Thursday 30 March 2017

HME visits the AGB!

Yesterday was HME's first behind-the-scenes visit to a member's institution.

The AGB kindly hosted a 1.5 hour tour of its building. We got to see various spaces, learn about the history of their use and discuss some successes and challenges:

  • Exhibition space with newly added education program space and uncarpeted flooring
  • Loading dock / Storage space: practicalities of movable shelving with very fragile pieces
  • Did you know: the AGB has been collecting ceramics for 35 years, from functional to decorative?
  • Programming spaces 
  • City owns land, but AGB owns the building
  • Every Sunday is open studio: Space at the back has entrance to park; beautiful in summer time, inviting for visitors and new visitors
  • Beautiful big windows bring in lots of light!
  • Shop: represents all guilds, members can rent art
Victor Cicansky. "Delectable Dish of Strawberries". 1988.

  • Community gallery: used to be a cafe. Didn't get a lot of traffic. Now, it's for emerging artists, community themes, community groups
  • Rental space: large open room, windows, facing lakefront
  • Greenhouse: with plants to purchase!



  • Guilds: become a gallery member, then a guild fee. Get to use the space, bring your own tools and material. Can be a newbie or an expert
  • There are kiln techs at the AGB
  • Sculptors and woodcarvers space: it's packed Tuesday and Thursday mornings!
  • Photography space: have a full dark room
  • Challenge: new use for traditional spaces
  • Challenge: what systems do you use to coordinate space usage?
  • Successes: AGB partnered with RBG for summer camps. Don't have space for kids to run and jump, but RBG does
  • In conjunction with Canada 150, they're holding a Canadian Craft Biennial
Mary Philpott. "Crow". 2016


It was such a beautiful day, we all decided to walk over to the restaurant for dinner; there, we had a great space to speak and expand on some of the topics that arose from our tour.

THANK YOU to everyone who came; and many thanks to our generous hosts at the AGB!


If you are an HME member and would like to host a behind-the-scenes visit, please contact one of the HME coordinators here.



Tuesday 7 March 2017

Canterbury Arts Conference (CArtsCon) 2017

Interested in attending conferences with colleagues in England this summer? Check out the details below for the Canterbury Arts Conference!




Canterbury Arts Conference (CArtsCon) 2017
18—21 July 2017
Canterbury, England (UK)

The annual Canterbury Arts Conference (CArtsCon) brings visitors from around Britain and the world to beautiful Canterbury, UK to share knowledge/experience, network and make lifelong friends. It will take place at venues such as the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury Baptist Church and Warnborough College, from 18—21 July 2017.

Now in our fifth year, the definition of ‘arts’ has grown with each conference. Studio art, an art exhibit, art history, film & TV studies, a film festival, music, theatre, a book reading, culinary arts, naturopathy—and more—are addressed at this international annual event.

This year’s broad theme—“Art for Change” is a conundrum. “Change” is typically seen as making something different, developing it, and/or moving it from one place or state to another. But “change” can also refer to loose coins — the few pennies we have left over — or to money in general. Therefore, the topic for CArtsCon 2017 will fuse these concepts into a lively debate.

The deadline for initial proposals is 31 March 2017. Please read the Entry Guidelines for each category and make your submissions ASAP. Fees are reasonable and excitement is building. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!

Relevant Links: www.cartscon.com (conference website home)
jkiefer@warnborough.edu (Dr. Jill Kiefer – Director, CArtsCon 2017)

http://www.cartscon.com/call-papers/ (entry guidelines)
http://www.cartscon.com/accommodation-where-to-stay/

Wednesday 1 March 2017

HME visits the AGB



Learn more about the strengths and challenges your HME colleagues face in their home museum/gallery! The first of these events will be held at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Come to this event to:
  • Get a FREE behind-the-scenes tour, given by fellow museum educators
  • Cultivate ideas and resources for your own institution
  • Network with colleagues
  • Enrich HME discussions


A one hour tour of the Art Gallery of Burlington will be followed by dinner at Saigon on Brant where you can connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting. Please note: dinner is optional and paid for by attendees.

Interested in joining us? Registration is limited!

Please register by: Wednesday March 22, 2017

Free parking will be provided for all attendees by the Art Gallery of Burlington.