Beth Horowitz and Pat Munson have dedicated countless volunteer hours to the AGO—and their legacy is just beginning
Art brings people together. Just ask Beth Horowitz and Pat Munson, whose love of art helped spark their journey as a couple and as AGO Volunteers — and inspired them to create a shared legacy at the AGO through a planned gift.
Beth’s fascination with art began when she was a young child growing up in suburban New York, in close proximity to famed institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
“Some of my earliest memories are going to museums with my family,” Beth recalls. “It was only years later that I realized how truly fortunate I was to have experiences with some of the world’s greatest art from an early age.” Beth also fondly recounts a story from her early teens, when, together with a friend, she chose the MoMA as the destination for her first unsupervised trip into Manhattan.
Beth would later do a minor in art history at Cornell University, including a graduate seminar that produced an exhibition catalogue. After graduating, Beth spent time in the non-profit sector, but ultimately chose to pursue her MBA. From there, she went on to a successful business career that culminated with her role as President and CEO of Amex Canada.
As a high-profile corporate leader, Beth was in demand to serve on the boards of corporations and non-profits. Her love of art led her to choose the AGO. “At the time, they were looking for a few younger Trustees with business expertise, and my experience in marketing, strategy and general management was considered of value,” she says. “Also, I think they liked the fact that I knew something about art.”
Since then, Beth has served on several AGO Board committees and sub-committees, providing wise guidance while building her own knowledge and appreciation of art.
Along the way, she met someone who changed her life on an even deeper level.
Beth and Pat first crossed paths in 2008, and by 2010 Pat—like Beth, a transplanted American who is now a dual citizen—had relocated to Canada. Pat’s appreciation for art had developed later in life, but he was equally passionate and they bonded over this common connection.
The couple even had their first kiss at Grange Park, in the shadow of the AGO. The museum has since been a focal point for their relationship. “Being with Beth has opened up a whole new world for me and helped me broaden my horizons,” Pat says.
Pat began volunteering at the Marvin Gelber Print and Drawing Study Centre in 2011. “It has been an eye-opening experience to learn so much about this part of the gallery,” Pat says. “I’ve loved working with all the wonderful staff and volunteers, many of whom have a lot of experience and expertise. I get to be part of some amazing conversations.”
From serving on the AGO Board of Trustees to exploring the vaults of the Print and Drawing Centre, Beth and Pat have a 360-degree perspective on the museum. They have helped the AGO evolve over the years, and their shared service has also helped them grow as individuals and as a couple.
Together, they remain remarkably generous, both in terms of volunteer time and the legacy gift they recently pledged to the AGO in their Will.
“We hope that future generations will find the same rewarding experiences that we’ve had, and that the AGO continues to provide a place of learning, engagement, and important conversations,” Beth says. “The world will only become more complex, and people need places that help them find greater meaning and belonging.
“If we can help in some small way to ensure that the AGO has an enduring impact, that makes us happy.”
This story is being shared as part of an ongoing series on AGO Legacy Giving. The series focuses on our generous community of planned giving donors who take pride in ensuring that future audiences can experience the joy and wonder of art.