New initiative to digitize the nation’s visual culture and build a resource of Canada art
Partners in Art (PIA) – the volunteer-based, not-for-profit group of Toronto contemporary art supporters – announced today it has become a founding partner patron to the newly created Art Canada Institute (ACI).
Under the direction of founding executive director Sara Angel, the ACI will redefine, compile, digitize, and distribute Canadian art and its history for free, in both English and French. Until now it has been challenging to find accessible and authoritative information on the lives and works of most Canadian artists.
“We’re pleased to become one of ACI’s founding partner patrons and to be a part of this important groundbreaking advance in Canadian art history,” state PIA co-chairs Yvonne Fleck and Mimi Joh.
“PIA believes it is important to be an early patron and sponsor of this unique collaborative institute, which demonstrates both leadership and vision. Moreover, publishing a comprehensive study of Canadian art history that is accessible to all is a key goal that we share with ACI,” conclude Fleck and Joh.
In 2014, PIA will also support the ACI’s “Canadian Online Art Book Project,” a series of 50 free online art books. Viewers will be able to enjoy a Canadian art book either to be read online at the ACI website or to be downloaded and read as an e-book.
