Founded in 1979 in Durham, West Grey, the Durham Art Gallery is a regional arts organization serving Grey and Bruce Counties. Our mandate is to inspire, educate and delight people of all ages through access to a wide range of contemporary art. We embrace a multidisciplinary view of cultural practice and present visual and media art together with literary and performance events.
From our earliest incarnation in the local library to our current purpose-built home, the Gallery’s evolution has been marked by transformation and maturity. Over the past years we have introduced new exciting initiatives: off-site exhibitions in supermarkets, public parks and local businesses; satellite events in under-served communities; collaborations with art universities and colleges across Ontario, and the launch of several professional arts festivals: the Words Aloud Spoken Word Festival began as a collaborative effort between the Gallery and the Words Aloud Collective. Hosted by the Gallery and organized in collaboration with OCAD University, the Common Pulse Festival is a panorama of emerging art genres and practices.
The Durham Art Gallery provides a welcoming, inclusive centre for community engagement and appreciation of contemporary art, ideas, and culture, while continuing to build Community, Equity, and Diversity through responsible stewardship. We produce dynamic public programs that inspire creativity, appreciation, dialogue and engagement while building bridges to span the perceived gap between contemporary art and rural communities.
Durham Art Gallery rests on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. The Métis Nation of Ontario, whose history and people are also well represented in what are now known as Bruce and Grey Counties. We are committed to re-framing our responsibilities to land, history and community. We acknowledge that words are insufficient and that it is our responsibility to move beyond statements and words as we continue to listen, learn and uphold the critical importance of truth, reconciliation and reparation. In line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, we are committed to the dismantling of anti-Indigenous racism and discriminatory practices against Indigenous People.
