EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAMS
At the Art Gallery of Mississauga our goal is life long learning, with special emphasis on creativity, and imagination which we believe are key tools in achieving success within Education and Outreach. Our educational art program stresses the critical thinking process, thought and reason, as keys to life development alongside visual art. Literacy in art is an important driver at The AGM, which is why we host classes, workshops and discussion groups led by professionals from the community on-site, in our Resource Centre or in the galleries with special focus on contemporary art and artist related topics.
The Art Gallery of Mississauga provides multi–faceted curriculum from novice to advanced levels, and strives for accessibility in a broad range of innovative programs that help to develop the individual's artistic interests and abilities. The Art Gallery does not have studio classes per se, rather workshops, discussions and activities which emphasize critical thinking on a variety of levels taught by regional artists and thinkers. In addition to a varied exhibition schedule, a renewed emphasis is placed on interpretation and animating exhibitions with interviews, lectures and increased ancillary programming.
The Art Gallery of Mississauga’s Education and Programming philosophy is built upon three principles: ENGAGE, THINK and INSPIRE . These principles, combined with Creativity and Imagination reflect our high level of compassion and appreciation for the artist process; provide the highest quality introduction to critical thinking and instruction – for all ages. The AGM is a thinking space to engage with art!
In addition to our Learning Strategies for each exhibition, the curriculum, the outreach and inter–arts programming offers a broad scope of educational opportunities, which includes discussion and lecture programs, artist exhibition panel and discussion series, field trips and many other inventive education endeavours in the gallery. The Art Gallery of Mississauga is pleased to arrange an activity and Tour that is tailor-made for your group, and in line with the current exhibition. Please see Tours on this website or contact the Gallery to begin the conversation!
PROGRAMMES & ENGAGEMENT
TOURS
TO BOOK A TOUR
Contact the Gallery at 905 896 5088 / agm.connect@mississauga.ca
One hour Tours are free, and open to school groups or groups of ten (10) or more. Each exhibition has a variety of ways for students, adults, and all to engage – The AGM is pleased to inspire, captivate and generate new ideas for all imaginations.
The AGM invites teachers and students to attend exhibitions as a class field trip, or as part of a more studied approach to connect the arts with your curriculum.
The AGM also encourages groups of families to a more studied approach by planning ahead and book a tour. FREE! The Gallery has recently initiated collaborative programming with the Mississauga Library System and other agencies to create strong learning strategies for youth.
Our goal is to educate students about the connection between visual arts and literature, and thereby create an appreciation of both, always in conjunction with the goal of an established curriculum. Both the Art Gallery of Mississauga and the Central Library are located at the Mississauga City Centre, which will allow for a convenient, connected journey.
Tours conducted over one hour which include a workshop, visiting artist demonstration or other programming requires a fee. These tours are planned in advance which allow for a seamless informative and educational experience. Please contact the Gallery for more details.
Click here for more details or email to book a tour with The AGM.
DOCENT PROGRAMME
Docents are trained volunteer educators interested in leading groups of visitors through the Art Gallery of Mississauga permanent collection and current exhibitions. Docents lead visitors of all ages on tours designed to expand the visitors' experience with an appreciation for art. Creativity and Imagination are important teaching tools for experiencing the environment of the gallery.
Additional opportunities for docents include serving as outreach ambassadors to inform the community about the AGM's collection, taking art projects to local children's hospitals, libraries, Cultural events, as well as participating in the planning of special events such as Canada Day, facilitating public programs, and engaging in continuing education training specifically for docents.
To become a Docent please click here to fill out a Volunteer Form. Email the completed form to agm.connect@mississauga.ca.
ROOTS AND BRANCHES | THE AGM AND THE MISSISSAUGA LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE COMMUNITY
Reaching out to communities at each of the 18 Library Branches spread across the city of Mississauga, this initiative aims to generate more awareness and outreach about the visual arts programming and education platforms at The AGM. By tapping into the volunteer resources at the gallery – ambassadors of the gallery work with a staff member about the goals of the AGM, to extend the gallery experiences in the larger community. This is evidenced through key Education and Participation Seminars with Youth and Senior Citizens, Workshops connecting Art and Literature, Site Specific Art projects in Urban Spaces of Mississauga. Please keep posted to learn more or become involved!
PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND CURATORIAL PRESENTATIONS
Each exhibition offers a gallery walk with the guest curator, artists or the resident curator. Multiple education and outreach programming seek to engage viewers with a casual series of accessible presentations.
ARTIST PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES PROGRAMME (EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTIST EDUCATION)
Regional, national and international artists engage the artist community with presentations, panels, workshops and readings to engage dialogue and learning centered on an engaged professional practice. Collaboration with established regional art resources for artists, writers and cultural producers are aimed to build a network and broaden community support. New Session begins March 12! Contact the AGM to register. Information
COMMUNITY CHAT ROOM
This initiative works in tandem with education outreach, as well as extending the mission of The AGM to diverse audiences and local communities. The Chatroom Initiative utilizes the Resource Centre an initial platform to host a series of meetings, visioning sessions by inviting community leaders and members of Mississauga to an open forum about cultural heritage, leadership and potential of arts and culture as a catalyst to create new communities and increased cultural activities. Participation is through an open call advertised on the Web, as well as by email, phone and invitation to communities that might not be aware of The AGM.
30 MINUTE FRIDAYS
Curator 30 Minute Fridays occurs during each exhibition for one Friday afternoon. The goal is to build a series of social networks, and support mechanisms with the local community. The 30 minute sessions between artist and curator deploy a conversational format for cultural producers to meet and discuss their work, proposals, or grant writing feedback. The AGM strives to become a center point for the art community and the stage of the Resource Centre is a backdrop of knowledge. An artist from each exhibition or another cultural producer will also be present at the sessions available by appointment with a well advertised campaign. The goal is to streamline the proposal process and reanimate and connect the art community with conversation. Information | Contact the Gallery .
EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY
The Art Gallery of Mississauga is interested in new collaborations to inspire and cultivate interest in the visual arts. The goal of the Education Programme is to develop life-long interest in culture, which will build strong communities with the active engagement of its citizens and their ideas. Creativity and Imagination are two main tenets of our programming. The AGM is celebrating its 25th year in 2012. Our goal as a result for this important milestone is to engage, inspire and build a community that is more informed and involved.
We have recently initiated collaborative programming with the Mississauga Library System. One of our goals is to educate students about the connection between visual arts and literature, and thereby create an appreciation of both, always in conjunction with the rest of your curriculum.
The Art Gallery of Mississauga’s teaching philosophy is built upon three principles: ENGAGE, THINK and INSPIRE. These principles, combined with Creativity and Imagination reflects our high level of compassion and appreciation for the artist process, provide the highest quality intellectual introduction to critical thinking and instruction – for all ages.
RESOURCE CENTRE
The objective of this initiative is to engage the art community with a free, accessible and professional space.
The Resource Centre is a permanent educational room, featuring books, catalogues, periodicals, published by The AGM as well as national and international sources emphasizing contemporary art and visual culture. The main feature of the space is to showcase the 25 year publication history of the AGM which is evidenced through exhibition catalogues, DVD's and other forms of printed materials.
Free to the artist community, this repurposed exhibition space will also function as a space for community group meetings, artist organizations and individuals by appointment.
A limited access PC computer is available for research purposes, as well as for viewing The AGM digital exhibition catalogues, and other art compilations within the archived and publicly accessible collection.
The Resource Centre also serves as a platform for workshops, education, and outreach with an emphasis on community interaction.
ROOTS AND BRANCHES
AGM AND THE MISSISSAUGA LIBRARY SYSTEM
Reaching out to communities at each of the 18 Library Branches spread across the city of Mississauga, this initiative aims to extend the gallery experiences to the larger community. This is evidenced through key Education and Participation Seminars with Youth and Senior Citizens, Workshops connecting Art and Literature, and Site Specific Art projects in Urban Spaces of Mississauga. Interested? Contact the Gallery at 905 896 5088 / email to learn more!
