Galleries and Museums workshop, taking place on Zoom on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 10 am – 3 pm.

Session #1 - Management of Art Gallery and Museum Collections: This session looks at this project from planning and budget projecting to implementation and nimble problem solving, from initial discussion through to the full return of the collection.

Session #2 - Art Stewardship In Today’s Complexities: This session examines the ethical and practical challenges curators face in stewarding artists and artworks today.

Session #3 - Organizational Strategies in Art Stewardship: This session examines success stories and lessons of member institutions that have brought about meaningful transformation through organizational and cultural transformations to advance care and stewardship of collections.

Transform the way collections are cared for and shared. Follow the link to register today and secure a spot: https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-stewardship-in-art-galleries-and-museums/

Don’t miss out on March’s professional development workshop!
- Collections and Accessibility: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

01/26/2026

HAPPENING THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY (JAN. 28 from 10 am to 3 pm)!!

Ready to future-proof your institution? GOG will be hosting three professional development workshops in the coming new year! Each workshop builds on the next, giving a comprehensive understanding of what it means to care for collections in 2026 and beyond. Click the link to register and fully equip your institution for the future.

Join the Collection Care in the Digital Age workshop, taking place on Zoom on January 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-care-in-the-digital-age/

Session #1 - Digitizing Collections: Gabriel Bevilacqua (Collections and Care Manager, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University) will share a grounded, strategic introduction to digitization planning, focusing on two critical streams: Museum records and archival files & Object and collection photography.

Session #2 - Audience Engagement In The Digital Age: Speaker Luisa Ji (Studio Director, UKAI Projects), will explore alternative models for engaging audiences with digital technologies through art—outside of extractive or corporate platforms.

Session #3 - Planning For The Long Term: Building Digital Infrastructure: Led by Emelie Chhangur (Director and Curator, Agnes Etherington Art Centre) and Danuta Sierhuis (Digital Development Coordinator, Agnes Etherington Art Centre), this session reframes digital transformation as an institutional practice—one that is deeply human and relational.

Peter Pavement, CEO (Surface Impression), will also speak on his experience in leading GOG's Digital Data Service.

⭐⭐⭐

Don’t miss out on our other two professional development workshops!

- Collections Stewardship In Art Galleries And Museums (Wednesday, February 25, 2026) https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-stewardship-in-art-galleries-and-museums/

- Collections And Accessibility (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

GOG gratefully acknowledges the funding contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, the Department of Canadian Heritage.

01/15/2026

GOG Town Hall - Help Us See More Clearly
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
2:00pm - 4:00pm (Over Zoom)
Click Link To Register! https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/help-us-see-more-clearly-gog-town-hall-on-digital-data-service/

Join us to learn how GOG's Digital Data Service Pilot Program has supported organizations across Canada—and help shape what comes next.

As we evolve the service into its next phase, we want to hear directly from you. Share your experiences, insights, and priorities so we can design a service that respond to real organizational needs and challenges.

Take part in the “Help Us See More Clearly” Town Hall to contribute your ideas, raise questions, and discuss the realities your organization is facing.

Your input is essential. This session will guide the development of this service model and ensure it continues to be practical, responsive, and focused on strengthening organizational resilience—especially in an increasingly uncertain political and operating environment. Together, we can ensure GOG continues to support the membership and the broader sector in ways that are accessible, effective, and relevant.

Help us help you — by helping shape the future of this service.
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Upcoming GOG Professional Development Workshops!
Click Link To Register! https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/category/programs/upcoming-programmes/

1) Collections Care In The Digital Age
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
10:00am to 3:00pm (Over Zoom)

2) Collections Stewardship In Art Galleries And Museums
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
10:00am to 3:00pm (Over Zoom)

3) Collections And Accessibility
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
10:00am to 4:00pm (In-person at Art Gallery of Hamilton)

Please note that to accommodate your dietary needs for the March in-person workshop, we require your complete registration no later than Monday, March 2nd, at 9:00 AM. Thank you for your understanding.

GOG gratefully acknowledges the funding contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, Canadian Heritage, for the professional development workshops.

01/07/2026

We are pleased to share the speaker lineup for GOG’s upcoming online workshop, Collection Care in the Digital Age, taking place on January 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Zoom. Click the link to register: https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-care-in-the-digital-age/

This full-day workshop brings together experienced professionals working across collections care, digital engagement, and institutional planning.

Gabriel Bevilacqua from Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University will introduce practical approaches to digitizing collections, including planning, sustainability, risk management, and rights considerations.

Luisa Ji of UKAI Projects will explore audience engagement in the digital age through artist-led practices, encouraging institutions to rethink how digital tools can be imaginative, critical, and values-driven.

Emelie Chhangur and Danuta Sierhuis from Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University will focus on building long-term digital infrastructure, highlighting the role of staff, systems, and institutional culture in shaping digital outcomes.

Peter Pavement of Surface Impression will share adaptable strategies for institutions at different stages of digital maturity, reinforcing that digital transformation is an ongoing and achievable process.

01/06/2026

Ready to future-proof your institution? GOG will be hosting three professional development workshops in the coming new year! Each workshop builds on the next, giving a comprehensive understanding of what it means to care for collections in 2026 and beyond. Visit the link to register and fully equip your institution for the future: https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/save-the-date-gog-professional-development-workshops-2025-26/

Join the Collection Care in the Digital Age workshop, taking place on Zoom on January 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-care-in-the-digital-age/

Session #1 - Digitizing Collections: Gabriel Bevilacqua (Collections and Care Manager, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University) will share a grounded, strategic introduction to digitization planning, focusing on two critical streams: Museum records and archival files & Object and collection photography.

Session #2 - Audience Engagement In The Digital Age: Speaker Luisa Ji (Studio Director, UKAI Projects), will explore alternative models for engaging audiences with digital technologies through art—outside of extractive or corporate platforms.

Session #3 - Planning For The Long Term: Building Digital Infrastructure: Led by Emelie Chhangur (Director and Curator, Agnes Etherington Art Centre) and Danuta Sierhuis (Digital Development Coordinator, Agnes Etherington Art Centre), this session reframes digital transformation as an institutional practice—one that is deeply human and relational.

Peter Pavement, CEO (Surface Impression), will also speak on his experience in leading GOG's Digital Data Service.

Overall this workshop will have participants:
- Understand the benefits of how digitization is beneficial through all facets of their organization including collections, exhibitions, and programming;
- Gain knowledge on the different types of exhibition enhancing technologies and how it impacts their audience engagement;
- Learn how to plan for long term digital projects and build their digital infrastructure.

⭐⭐⭐

Don’t miss out on our other two workshops!

- Collections Stewardship In Art Galleries And Museums (Wednesday, February 25, 2026) https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-stewardship-in-art-galleries-and-museums/
- Collections And Accessibility (Tuesday, March 10, 2026) https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/collections-and-accessibility/

Transform the way you care for and share your collections, register today and secure your spot!

GOG gratefully acknowledges the funding contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canadian Heritage).

12/19/2025

GOG OFFICE CLOSURE: We will be closed for the holidays starting on Monday, December 22nd, 2025 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026.

We thank you for your commitment and support throughout 2025, and we look forward to working with you in 2026!

12/12/2025

12/10/2025

Thank You for an Incredible 48th Annual GOG Awards!

To our amazing community, we did it! The 48th Annual GOG Awards was a truly unforgettable celebration, and it would not have been possible without each and every one of you.

To our honoured guests, thank you for sharing your time, energy, and presence with us. Your support and enthusiasm filled the room with joy and purpose. It was through your presence that we were reminded that together, we leave a lasting impact.

To our sponsors and funders, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your partnership makes this event, and the work behind it, possible. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us uplift the individuals, stories, and achievements that deserve to be seen and celebrated.

To our performers, presenters, volunteers, staff, and venue teams, thank you for your dedication, creativity, and countless hours of work. You are the heartbeat of this event, and your commitment shines through in every detail.

And finally, to our awardees and nominees, congratulations! Your achievements embody what it truly means to Make Your Mark. You inspire our community to lead, create, and uplift with intention.

This year’s celebration reminded us that each voice, each effort, and each act of courage leaves an imprint. Thank you for making your mark on the 48th Annual GOG Awards and on our community as a whole.

Here’s to 48 years of excellence, and to many more ahead.

Thank you all for making this year’s GOG Awards a powerful and memorable success.

48th Annual GOG Awards, 2025. Image Courtesy: Ammar Bowaihl, Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries.

Celebration CelebratingExcellence