Art Centre nominated as one of 28 best art galleries in the province.

August 30, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  The Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG) has listed the Burlington Art Centre as one of 28 public art galleries in 20 cities across Ontario nominated for its 36th annual Ontario visual arts awards.  OAAG will announce the winners at a ceremony on Friday, September 27, 2013 in Toronto.

The awards are annual, province-wide, juried art gallery awards of artistic merit and excellence. They recognize the new exhibitions, publications, programs and community partnerships that have been commissioned by and produced by Ontario’s public art galleries over the previous year.

Denis Longchamps, the male on the right, and the recently appointed Director of Programs at the Burlington Art centre took part in the public consultation meeting to determine what the Action Plan should be for the next phase in the creation of a Cultural Plan for the city.

While Denis Longchamps is now the current Director of Programs, it is the work of Jonathan Smith, Curator of the permanent collection, who should probably get the nod for getting the BAC on the nomination list this year.

Smith got himself as part of the city’s collection when he had a fob from a pocket watch he owns cast as one of the bronze sheets that are part of the Spiral Stella outside the Performing Arts Centre.

Getting nominated for an award is not the only news at the BAC.  Ian Ross, until very recently the Executive Director of the BAC advises that he is now known as the President and CEO of the place.  His Board didn’t attach any additional money to the title but they did pay for the printing of new business cards. He has yet to change the title on the web site yet.

Ross announced that changes are being made in the organizational structure of the place.  When you’re the CEO you get to do that.  “There will be a Director of Enterprise, a position that will pull together many of the jobs that reach out to the community” explained Ross.  “Membership will come under the direction of whoever is brought in for this job as well as art rentals and media.”  Relations with the corporate community are also expected to be part of this position.

One of the best pieces of property west of the downtown core. Is this the best use for this location?

The BAC is also the result of considerable speculation as to just how long they will continue to be located on the current site.  The structure needs a considerable amount of upgrading to its plant and the building doesn’t exactly make the best use of the land it sits upon.

Burlington’s city manager has mused in the past about making better use of the assets the city has and the BAC is certainly a major asset on a prime piece of property.  The Guild’s that get the credit for bringing the BAC into existence 35 years ago might have something to say about any ideas city hall may have about “re-aligning” that asset.

The fall programs will start soon; those Saturday morning art classes are one of the best offerings in the city.  Check them out on the BAC website.

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