Matthew Teitelbaum , BAHons / 79

Matthew Teitelbaum joined the Art Gallery of Ontario in 1993 as chief curator and was appointed director in 1998. During his tenure, the AGO’s permanent collection has grown and its research capabilities have been strengthened. Since 1993, the AGO has acquired over 50,000 works and has become the central repository of works by such contemporary artists as Betty Goodwin, Paterson Ewen, Kazuo Nakamura, Jack Chambers and Greg Curnoe, reinforcing the AGO’s position as a passionate advocate for Canadian art.

Teitelbaum holds an honours bachelor of arts in Canadian history from Carleton University, and a master of philosophy in modern European painting and sculpture from the Courtauld Institute of Art. He has taught at Harvard and the University of Western Ontario, and has lectured across North America. His past positions include: curator, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston; curator, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon; and curator, Contemporary Art, London Regional Art Gallery.

In November 2008 the AGO opened to the public following an innovative architectural expansion by the world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Teitelbaum’s vision is “to make the AGO the imaginative centre of our city and province, reflecting our diverse and dynamic setting. We will enhance our international profile as a leading cultural destination and innovative partner in the celebration of art, forging a new model for art museums.”

In 2006, Teitelbaum received the honour of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French government for his ongoing commitment and contributions to the arts. In 2008 he received the RCA medal from the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts for his outstanding contribution to the development of the visual arts in Canada. Teitelbaum also holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University.