A view of the Vancouver Art Gallery / photo courtesy the VAG
At its annual general meeting this month, the Vancouver Art Gallery reported results for the 2011–2012 fiscal year, with revenue exceeding expenses by $336,954.
The additional funds will be used to offset the gallery’s operating deficit of $886,080 from the previous fiscal year.
In an email, gallery director of marketing and communications Dana Sullivant said the biggest factors in the VAG’s financial success in 2011–2012 were “1) a much stronger summer in terms of tourism and 2) the gallery’s ability to meet and exceed its fundraising goals (corporate, foundation and individual support).”
On the latter point, the latest annual report indicates that the gallery added four donors to its “$150,000 or more” category in 2011–2012, including David Aisenstat (president and CEO of the Keg), the Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts and Scotiabank.
Aisenstat was also listed in a “visionary partners” category above the “$150,000 or more” designation, along with the Michael O’Brian Family Foundation.
The 2011–2012 fiscal year at the gallery featured exhibitions such as “Shore, Forest and Beyond: Art from the Audain Collection,” “Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture” and “Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore.” All exhibitions in 2011–2012 were organized or co-organized by the gallery.
Admissions revenue for 2011–2012 was $1,695,774, up from $1,574,160 in 2010–2011. Attendance was 432,306.
“This marks a return by this 81-year-old organization to our longstanding track record of financial stability,” gallery director Kathleen Bartels said in a release. She added, “The gallery witnessed a remarkable year.”
