Introduction
The Art Gallery of Alberta cultivates an environment in which curatorial research, artistic inquiry, creativity, historical investigation and education are at the core of our function and program. We are committed to values of free inquiry, intellectual expertise, and productive argument among divergent points of view and foster a culture of listening, learning and improvement.
Policy
The AGA values open inquiry, expertise, and the inclusion of diverse points of view, in our exhibitions and programs. Through this activity, the AGA serves the crucial role of sharing and contributing to the knowledge of art and culture, in our society, and contributing to public education about art and artists.
The AGA recognizes a responsibility to speak publicly in order to protect and promote the core functions of a public art museum and to support the rights of artists and our shared freedom of expression. The AGA may issue a public statement when these rights are threatened and when issues arise that are directly relevant to the AGA’s mission and operations.
The AGA cares deeply about the well-being of our staff, members, audiences and communities. We feel empathy for those affected by events of the moment, whether wars, conflicts, natural disasters, or different forms of persecution. The AGA will not, however, issue official or public statements about political or global situations or events that do not directly affect our core mission, mandate and programs or on other matters that are outside of our area of institutional expertise.
For the AGA, curatorial integrity and the rights of artists are paramount. Works of art in AGA exhibitions may awe, illuminate, enchant, challenge, unsettle, confound, provoke, and, at times, offend. We respect the freedom that artists have to create content and exhibit works of art in a country where making, exhibiting and experiencing such work is a protected right.
Inevitably, artistic content may express the experience, history, opinion or point of view of its maker. By exhibiting a work of art, however, the AGA does not endorse the opinions of the artist. We also uphold the right of our audience members to have and experience diverse visions and points of view. If controversies arise from an exhibition or a work of art, we welcome public discussion and debate with the belief that such discussion is integral to the experience of art and to the role of the public art museum.
Abusive, threatening, discriminatory and/or hateful social media activity, including but not limited to posts, comments, engagements and shares will not be tolerated on AGA social media accounts.
Approved by the Board of Directors: November 28, 2024