Bigger and brighter than ever, Art Bash gala raises record $1.2 million in support of AGO exhibitions and programs

Inspired by great works of art from the AGO’s collection of Modern Art, on September 26, 2024, the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) annual fundraiser Art Bash set new records for attendance and funds raised. The sold-out event, presented by Tricon Residential, brought more than 1000 AGO supporters together raising a record-setting $1.2 million to support the museum’s collections, exhibitions and access programs. This fundraising achievement is the largest for the event to date and caps a 2023/2024 exhibition season when the AGO welcomed near-record high attendance levels. The 2024 edition of Art Bash was co-chaired by Beth Horowitz and Sunir Chandaria.

“The enthusiasm for this year’s Art Bash was tremendous,” said Chandaria and Horowitz. “A celebration of art, fashion, food, décor, drinks and music, Art Bash is Canada’s Art Party. And proved once again, the incredible power art has to bring people together.”

“The AGO’s future is bright. Art Bash was a great success because of our communities’ support. This momentum is just the start as we are currently building the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery – this generation’s gift to our community,” said Stephan Jost, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. “Thank you to Sunir Chandaria, Beth Horowitz, and the entire Art Bash Committee for your tireless commitment to making great art, access and learning experiences possible.”

The AGO thanks VIP Event Sponsor RBC Capital Markets and Entertainment Sponsor Intact Financial Corporation and our 2024 Art Bash Committee members: Emily Ben-Haim, Tarini Chandak, Robbie Cooper, Robyn Doritty, Francesca Feldman, Alan Ganev, Amanda Gotlieb, Mona Halem, Christi Himmelheber, Brianne Leeder, Alistair Leyland, Emily Masuda, Jack-Malcolm Samedi, Madeline Sarracini, Daniel Schlaepfer, Divya Shahani, Jaime Shulman, Joanna Smeeth, Sheryl Song, Susan Wortzman, Meghan Yuri Young.

Contributing artists for this year’s Art Bash included musical performers DJ Grump, Kiesza, Ralph, Tynomi Banks and DJ Kill Them With Colour. The museum welcomed one-night-only art installations by contemporary artists Dan Jamieson, Scott Everingham, Sean Weisgerber and Mony Zakhour. Décor for the event was provided by Candice & Alison.  Cutting-edge fashion provided by Canadian designers Narces and Shellie Oh. The VIP dinner was designed by the AGO Culinary team.

SAVE THE DATE! Art Bash will return on Thursday, September 25, 2025, to celebrate the AGO’s 125th anniversary with an event led by Co-Chairs Victoria Jackman, Trinity Jackman and Consuelo Jackman.

Purchase an AGO membership or Annual Pass and to get unlimited access to the AGO Collection and the ongoing exhibition Moments in Modernism. Admission is always free for Ontarians under 25 and Indigenous Peoples.

@AGOToronto | #SeeAGO

Contributing Sponsors:
Altas Partners
BMO Wealth Management
Camrost Felcorp
Creghan McConnel Gould
Empire Communities
Ewing Morris
First Avenue Investment Counsel
Forum Asset Management
Goodmans LLP
Hampton Securities
Hatch
Kilmer Group
North Drive Investments
Pal Insurance
RPIA
Scotiabank
TasDesign

Contributing Patrons:
The Chandaria Family
Diamond Schmitt Architects

Rupert Duchesne
Lorne Gertner & Emily Masuda
Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin
Maxwell & Heather Gotlieb
John Griffin

The Robert Harding Foundation
Sholeh & Tawfiq Popatia

Susan Niczowski
Susan Wortzman & David Lever
Lewitt Family Foundation

The MacNamara Family
Dani Reiss
Jay Smith

Event Experience Sponsors:
Carlsberg
KRP
Narces
Northern Valet by Indigo
Ole Mocktails
Ontarieau
Roar Organic
Partake Brewing
Seedlip
Shinzo Media
Spirit of York
Tequila Tromba
The Butcher Shoppe
Toronto Fashion Academy

Media Partner: The Kit
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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