About
WHO WE ARE
The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is a community engaged contemporary art gallery that celebrates artistic excellence and diversity within our region and beyond. We believe that art is an essential element of what defines community, culture, and nation. As such, we are committed to the artists and deep art history of this land as we collectively work to understand the complexities and wonders of our lives and circumstances in this shared community.
The AGSM has been proudly serving Brandon and its surrounding region for over 100 years. Founded in 1907 as the Brandon Art Club, the AGSM is Manitoba’s oldest centre for visual art and one of Canada’s first. From its beginning, the people of Brandon have seen the value of having art and creativity in their lives and their city, and we continuously work to earn that support in our mission to lead community transformation through contemporary art, education, and events.
The AGSM offers year round exhibitions in our Main and Community galleries featuring artwork from leading local, provincial, and national artists that often addresses the specifics of this place and encourages new understandings of our community. We also produce regular public events and offer a robust art education program offering tours, workshops and classes for children, teens, and adults at all skill levels.
As a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization, all of our main public programs are offered free of charge to the public, and our education programs operate on a cost-recovery basis (with 100% funded scholarships for youth facing financial barriers when available).
MISSION
The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba leads and inspires community engagement through contemporary art exhibitions, education, and events.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The AGSM is located on Treaty 2 territory, the shared lands of the Cree, Anishinaabeg, Anishininew, Dene, and Dakota Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. With accountability and responsibility we acknowledge the harms of the past and commit to playing an active role in a mended future by uplifting and celebrating Indigenous expression in our community, across Turtle Island, and around the world.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2022-2027
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY AS FUTURE ANCESTORS
The AGSM is committed to authentic partnership development and fostering collaboration with Black, Indigenous, racialized, francophone, disabled, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ artists.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Build stronger relationships with historically underrepresented groups with a focus on reconciliation, recognition, respect, celebration, and engagement
- Serve as an invaluable community asset by bringing together people from all backgrounds and experiences to be enriched through art
- Respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action for arts and culture organizations
- Enhance awareness of social issues in the wider community through contemporary art
The AGSM is committed to supporting Manitoba artists across their life cycle and uses specific approaches for emerging, mid-career, and mature artists such as mentoring, exhibition support, profile building, and other means to enhance an artist’s continued evolution.
This action includes launching and retaining strong careers for regional artists while recognizing that inclusion in AGSM’s programming can be viewed as a substantive and significant boost for an artist’s career.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Launch the careers of regional artists and retain emerging artists
- Establish an artist mentorship program to develop a united network of practicing artists across Westman of all ages and levels of experience
- Engage more young people across Westman through dedicated programming to foster a life-long love and appreciation for art and its intersection in their everyday lives
The AGSM will strengthen the digital initiatives developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using innovative digital strategies, we aim to improve accessibility; foster personal discovery in our exhibitions; increase engagement in gallery programming; facilitate storytelling, and enhance brand awareness within and beyond our community.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Build the physical infrastructure required, including a new AGSM website
- Develop digital spaces for individuals to access art education and exhibitions, irrespective of their geography and social connections
- Embrace digital strategies to bring artists and other community partners together to collaborate and realize shared goals of community enrichment
- Invest in AGSM staff through training and education so they may fully realize their ideas in digital environments with confidence while staying current with changing technology landscapes
- Invest in the equipment to facilitate the learning, collaboration between members, and exploration of emerging virtual platforms and environments
As an arts and culture organization, the AGSM plays an important role in cultivating community resilience. We will continue to focus on the role of the arts in enhancing mental health and wellbeing and on the implementation of more sustainable green practices in our building and operations.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Be a catalyst for the artistic exploration of environmental justice and other social issues that significantly impact the lives of people in Southwestern Manitoba
- Model environmental sustainability in our facilities and operations
- Conduct a net-zero audit and develop a plan to minimize the environmental impact of AGSM programs and administration
- Actively work with the City of Brandon and other partners to expand our role as an arts and culture hub for Southwestern Manitoba
- Expand the gallery’s physical presence into rural communities across Western Manitoba through artist-led exhibitions and events
The AGSM is powered by a collection of people who work with the shared purpose of advancing contemporary art. We have a responsibility to work with and nurture those individuals to expand our leadership in the downtown, in Brandon, In Manitoba, and in Canada.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Invest in our staff as much as they invest in us. This investment includes compensation, professional development, and increased support for program delivery
- Take a strategic approach to HR planning to ensure that our staff has the skills and support necessary to continue their path of excellence
- Develop an annual implementation plan to identify successes nd areas for growth in relation to the strategic planning priorities
- Engage staff members in an annual process (Professional Growth Plans) to identify professional goals that are related to the strategic planning priorities
- Enlist the support of a research partner to access key initiatives and strategies in the Executive Director’s annual implementation plan
To achieve the goals outlined in this plan, we understand we will need to expand our community support and investment.
THE AGSM WILL:
- Increase awareness of the vital role the AGSM plays in the municipal, provincial, and national landscape and seek increased levels of support
- Target increases from government funders to support ongoing expenses associated with operating activities and capacity building
- Increase support from foundations, project grants, and private donors for facility improvements and experimental programs
STAFF:
Lucie Lederhendler
Artistic Director, Curator
[email protected]
Kevin Conlin
Managing Director, Art School Coordinator
[email protected]
Gallery Services, Gift Shop Coordinator
[email protected]
Shan Pullan
Gallery Attendant
[email protected]
Dhairya Vaidya
Gallery Attendant
[email protected]
Sherri Thom
Gallery Attendant
[email protected]
Emil Reid
Digital Content Associate
Duane Claridge
Support Staff
Holly Balcain
Support Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
EXECUTIVE
Shaun Cameron, Chair
Beth Proven, Vice Chair
Hillary Miller, Secretary
Andrew March, Treasurer
DIRECTORS
Nicole Myker
Elton Taylor
Kevin McKenzie
Heather Karrouze
Shallom Soyombo
Serena Petrella
Amber Stulberg