The CPN includes more than 240 local businesses, agencies and institutions who are broadening their capacity to engage with diverse communities and
build relationships. In each edition we highlight one of our CPN members and the work they do to support diversity.
Getting newcomer immigrants, refugees and diverse communities to embrace the local Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) has not always been easy – but it is changing!
The AGGV has been a member of the CPN since 2013. When it first opened its doors in 1951, the AGGV exhibited art in the historic 1889 Victorian mansion that is now adjacent to its seven modern galleries. With almost 20,000 works of art, the Art Gallery has the largest public collection in BC and is a vibrant and active part of Victoria’s arts community.
Always popular with long term residents of Victoria, the AGGV is keen to promote diversity and inclusion with a more diverse general public. Recently, the AGGV has undertaken initiatives to increase attendance and build connections with diverse communities. For example, early in 2016 the AGGV provided cross cultural diversity training for staff and volunteers.
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AGGV staff at recent diversity training workshop.
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The training, provided by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, included a series of learning modules that helped staff to better understand cultural barriers, personal biases and cross cultural communication tools. Wanting to improve direct engagement with non-English speaking visitors, AGGV staff also completed training on the We Speak Translate initiative and Google Translate App- a handy smart phone tool that allows users to communicate across more than 100 languages.
To further “open the doors” to the gallery, the AGGV started the Warm Welcome Pass initiative in October 2016. More than 200 family passes were provided to ICA to distribute to newcomers to enjoy the art gallery free of charge. With the arrival of Syrian refugees in 2016 in our region, the AGGV saw this as an opportunity to directly connect with the Muslim community. The AGGV invited the local Girl Guide group from the Al-Iman Masjid Mosque to attend the AGGV’s Family Sunday programming. Daughters, mothers, fathers and siblings from the Muslim community enjoyed this opportunity to attend the Gallery with many returning again and again for follow up visits.
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Arbutus School Students in front of “Honouring” mural at AGGV.
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Recognizing we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Songhees First
Nation, the AGGV
recently collaborated with Arbutus Global Middle School students. These young artists created the “Honouring” mural with local artist Jesse Campbell. The mural honours resilient Indigenous women, and all women.
As a CPN member, the AGGV is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its gallary walls and with the broader community. AGGV staff have found innovative ways to reach out to and build connections across diverse communities and cultures. Janyce Ronson, Director of Advancement at the AGGV, shared her thoughts about the value of the CPN and these initiatives:
“The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is first and foremost a place of people, ideas, and experiences…With openess and inclusivity, the AGGV is dedicated to working together to affect social changes and foster greater well-being in our community. Through our partnership with the CPN, we are able to share, learn and grow in our commitment to honouring diverse perspectives and engaging in meaningful conversations.”
To learn more about the AGGV, visit their website at: Art Gallery
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