Lisa Philipps, interim vice-president academic & provost, has issued the following message to the York University community:
Philip Monk. Photograph courtesy Art Gallery of York University
I am writing to inform members of the York community that Philip Monk will be retiring as Director/Curator of the Art Gallery of York University, effective December 31, 2017. Philip has provided outstanding leadership to the Art Gallery since 2003, significantly enhancing its profile within York and in the local and national arts communities with an award-winning program of exhibitions and publications. Under his guidance the Gallery has become a focal point for civic and educational engagement, and a catalyst for innovative projects with students, faculty and community.
We will be undertaking a search with the goal of appointing the next Director/Curator of the Art Gallery by July 1, 2018. Further details about the committee and search process will be provided in the near future.
I am pleased to announce that Ms. Emelie Chhangur will serve as Interim Director/Curator of the AGYU from January 1 to June 30, 2018. Emelie joined the AGYU in 2003, and since 2008 has served as Assistant Director/Curator of the gallery. During this period Emelie has played a major role in developing the profile of the AGYU, including in 2005 the founding of an artist-residence program. She is known for her process-based, participatory curatorial practice and the creation of long-term collaborative projects performatively staged within and outside the gallery context, including leading York University’s participation in the opening of the cultural program of the Parapan American Games in 2015 with Ring of Fire. Emelie has authored a number of books, and regularly presents papers at international conferences, as well as contributing to talks, lectures, and symposia here at York and in the local and international art community. She is the recipient of over 20 Ontario Association of Art Galleries Awards (OAAG). Her trans-disciplinary research has been funded by grants from SSHRC, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ontario Arts Council and has resulted in collaborations between professional visual artists and York students from across a diverse range of Faculties and departments at York. She obtained her Master’s degree in Visual Studies from University of Toronto where she wrote her thesis on the intersection of curating and dramaturgy.
I want to thank Philip Monk and to wish him all the best as he leaves York; and I look forward to working with Emelie in this new capacity to continue to advance the Art Gallery of York University.