Last night I took part in a focus group at the Art Gallery of Ontario. They are working on a re-branding strategy to go with the big Gehry-induced physical transformation in 2008. They've invited various stakeholders to give input. My group was "artists." There's another "artists" group on Wednesday. In attendance last night were 8 artists, an outside facilitator, and Arlene Madell, the director of marketing and communications. Of the artists, 7 were white females between 35-45. Pretty well everyone in the group knew each other really well. As a bunch, we were kind of mean and negative. I hope the feedback was helpful, it was definitely impassioned and honest. Here are my favourites of the more positive, action-oriented suggestions that came up:
- Give more power and freedom to young curators with vision and excitement for contemporary art. We named names. I dunno if I should do that here. It seems like it would be a breach of confidence. If I change my mind I'll make an update.
- Host regular get-togethers for curators and programmers from galleries across Ontario, including artist-run centres, private galleries and public galleries, to compare notes about specifically what projects are upcoming and explore ways to work together.
- Expand on the good work that the education and outreach department is doing, particularly Teens Behind the Scenes and any like programs.
- Open an AGO bar and hold free weekly events there.
- Get excited about showcasing contemporary Canadian art to local, regional and international audiences, and tour contemporary shows around the country.
- De-accession works from the collection which are not relevant to current goals for the institution and channel that money into contemporary programming.
- Shed the small-time Upper Canadian museological stuffiness for some genuine, committed engagement with current Canadian art.
There's was lots more, and I didn't take notes. These are just the things that stick out for me. I'm pretty sure they were looking for a cultural read on us potential gallery-goers (what colour of i-pod best expresses my taste in contemporary art?), than piles of requests for programming changes. But Arlene Maddell seems alert and concerned and I have had other excellent experiences with AGO's communications and publicity people recently. In my opinion, if anyone can shift that behemoth's 'tude its the marketing dudes. Still, I hate to think what suggestions the other "stakeholders" came up with. Finer floral displays in the member's lounge? Discount rates for celebrity weddings in Walker court? *shudder*
I commend you for participating. (Those events can be a fate worse than death.) Did anyone quote Lisa Neighbour's brilliant observation that "branding is a verb and it hurts".
b/t/w just you wait until my wedding at the Walker Court, I'm going to make you wear the ugliest bridesmaid gown in the universe. (and flowers in your hair too)
I'll be there with bells on.
Howdy!
(Using my best James Brown impersonation) Please, please, please don't get them, ask them, or tell them to "De-accession works from the collection which are not relevant to current goals for the institution and channel that money into contemporary programming." That's just going to lead to flavor of the month syndrome. And there are more effective and better methoda to raise cash for contemporary programming.
Well, I think the person who suggested that was thinking about the museological artifacts...like antique gun collections and corn cob pipes. OKay, if they actually had a bunch of corn cob pipes then maybe they should oughta hang on to them. I take your point. But don't worry - there's next to no danger that any of these suggestions would ever be actually acted on.
as far as those better methods to raise cash for contemporary programming at a big public gallery...anything specific in mind? Since we're pie-in-the-skying it anyhow...
Howdy!
Don't think for an instant, that de-accession might not happen. There's an article in today's NYTimes about the very same topic. [reg required, blah, blah, blah]
As for other methods, the Canada Council seems to have backed down on making Contemporary Canadian Art the next big thing, although there still does seem to be some stuff left in the changes that might help.
Getting the tax laws changed so that cultural property is valued even more than it is now, would also help immensely.
And from my seat on this side of the border, you might want to keep an eye on MACM, Mr. Mayer is making all the right noises. Granted in order to pull them off there, you guys would have to elect a very socialist governement.
Then, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on the upcoming Ritchies auction. If you know anybody with some spare pocket change tell 'em to go.
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Last night I took part in a focus group at the Art Gallery of Ontario. They are working on a re-branding strategy to go with the big Gehry-induced physical transformation in 2008. They've invited various stakeholders to give input. My group was "artists." There's another "artists" group on Wednesday. In attendance last night were 8 artists, an outside facilitator, and Arlene Madell, the director of marketing and communications. Of the artists, 7 were white females between 35-45. Pretty well everyone in the group knew each other really well. As a bunch, we were kind of mean and negative. I hope the feedback was helpful, it was definitely impassioned and honest. Here are my favourites of the more positive, action-oriented suggestions that came up:
- Give more power and freedom to young curators with vision and excitement for contemporary art. We named names. I dunno if I should do that here. It seems like it would be a breach of confidence. If I change my mind I'll make an update.
- Host regular get-togethers for curators and programmers from galleries across Ontario, including artist-run centres, private galleries and public galleries, to compare notes about specifically what projects are upcoming and explore ways to work together.
- Expand on the good work that the education and outreach department is doing, particularly Teens Behind the Scenes and any like programs.
- Open an AGO bar and hold free weekly events there.
- Get excited about showcasing contemporary Canadian art to local, regional and international audiences, and tour contemporary shows around the country.
- De-accession works from the collection which are not relevant to current goals for the institution and channel that money into contemporary programming.
- Shed the small-time Upper Canadian museological stuffiness for some genuine, committed engagement with current Canadian art.
There's was lots more, and I didn't take notes. These are just the things that stick out for me. I'm pretty sure they were looking for a cultural read on us potential gallery-goers (what colour of i-pod best expresses my taste in contemporary art?), than piles of requests for programming changes. But Arlene Maddell seems alert and concerned and I have had other excellent experiences with AGO's communications and publicity people recently. In my opinion, if anyone can shift that behemoth's 'tude its the marketing dudes. Still, I hate to think what suggestions the other "stakeholders" came up with. Finer floral displays in the member's lounge? Discount rates for celebrity weddings in Walker court? *shudder*- sally mckay 5-17-2005 10:07 pm
I commend you for participating. (Those events can be a fate worse than death.) Did anyone quote Lisa Neighbour's brilliant observation that "branding is a verb and it hurts".
b/t/w just you wait until my wedding at the Walker Court, I'm going to make you wear the ugliest bridesmaid gown in the universe. (and flowers in your hair too)
- L.M. 5-18-2005 1:42 am
I'll be there with bells on.
- sally mckay 5-18-2005 1:53 am
Howdy!
(Using my best James Brown impersonation) Please, please, please don't get them, ask them, or tell them to "De-accession works from the collection which are not relevant to current goals for the institution and channel that money into contemporary programming." That's just going to lead to flavor of the month syndrome. And there are more effective and better methoda to raise cash for contemporary programming.
- Zeke 5-18-2005 5:05 pm
Well, I think the person who suggested that was thinking about the museological artifacts...like antique gun collections and corn cob pipes. OKay, if they actually had a bunch of corn cob pipes then maybe they should oughta hang on to them. I take your point. But don't worry - there's next to no danger that any of these suggestions would ever be actually acted on.
as far as those better methods to raise cash for contemporary programming at a big public gallery...anything specific in mind? Since we're pie-in-the-skying it anyhow...
- sally mckay 5-18-2005 6:27 pm
Howdy!
Don't think for an instant, that de-accession might not happen. There's an article in today's NYTimes about the very same topic. [reg required, blah, blah, blah]
As for other methods, the Canada Council seems to have backed down on making Contemporary Canadian Art the next big thing, although there still does seem to be some stuff left in the changes that might help.
Getting the tax laws changed so that cultural property is valued even more than it is now, would also help immensely.
And from my seat on this side of the border, you might want to keep an eye on MACM, Mr. Mayer is making all the right noises. Granted in order to pull them off there, you guys would have to elect a very socialist governement.
Then, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on the upcoming Ritchies auction. If you know anybody with some spare pocket change tell 'em to go.
- Zeke 5-18-2005 8:14 pm