Art Gallery of Ontario Closes as Over 400 Workers Strike
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is currently closed to the public due to a strike by over 400 workers, members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) Local 535, over issues of low wages. The strike began on Tuesday (26 March) after negotiations with museum administrators broke down. The union is pushing for improvements in key areas such as wage increases and protections for precarious part-time workers. The workers, which include various roles such as curators, technicians, and visitor services staff, are demanding fair compensation to keep up with the cost of living in Toronto.
The strike highlights broader issues in the Canadian art world, including the impact of low wages and temporary contract work on cultural sector workers. The AGO’s planned expansion project, which includes a new contemporary art gallery, has raised questions about spending priorities within the institution. The strike also comes on the heels of a controversy surrounding the departure of First Nations curator Wanda Nanibush last November.
The AGO is facing pressure to address the concerns of its workers and reach a fair agreement with the union. The cultural sector’s ongoing struggles with labor issues and the broader economic challenges faced by workers in the arts highlight the importance of fair compensation and support for those contributing to the cultural fabric of society.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.