Art Gallery of Peterborough facts for kids
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| Established | 1974 |
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| Location | 250 Crescent Street Peterborough, Ontario K9J 2G1 |
| Type | Art museum |
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is a fantastic place in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, where you can explore art for free! It's a public art gallery that doesn't aim to make a profit. Instead, it focuses on sharing art with everyone. A group of volunteers started the gallery in 1974.
In 1977, the City of Peterborough gave the gallery a special gift: the historic Foster House. This beautiful old home is set in a park right next to Little Lake. The gallery grew even bigger in 1979. It expanded to its current size of about 1,022 square meters (11,000 square feet). This new part was designed in a modern style by Crang & Boake architects.
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How the Gallery Works
From the very beginning, the Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) ran on its own. It received money from groups like the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. The City of Peterborough also helped support it.
As time went on, the gallery faced more money challenges. So, its leaders talked with the City of Peterborough about how to keep the gallery strong. In 2000, after many discussions, the City Council invited the AGP to become part of the City's Arts, Culture and Heritage Division.
A Partnership with the City
Today, the City of Peterborough owns and manages the gallery building. The people who work at the AGP are now employees of the City. The gallery's Director reports to both the AGP Board of Directors and the City's Arts & Culture Division.
Even though it's part of the City, the AGP Board of Directors is still very important. This board is chosen by the community. They are in charge of the gallery's mission, its programs, and its amazing collection of art. They also make sure the gallery remains a non-profit charity.
What You Can Do at the Gallery
Besides seeing the permanent art collection and special exhibitions, the gallery offers many fun things to do. They have educational programs for both kids and adults. These programs help you learn more about art and even create your own!
There's also a gallery shop where you can find unique items. This shop features cool works made by local and regional artists. It's a great place to find a special gift or a piece of art for your home.
The Art Collection
The Art Gallery of Peterborough has a large collection of art, with over 1,800 pieces! They add new artworks to the collection with money from private donations. They also get matching grants from the Canada Council.
The gallery's daily costs are covered by the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. Community fundraising efforts also help a lot. The Art Gallery of Peterborough is a proud facility of the City of Peterborough. It is also a member of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.
Famous Canadian Artists
The gallery's collection includes works by many well-known Canadian artists. Some of these artists are Carl Beam, Rebecca Belmore, David Bierk, Emily Carr, A.J. Casson, Paterson Ewen, A.Y. Jackson, Daphne Odjig, and Jack Shadbolt. Seeing their art is a great way to learn about Canadian creativity!
Exciting Exhibitions
The Art Gallery of Peterborough often hosts new and interesting exhibitions. These shows feature different artists and types of art. Here are some of the past exhibitions:
- 2023: Tim Whiten - Elemental: Earthen
- 2020: Jack Bush + Francisco-Fernando Granados - duet
- 2019: Shelley Niro - women, land, river
- 2018: Dr. Roberta Bondar - Light in the Land ~ The Nature of Canada (Dr. Bondar is also a famous Canadian astronaut!)
- 2017: Charles Pachter - Of Moose and Monarchs
- 2017: Spencer J. Harrison - Not a Freak Show: Growing Up Gay in Rural Ontario
- 2016: Arthur Shilling - The Final Works
- 2016: Bonnie Devine - La Rábida, Soul of Conquest: an Anishinaabe encounter
- 2011 (Summer): Robert Houle - Paris/Ojibwa
- 2010 (Winter): Allyson Mitchell - Ladies Sasquatch
- 2009 (Summer): Nobuo Kubota - Hokusai Revisited
- 2009 (Winter): Mendelson Joe - Joe's Politicians
