Art Gallery of Ontario says ‘thank you’ to front-line workers with a year of free art

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) extends an artful thank you to the many front-line workers — in hospitals, grocery stores, on public transit and elsewhere — who kept Ontario’s essential services running during the onset of COVID-19. Now thru August 16, 2020, front-line workers residing in Ontario are invited to sign up for a free AGO Annual Pass.
 
Valid for one year, the Annual Pass will allow front-line workers to book a timed-entry ticket for free, whenever they wish. The offer applies to residents of Ontario who are employed in health care, emergency services, grocery stores, sanitation, and public transit among others. Front-line workers will need to show proof of employment on their first visit. For a complete list of eligible workers and to register online, visit https://tickets.ago.ca/events/ago-annual-pass-front-line-workers.
 
“COVID-19 has impacted all of us, but front-line workers have kept our community moving while most of us remained at home. It is with deep gratitude that we extend this invitation to front-line workers. Thank you,” says Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO of the AGO. “The restorative power of art should not be underestimated — it can lift our spirits and support our wellbeing. Now more than ever, we are excited to welcome our community back to the gallery to recharge with art.”
 
Introduced in May 2019, the $35 AGO Annual Pass offers individuals twelve months of great art and includes access to the AGO Collection and all special exhibitions. Pass holders can enter the Gallery as often as they wish—and stay for as long as they wish— with the advance booking of a timed-entry ticket.

The AGO community currently includes more than 150,000 Annual Pass holders. The AGO is grateful to the donors, sponsors and Members whose support makes the Annual Pass program possible. Their ongoing support enables the Gallery to open its doors wide, making great art experiences available to everyone.

Thank you to the generous foundational supporters whose initial commitment helped make the Access Initiative possible:
 
Lead Support:                        
BMO Financial Group
The Lindy Green Family Charitable Foundation
Robert Harding & Angel Yang
Richard Rooney & Laura Dinner
The Schulich Foundation
Anonymous Donor
 
Generous Support:                 
The Bennett Family Foundation
Hal Jackman Foundation
Robin & David Young
 
@AGOToronto | #AGOannualpass
 
ABOUT THE AGO ANNUAL PASS
AGO Annual Passes are available at AGO.ca. Annual Pass holders receive a digital card for their smartphones so that they don’t have to wait in line for tickets; they simply present their digital pass to be scanned upon arrival. Passes are valid for one year from date of sign-up. Passes are optional for visitors 14-17, but are required (for free admission) for those who are 18-25. Passes are not available for those under 14, but admission is free. Single-visit tickets without a Pass or Membership are $25.
 
ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 105,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. In 2019, the AGO launched a bold new initiative designed to make the museum even more welcoming and accessible with the introduction of free admission for anyone 25 years and under and a $35 annual pass. Visit AGO.ca to learn more.
 
The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors and private-sector partners.