AGO Art Bash gala marks 125 years of great art, raises record $1.4 million in support of the museum

TORONTO — Capping a summer of 125th anniversary celebrations, the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) annual fundraiser Art Bash set new records for funds raised. Presented by Tricon, the event on September 25, 2025, brought more than 1000 AGO supporters together — many of whom are part of the AGO’s storied past, dynamic present and exciting future — to raise more than $1.4 million to support the museum’s collections, exhibitions and access programs. This fundraising achievement is the largest for the event to date. The 2025 edition of Art Bash was co-chaired by Consuelo Jackman, Trinity Jackman and Victoria Jackman.

“Art Bash is Canada’s Art Party, and now more than ever, museums play a critical role in public life. This year’s event was a remarkable celebration of art and community,” says event co-chairs Consuelo Jackman, Trinity Jackman and Victoria Jackman. “We were so proud to be chairing Art Bash as the AGO celebrates its 125th anniversary, and to carry forward our family’s long legacy with the museum.”

“The AGO started with a gift when Harriet Boulton Smith gave her home, the Grange House, and a dream of creating an Art Gallery for Ontario. Today, a community of supporters continue to build the AGO as each generation aspires to leave a better art gallery for the next,” says Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO, Art Gallery of Ontario.  “Like the AGO, Art Bash is made possible by our incredible community of supporters. Thank you to Consuelo Jackman, Trinity Jackman, Victoria Jackman, and to our Art Bash Committees for your tireless commitment to culture and making Toronto even better – for all of us.”  

AGO Art Bash VIP Event Sponsor is RBC Capital Markets and Entertainment Sponsor is Intact Insurance. The 2025 VIP Dinner Committee is Daniel Abichandani, Sonja Berman, Sunir Chandaria, Rochelle de Goias-Jackman, Jessica de Ruiter, Cleophee Eaton, Daniel Faria, Andrew Federer, Francesca Feldman, Emmanuelle Gattuso, Amanda Gotlieb, Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, Robert Harding, Beth Horowitz, Rosamond Ivey, Shanitha Kachan, Josée Letarte, Emily Masuda, Liza Mauer, Jennifer Tanenbaum, Susan Wortzman and Robin Young.  The 2025 Art Party Committee is Tarini Chandak, Erika Ceddia, Nina Neimarlija, Jack-Malcolm Samedi, Madeline Sarracini, Jaime Shulman. 

Contributing artists for this year’s Art Bash included musical performers Felix Cartal, Dre Ngozi, and the Nat Beja Trio, and a burlesque performance by Cake Cabaret and Dangerous Beauty Entertainment. The museum welcomed one-night-only art installations by contemporary artists Fiona Freemark, Jacob Robert Whibley, Marie Lambin-Gagnon, Marigold Santos, Moses Salihou, and Rachel Joanis. Décor for the event was provided by Candice & Alison. The VIP dinner was designed by the AGO Culinary team. 

SAVE THE DATE! Art Bash will return on Thursday September 24, 2026

Purchase an AGO membership or Annual Pass to get unlimited access to the AGO Collection and all exhibitions.  Admission is always free for all Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members, and Annual Passholders. For more details on how to book your tickets or to become a Member or Annual Passholder, visit AGO.ca. 

@AGOToronto | #SeeAGO

Anniversary Patrons:
Anonymous
Camrost Felcorp
La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso
The Gerald Sheff and Shanitha Kachan Foundation
The Jackman Family
Kaiser-Rotman Foundation
The Kilmer Group
Liza Mauer and Andrew Sheiner
Maxine Granovsky Gluskin and Ira Gluskin
The Robert Harding Foundation

Contributing Sponsors: 
Empire Homes
Ewing Morris
Hatch
RPIA
Scotiabank
Shiplake
Torys LLP
University of Toronto Data Sciences Institute 

Contributing Patrons:
Anonymous
Beth Horowitz
The Chandaria Family
The Dani Reiss Foundation 
Daniel Abichandani
Diamond Schmitt Architects
Lorne Gertner and Emily Masuda
Jay Smith
Jed Lind and Jessica de Ruiter
The Koolum Foundation
The MacNamara Family 
The Michael Young Family Foundation
Rosamond Ivey
Susan Wortzman & David Lever
The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation
Women’s Art Initiative 

Event Experience Sponsors:
Carlsberg
KRP 
Gruvi
Labelle Wines 
Northern Valet by Indigo
Ontarieau
Perrier-Jouët
Seedlip
Shinzo Media
Somersby
Spirit of York
Tequila Tromba
The Butcher Shoppe

Media Sponsors: The Kit, Stingray Media
Creative Partner: Certo Creative 


ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. The AGO is embarking on the seventh expansion it has undertaken since the museum was founded in 1900. When completed, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will increase exhibition space for the museum’s growing modern and contemporary collection. With its groundbreaking Annual Pass program, the AGO is one of the most affordable and accessible attractions in the GTA. Visit ago.ca to learn more.

The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.  Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors, and private-sector partners.

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For images and more information, please contact:

Andrea-Jo Wilson | Manager, Public Relations
[email protected]

Wendy So | Communications Officer
[email protected]

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