What We Do
Art Acquisition
Conservation of Art Collection
Educational Support
The Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham supports the Varley Art Gallery as a vibrant cultural hub in the GTA. Our mandate is to support the Varley Art Gallery through our activities and investments in their strong visual arts program. We support art acquisitions, conservation of the art collection, educational programming, exhibition research, and we oversee the volunteer program which further supports the Gallery’s programs and events.
Volunteering has been a great experience for me; whether it was for programs, camps, or events, there have always been opportunities to learn, improve, and network. As an educator and museum studies graduate, my time volunteering has been invaluable and the community at the Varley are incredibly supportive. The time I spent volunteering led me to finding work in education at the Varley. The experience I had volunteering allowed me to transition into a working role smoothly. As I continue to work and volunteer at the Varley my passion for the arts and culture grows.
"Through volunteering, I’ve been able to adapt easily to my job as a camp counselor at the Varley and develop my skills as someone working with kids and with art."
"As a Gallery Animateur, I quickly learned to adapt new strategies and skills to enhance my public speaking presentation skills. I led informal and formal tours, conducted research on Chinese Export Paintings, and speaking to the public really helped me to develop my professionalism in the work environment."
"...my three years of volunteering with the Varley Art Gallery was undoubtedly a memorable experience, which is why I knew that I wanted to play a more active role in delivering programs, marking my transition from Volunteer to Educational Program Assistant. Now, as an employee of the Varley Art Gallery, not only have I been provided with a greater opportunity for leadership, but working as a staff member has allowed me to draw on all that I have learned through my volunteering experience."
"I can easily say that volunteering with the Varley has been one of the most memorable and valuable experiences in my life. With giving back to the community comes a great deal of reward in the sense of seeing the expression on a child’s face when they have made something that they are proud of. Over the years, my position has allowed me to grow with confidence in my leadership, creativity, and teamwork skills and has challenged me to take on new responsibilities."
"My co-op experience during high school was so rewarding and gave me knowledge that I apply to my current position as Gallery Animateur with the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham. The Varley Art Gallery is a wonderful place to learn and grow!"
Please feel free to contact us by sending an email directly to fdauphinais@markham.ca.
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