AGO to close temporarily

The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, visitors and our extended AGO community is always our top priority. It is for this reason, and on the direction of the Government of Ontario, that the AGO closed temporarily on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. We will continue to monitor the situation and look forward to welcoming visitors to the AGO again.

Now more than ever, art can help lift our spirits and support our wellbeing

Although the AGO is closed, we will still be engaging with our AGO community:

The doors to our building may be closed, but please enjoy our online collections, sign up for the AGOinsider, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

What lies ahead?

To help curb growing cases of COVID-19, on January 12, 2021 the Government of Ontario issued a stay-at-home order, and declared a second state of emergency. In compliance with these new measures, the AGO will be closed until further notice.

We will continue to be guided by the advice of local, provincial and national public health officials, consider all government recommendations and will make decisions as needed regarding any additional measures.

We will be contacting visitors who have booked tickets to arrange for refunds. For our AGO Members and Annual Pass Holders we will be accessing your renewal dates and will advise of any changes once the Gallery reopens.

As a non-profit arts organization, the AGO is grateful for our community’s continued support through these unprecedented times.

For up-to-date health information, please visit www.toronto.ca/coronavirus, www.ontario.ca/coronavirus  or www.canada.ca/coronavirus.

 

FAQs

November COVID-19 Update FAQ

I have purchased tickets, will I receive a refund?

Yes, everyone who purchased a ticket during the temporary closure period will receive a refund. We will be contacting customers who have booked tickets for refunds.

Will shopAGO and the AGO Bistro remain open?

shopAGO’s physical store is closed. . But, you can always shop online and have your purchases delivered. You can schedule curbside pickup Tuesday to Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. AGO Members, please visit the Members login page before shopping online.

The AGO Bistro is closed until January 14, 2021. Online preorders for offers inspired by Studio 54: Night Magic are available now! Check out our new Disco Afternoon Tea program, and Studio 54-inspired Curated Dinner Series. Orders will be available starting January 15th.

Will courses and programs be impacted by the closure?

The AGO’s online learning will continue during the closure!

While we are not able to see you in person, we are excited to welcome you virtually with our Virtual School Programs. You can still join us for a free live art education program, happening daily, Monday to Friday via Zoom.

Our team has been working on creating new online course offerings. All courses and one-day workshops are proceeding as planned.

You can also visit our Learn and Make page for some great art activities to do from home.

Many of our in-gallery performances have been cancelled and / or postponed during the temporary lockdown. Please visit our Programs and Events webpage for more information.

Will the expiry date of my Membership / Annual Pass change?

Our Members and Annual Pass Holders mean the world to us. Your sustained unwavering support of the AGO is deeply appreciated – especially during this unprecedented time. To ensure our Members and Annual Pass Holders can continue to enjoy all the great experiences the Gallery has to offer we are prepared to offer an extension to your expiry date to reflect the length of time you’ll miss during this temporary closure. We can't wait to welcome you back!

Please contact us via email at contactus@ago.ca or call 416-979-6608 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) with any questions, concerns or requests about your General Membership or Annual Pass and we will respond as soon as possible. 

Curators’ Circle and AGO Next: In recognition of their philanthropic support, Curators’ Circle and AGO Next members will receive an additional tax receipt in lieu of a membership extension, reflecting the value of benefits not received during the AGO’s closure. 

Corporate Members: to honor our members, Corporate Members will have the opportunity to extend their membership or receive 10 tickets to the AGO. For more information or questions, please contact Madeleine Dalkie by email or call 416-979-6660 x 6292.

I have questions about Curators' Circle, AGO Next, Corporate Membership or my donation to the AGO. Who can I contact?

If you are inquiring about your Curators' Circle or AGO Next membership, please contact Leah Rakopoulos by email or call 416.979.6660 x 6526. For donation inquiries, please contact Michelle Greenspoon by email or call 416.979.6660 x 6213. For Corporate Memberships, please email Madeleine Dalkie or call 416.979.6660 x 6292.

Will the AGO be screening employees before entering the Gallery?

Yes. Specific questions (see below) will be asked of all employees before each shift. Only employees who are critical to sustaining the AGO’s operation will be onsite while we are closed.

  • Have you had close contact with or cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days?
  • Have you been in close contact with anyone who has traveled within the last 14 days outside of Canada?
  • Have you experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days (including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory illness, difficulty breathing)?
  • Have you attended any mass gatherings in the last 14 days where proper health and safety protocols were not used?

How will the AGO respond if someone who’s recently been inside the building later tests positive for COVID-19?

If we become aware that a person who has recently been inside the AGO later tests positive for COVID-19, we will take swift and decisive steps to limit the risk to our visitors, employees, volunteers and the general public. We will:

  • Follow the guidance of public health officials
  • Decide on how best to carry out any necessary additional deep cleaning and sanitation, which might include temporarily closing the AGO
  • Notify employees, visitors, and other entrants to the Gallery who may have had close direct contact with the individual and advise those people to self-isolate for a period of 14 days and follow guidance from public health officials
  • Notify, whenever appropriate, the AGO community via email, our e-newsletters, social media channels, and our website that a person (whom we will not identify) who had been in the Gallery on a specific date later tested positive for COVID-19
  • Communicate closely with public health officials, providing them with information relevant to their investigation of the case, wherever necessary or required by law 

As we safely reopen the AGO to Members, Annual Pass Holders and the public, the health and safety of everyone entering the Gallery is of paramount importance. We have and will continue to be guided by the advice of public health officials.

Is your Contact Centre open?

Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.). You can also contact us via email at contactus@ago.ca with any questions, concerns, or requests and we will respond as soon as possible.

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