Step in and Look: An Examination of the Unique Educational Roles of Canada's University Art Galleries

Abstract

Across Canada’s forty-six university art galleries (UAGs), education is a priority. This thesis looks at the ways that Canadian UAGs engage with different publics through the diverse learning opportunities they offer. At the core of my analyses is an emphasis on museum learning that is planned and delivered through meaningful collaboration with the community. By looking at the unique role of UAGs as it differs from that of other public galleries, I will research how, through educational programming and outreach, UAGs build and maintain partnerships with publics both within and outside of their host universities. Gathering from the responses to a survey and interviews that I conducted with UAG professionals, as well as from the current literature in the field, this thesis provides an introduction into some of the core elements of education and outreach in these spaces. Before looking into some of the common ways that UAGs engage with publics, I examine their general capacities for education and outreach, particularly regarding funding and staffing. Here, I also analyse the role of UAG professionals as mentors to the student staff they often hire. Next, I look at two widely -offered learning programs across UAGs—participatory workshops open to the general public, and gallery visits exclusive to university classes. I conclude the thesis by investigating the ways in which UAGs evaluate the successes and limitations of their education and outreach offerings.