Art gallery wants to see more student visitors

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) is renewing its push to bring more students through its doors.

Representatives of the gallery outlined free gallery access, low-cost field trips and two education-friendly exhibitions during their presentation to the Brandon School Division board last week.

The visit was to raise awareness of the gallery’s Art Connects program and to extend an open invitation to schools across Brandon and Westman, artistic director Lucie Lederhendler told the Sun after the presentation.

“We always like to make sure we’ve renewed awareness of the AGSM with the school board,” Lederhendler said. “We want to be front of mind as far as great opportunities for students, and urgently right now because the two shows up in January are so good for school groups.”

One of those exhibitions, “The Boy in the Forest,” is currently on display in the Kayes Community Gallery. The show features illustrations from a children’s book written by Dustin Glaseman and interpreted by artists from across the region.

Lederhendler, who visited the school board with gallery service co-ordinator Aly Wowchuk, said the exhibit is particularly well-suited to younger students, encouraging imagination and creative storytelling.

“It’s a great chance for young children, especially to imagine different creatures based on the names Dustin Glaseman has invented,” she said.

She said the second exhibition, opening Jan. 22, is a major touring retrospective by Manitoba artist Leesa Streifler, organized by the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery, adding that the exhibition comes with a comprehensive 70-page bilingual education guide, making it easy for teachers to connect gallery visits to classroom curriculum.

“All of that work creating curricular connections and activities has already been done,” she said. “It’s designed to make it as easy as possible for students to come on a field trip.”

During the presentation, Wowchuk outlined AGSM’s long history and educational mandate. Founded in 1907, the gallery is the oldest artist-run gallery and education space in Manitoba and one of the oldest in Canada. The AGSM operates two rotating gallery spaces, both of which are always free to visit.

Wowchuk told the board the gallery has a year-round art school, which offers classes in ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and photography for children, teens and adults. Winter 2026 classes begin next week.

Central to the presentation was the Art Connects program, which provides guided educational tours paired with hands-on activities designed to reinforce exhibition themes. The programming is shared through the Brandon School Division portal and tailored to different age groups, including children as young as three.

In 2025, she said, more than 300 students from Brandon and across Westman participated in AGSM tours, including daycare groups and Brandon University students.

“The gallery hopes to grow that number in 2026. We want to make sure that all students have a chance to experience what we have to offer,” Wowchuk told trustees.

Cost was also addressed during the meeting.

Lederhendler said Art Connects field trips are priced at $3.75 per student, with subsidies available that often cover much of the cost. Teachers can also bring classes to the gallery at no charge.

“Because this work is so core to what we do, we charge as little as possible,” Lederhendler said. “It often doesn’t even cover the cost of the programs, but we think it’s worthwhile to keep prices really affordable.”

Trustees asked questions about accessibility, transportation and potential future renovations. Gallery staff noted the downtown location offers multiple access points, including Seventh Street access for school buses.

While it is too soon to know how many schools will book visits following the presentation, Lederhendler said the response from trustees was encouraging.

“I thought it was a very warm, receptive audience,” she said. “We know there are challenges with field trips these days, so we just want to make sure the invitation gets extended.”

More information, including education guides and program details, is available at agsm.ca. Lederhendler also encouraged parents and community members to advocate for gallery visits.

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