About this Event
Canadians are experiencing a renewed sense of who we are and why it matters to be us – is now the time to respond to decades of demand for a National Portrait Gallery?
While the majority of countries include portraits of their 'great and good' in their history museums, art galleries, archives and monuments; some countries have chosen a more democratic path – creating stand-alone National Institutions in their capital cities that celebrate not only the political and military greats, but also the change-makers in every walk of life, age, ethnicity and talent. Canada has no institutional equivalent – is this a quiet statement about our national character and preference for practical leadership over hero-worship, or a decentralized sense of identity that resists a single national narrative? Or is it simply an overlooked institutional gap that deserves to be filled?
Acclaimed UK-based architect Jamie Fobert, celebrated Indigenous curator and historian Tim Johnson, and writer and activist Sarah Lazarovic join moderator Gail Lord for a wide-ranging conversation about what such an institution could mean for the country.
Together they’ll examine the case for a National Portrait Gallery: what it might contain, how it could meaningfully include and center Indigenous voices and communities, where it might be located, and how it could be funded and supported – including whether the political will currently exists to make it a reality. The panel will also consider what a distinctly Canadian portrait gallery might look like in contrast to its counterparts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and what unique story it could tell about the nation and its people.
Q&A to follow.
About this event’s guests:
Jamie Fobert
Tim Johnson
Sarah Lazarovic
Gail Lord
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PLAN YOUR VISIT:
Location: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor
Time: Doors open 6:00pm, Event starts 7:00pm.
Tickets: Free registration required.
Ticket policy: We oversell these events to ensure that the greatest number of people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets guaranteed until 6:45pm or until capacity is reached. Seating first come, first served.
Accessibility: TPL is committed to accessibility. If you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation for this event, please contact [email protected] or 416-393-7099 at least three weeks prior to the event.
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This event is part of our signature Salon Series, where we host local and international authors, artists and thinkers in conversation about their new books and big ideas.
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Information Collection Notice: The personal information on this form is collected by the Toronto Public Library under the Public Libraries Act, sections 20(a), 20(c), and 20(d). The information will only be used for event and program registration, delivery and evaluation. Registrants may be contacted to fill out a brief survey following the program. Questions about how the library handles your information can be directed to Answerline staff at [email protected], 416-397-5981, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M4W 2G8.
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM
Doors Open
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Main Event: Jamie Fobert, Tim Johnson, Sarah Lazarovic in conversation
Event venue & nearby stays
Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada
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