AGO Extension Services

The AGO’s Extension Services department was a successor to the Art Institute of Ontario, which operated from 1952-1968 and was run by a consortium of galleries in Ontario to exchange exhibitions, lectures, and other services. In 1968 Extension Services took over these operations as a department of the AGO with a mandate to circulate art exhibitions, workshops, lectures, films, and media throughout the province of Ontario. This scope reflected a broader role for the Gallery, which had changed its name in 1966 from the Art Gallery of Toronto to the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Extension Services curated an original exhibition programme that travelled throughout Ontario and also circulated exhibitions from the AGO’s main curatorial department. The scope of Extension Services programs was broader than the AGO’s main curatorial department, and included contemporary Canadian artists; non-Western art; and media, art, textiles, design, and ceramics.

Extension Services’ Contact exhibition series was intended for smaller centres with varying environmental and security conditions, and ran from 1978-1999.

Extension Services also operated the Artists with their Work program, which offered a rotating roster of Canadian artists from around the province who could be booked for exhibitions and workshops at local centres including art galleries, artist centres, colleges and universities, and public libraries.

Extension Services has been part of multiple departments and programs at the AGO. From 1968-1976, Extension Services was part of the “Extension and Education” department. From 1981-1992 it was a department within the Curatorial Branch. From 1992-1995 Extension operated as becomes a department within the newly formed Education, Outreach and Public Programming Division. In 1995, Extension services was disbanded and Education, Outreach, and Public Programming became part of the Curatorial Division. Remaining Extension staff continued to report to the Curatorial division until 1999 when all Extension programs concluded.

Heads of Extension Services:
1963-1967: Nancy E. Robertson, Curator of Extension and Education Department.
1967-1976: William C. Forsey, Curator of Extension and Education Department. In 1968 his title was changed to Director of the Education and Extension Department.
1976-1979: Nancy Hushion, Head of Extension Services.
1980 – 1981: Penny-Lynn Grosman, Head of Extension Services
1982-1995: Glenda Milrod, Head of Extension Services.

https://galeries-ontario-galleries.ca/resources/archive/

Created by Al Stanton-Hagan, December 2025.

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