Art Gallery of York University

The collection of art at York University was established in 1959 when a decision was made to allocate.5% of all building budgets to the purchase of works of art for public display in the new buildings. An art selection committee headed by Mrs. J.D. Eaton was responsible for selection of works. The committee, formalized as the Art Advisory Committee in 1963, enjoyed a close relationship with the Faculty of Fine Arts. In 1968 Michael Greenwood was hired as Curator of the university collection. He remained in that position until 1984 when he was succeeded by Loretta Yarlow. Plans were made in the early 1970s to establish an art gallery at the university and it opened in the 1972/73 academic year. At the same time the University Art Committee was established as a successor to the Advisory Committee. In 1981 renovations doubled the size of the gallery. The gallery serves both an educational and exhibit purpose to the university and wider community. Its exhibitions (both curated and travelling) have included shows of works by Norval Morriseau, Claude Breeze, Ted Godwin, George Grosz, Max Ernst, contemporary American art, African art, German Expressionism, photography, sculpture and installation art. Its permanent collection includes Canadian, European and non-Western art, and is displayed throughout the university campus.

2019/06/11 J. Grant. Creation.