Showing posts with label art gallery of ontario layoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art gallery of ontario layoffs. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Union pickets at Art Gallery of Ontario


I went to the Art Gallery of Ontario this evening to hear a talk by Sarah Thornton—more on that later—and was half-surprised, half-not to see a picket line outside of the gallery. The picketers held signs like "AIG:AGO" and handed out flyers describing their concerns: namely that because the AGO received $18.6 million from the Ontario Government on April 8—a mere two days after laying off 23 full time staff—the AGO should now rescind the layoffs. The picket was organized by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents several of the laid-off staff.

According to the OPSEU, the layoff notices were served in an extremely undignified manner. Well, this may already be apparent to those who know the layoffs were announced just hours before one of the AGO's biggest fundraisers. But here's some of the quotes they offer:

"After 13 years, I was literally asked to put down my tools and was out of the building within 2 hours." - anonymous employee

"They are trying to save money and want volunteers to replace paid staff; in an institution devoted to an 'extraordinary visitor welcome' it is ridiculous to replace professional staff with volunteers." - employee with 29 years service

The OPSEU also notes that many professionals key to museum operations were laid off, including conservators, photographers, librarians, installation technicians and more. Two publicists were laid off, making me wonder how effectively the AGO will be able to spin these events. The woman I spoke to at the picket said many of these professionals are being replaced by part-time contract positions.

The OPSEU also notes that while senior management has instituted a wage freeze, it still takes up one-sixth of the wage pie in the organization. They also point out that Kirsten Ferguson, Chief of Staff at the AGO, had a $60,000 salary increase between 2007 and 2008 -- a raise of 50%. CEO Matthew Teitelbaum, for his part, had a wage increase of $20,000 from 2007 to 2008, or roughly 9%.

In my view, this is an unfortunate event for all parties—the museum, the employees, the union and the public. Who's to blame? It's a complex issue, but I would say this whole episode reeks of planning gaps at the senior level. Yes, there's a recession going on. Yes, contract employees are cheaper than permanent. But if your focus is excellence and the public trust, well, it's time to fundraise a little harder, people, and figure out the budgets to keep the organization responsible and functional. You did it for the building. Now do it for the people who make the building tick.

I'll be watching to see how the new AGO board president—announced today of all days—will affect the situation. The new prez is none other than Tony Gagliano, he of Luminato's cash-flush coffers. My first thought was, will this mean the AGO will do more Luminato stuff? My second: Well, at least Gagliano is good at raising money. We'll see what happens.

Image from OPSEU

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Monday, April 6, 2009

Weekend Links: AGO Layoffs, Montreal Curator Smackdown and More


Some newsy links from over the weekend:

The Art Gallery of Ontario announces layoffs just before their Massive Party fundraiser. Classy. The CBC says layoffs number 70, the Toronto Star says only 23. Union to respond today, apparently.

Montreal Curator Smackdown! The National Post reports that Quebec uber-curator Louise Dery does not approve of the celeb-oriented Yoko Ono/John Lennon exhibition just opened at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. The show was led by MMFA head Natalie Bondil.

Hey guess what? After years of being lumped in with tourism, parks and recreation, Alberta culture actually has a separate ministry. FFWD has an interview with the new minister.

I'm late on this news, but AGYU curator Michael Maranda released a "Waging Culture" report last week that confirms artists barely make a living. Gabby Moser has some comments on whether day jobs might actually be a good thing. The Star offers report highlights.

Toronto city government hasn't let the recession cut their arts spending; they've increased it by 2%. The Star reports.

The Images Festival kicked off in Toronto this week -- Jason Anderson reviewed one piece for Artforum.com. Local media reports here here here and here.

Murray Whyte at the Star talks new native art as a related show, Remix, opens at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Image of "Imagine Peace" bed-in redo in Montreal from the National Post

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