By Pepper Parr
April 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are taking the show on the road – now that they are the proud owners of a Ford van. The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) can expand its reach into the Halton community thanks to a three-year, $225,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant has provided the capital to purchase a van for community outreach and other projects.
The van will let the AGB staff take pieces from the various collections into the community; especially schools and seniors homes.
The AGB van was unveiled on Wednesday at a media event with local MPP Eleanor McMahon, who has been an advocate for arts and culture in our community, and Bill Allison, an OTF volunteer. Also in attendance were Robert Steven, President and CEO, and Anne Swarbrick, Foundation Chair.
We wondered if AGB president Robert Steven or Foundation president Anne Swarbrick would be given the keys and be tooting about town – nope – the insurance contract allows just six drivers – and the top dogs don’t count.
“The Art Gallery of Burlington is an absolute gem in our city, and one of my favourite attractions in Burlington,” said Eleanor McMahon, MPP for Burlington who tried her hand on one of the looms the weavers guild has some time ago – McMahon won’t be giving classes – not for a while.
Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon did most of the talking at the van presentation. She almost suggested she would be quite happy taking art lessons at the AGB – on a full time basis Ms McMahon?
She is a fan of the AGB though and was able to help them stick handle their funding application. “This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will provide people who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to visit a chance to connect with the AGB and our city’s vibrant arts community, as well as support aspiring artists and museum workers beginning their careers.”
Along with the van, the grant is also helping with two special projects focused on different areas of outreach within the community, including Art-On-the-Go, an initiative to bring arts education directly to schools, seniors’ homes, and community festivals.
Bill Allison, an Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer with more than nine years of service presented a plaque – the check arrived several months ago..
Funds are also being used for the Artistic and Gallery Experience Mentoring Program, which provides opportunities for high school students interested in a career in the arts to be mentored directly by artist educators and other art specialists.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is the leading grant making foundation in Canada. Most of their funding comes from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. You may not win with you Loto 6/49 – but the community does well with the Trillium Grants.
