Today, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) announced that after eight successful years, Julian Cox has chosen to move on from his role as Deputy Director & Chief Curator.
Under Julian’s leadership the AGO has experienced collection growth, organized and toured acclaimed exhibitions, and commissioned significant public artworks.
“Julian has had a profound and positive impact on the AGO. The quality and appeal of the AGO’s exhibitions, the significant growth of the collection, and his deep commitment to scholarship, all stand as hallmarks of his successful tenure,” said Stephan Jost, Director and CEO, AGO. “On a personal note, we will greatly miss his collegiality, leadership, and generosity of spirit. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his journey.”
Julian has brought critically-acclaimed and audience-beloved exhibitions to AGO audiences – from Matthew Wong: Blue View, Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows, KAWS: FAMILY to the currently on view Ranbir Sidhu: No Limits. Some of these exhibitions toured to other museums, strengthening the AGO’s international reputation.
In his role, Julian oversaw the founding of the Department of Global Africa & the Diaspora, encouraged cross-departmental collaboration, supported scholarly research, publishing, and stewarded the collection through strategic deaccessioning, acquisitions and commissions. As a result, the AGO collection has grown in quality and quantity across Modern & Contemporary, European, Indigenous & Canadian, Photography, Prints & Drawings and Arts of Global Africa & the Diaspora.
Among the notable acquisitions he championed were works from the Montgomery Collection of Caribbean photographs, the Estate of Philip B. Lind, and the photographs of Peter Hujar. In 2022, he oversaw the installation of the AGO’s first public art commission, Couch Monster: Sadzěʔ yaaghęhch’ill, a monumental bronze sculpture by Brian Jungen for the corner of Dundas & McCaul.
Julian’s last day with the AGO will be April 13, 2026. In the coming months, the AGO will begin recruitment for this role.