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Donate 2020-04-17T05:15:26-04:00

EVERY DONATION COUNTS

The Aird Gallery is one of the only few remaining public galleries in Toronto. Open free of charge to visitors as a public amenity and space, the Aird Gallery provides a nurturing atmosphere for both artist and viewer. Public art galleries are diminishing and there is a growing need for exhibition spaces for Ontario and Canadian artists, especially young and mid-career artists, exactly those that cannot afford to exhibit at private and large commercial galleries. Since 2008, the Aird Gallery has been operating as a charity and all of our resources go to exhibition programming and public engagement. We are a champion of culture and visual arts in the province. Working with a limited operating budget, the Aird generates its funds through a simple revenue model in which funding come from exhibition rentals, art sales, donations, fundraising and sponsorships.

The Aird offers educational programming through free public-offerings and learning events including artist talks, panel discussions and curatorial open houses. The gallery encourages youth engagement by providing secondary and post-secondary students an opportunity to build mandatory volunteer hours for their OSSD Diploma and experiential learning programs. Likewise, the Aird supports the involvement of seniors and retirees as volunteer docents and event volunteers for exhibitions.

As the gallery enters a new phase in its life, donations are needed to help fund new exhibitions that engage with themes that are socially relevant, thought provoking, inspiring, and representational of the current art scene in Canada. The gallery is open to the public and entry is free of charge. Your support is essential. To donate to the Aird Gallery click here. Donors of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt issued by Canada Helps.

Charitable BN#: 858505191RR0001

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Aird Facts

12    Exhibitions per year. The gallery, partnering with Ontario and Canadian non-for-profit art organizations, academia, and the broader art community, does a show every month, including hosting educational programs, opening receptions and ministry events.


30
    Over thirty years of excellence in the visual arts. We have a mandate to create awareness and enjoyment of art works by provincial, national and international artists.


100
    Year-round, over 100 volunteers contribute their time, expertise and passion to keep the gallery alive. We call them “Friends of the Aird”.


300
    Over 300 exhibitions have been featured at the gallery over the past 30 years (since 1985).


500
    Over 500 artists per year are featured at the 12+ exhibitions – more than many other private/public galleries.


200,000
    Since 1985, over 200,000 visitors have enjoyed the gallery and its welcoming, open and attractive space.

VOLUNTEER AT THE AIRD

The Aird is built on a foundation of passion and creative energy. With the vision of the Board of Directors and its curator, and a welcoming atmosphere created by the Docent Group, the Aird Gallery opens its doors to the Toronto art community to provide accessible exhibition space to contemporary professional artists. The gallery’s success as a comfortable, peaceful place to contemplate art reflects the power of its volunteers. The Aird Gallery’s volunteer team is very much a family and we encourage you to join. Currently over 100 volunteers contribute their time, expertise and passion to keep the gallery alive.

The Docent Group takes care of the day-to-day operation of the gallery by sitting in two shifts covering the 10 AM to 6 PM gallery hours. Members of the Docent Group are specially trained for each new exhibition and primarily welcome visitors into the gallery and answer any inquiries regarding current exhibitions. They keep the gallery tidy, accept mail and deliveries, and keep the Director and Curator informed of activities and requests. The Docent Group also helps with the setup and tear-down of special events that the Aird hosts such as the Lunch and Learn series and Artist Discussions. The Aird also benefits from the volunteer efforts of our founding art societies: The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, The Sculptors Society of Canada (SSC), and The Ontario Society of Artists (OSA) that lend a hand during exhibition preparations with the taking in of art, the details of opening receptions, and at the end of an exhibition, the return of the art work to the artists.

Volunteer now.