Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1959-1968 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
27 cm of textual records and graphic material
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Paul Bennett was hired as the AIO’s first Field Director / Adviser in 1959, and remained in this capacity until 1964. He then became Director, serving until 1968.
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Art Institute of Ontario (AIO) was incorporated in 1951 to circulate art exhibitions, lecturers, and instructional programmes to venues in smaller communities. The idea of an art institute had been discussed informally as early as 1948, and the Art Gallery of Toronto had organized circulating exhibitions. The AIO was formed when a grant from the Ontario Department of Education made it possible to sponsor a travelling exhibition throughout the province. Later grants from the Atkinson Foundation, the Canada Council, and the Province of Ontario Council for the Arts supported AIO’s operations. The AIO was an alliance of several Ontario visual arts institutions and organizations. Its founding members were the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Toronto (now Art Gallery of Ontario), Hart House (University of Toronto), London Public Library & Art Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Ontario Association of Architects, Ontario Society of Artists, Royal Ontario Museum, Willistead Library and Art Gallery (Windsor) and the Windsor Art Association. The AIO maintained close ties with the Art Gallery of Ontario throughout its existence. It was absorbed into the extension programme of the AGO in 1968.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Records were donated to the Art Gallery of Ontario by Paul Bennett ca. 1991.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Fonds consists of Art Institute of Ontario records accumulated by Paul Bennett, in the course of his duties as Field Director / Adviser and later Director of the Art Institute of Ontario. Fonds includes Adviser’s service reports, minutes of annual meetings, director’s reports, funding briefs, and two scrapbooks documenting the activities of the AIO. Fonds is comprised of the following series: 1. Adviser’s service reports 2. Minutes, director’s reports and funding briefs 3. Scrapbooks
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Access to Special Collections is by appointment only. Please contact the reference desk for more information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Material in this fonds is in the public domain. Permission of the Art Gallery of Ontario is required for publication.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A box-file list is available.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Activities of the Art Institute of Ontario are documented in the archives of the Art Gallery of Ontario, particularly in the records of the Education and Extension departments.
Notes area
Note
Publications received with this fonds have been added to the collection of the E.P. Taylor Research Library & Archives. A list of these titles is available on request.