(December 1, 2020, Vancouver, BC) – Actor, director, and writer Seth Rogen recently supported a Vancouver Art Gallery video post for the art museum’s fundraising campaign for #GivingTuesday. Rogen, a homegrown Vancouverite, indicated his support for the Gallery by posting on Twitter, “Hello! If you have the resources, make a #GivingTuesday donation to my hometown art gallery @vanartgallery. The Gallery needs our support more than ever. You too can say you support VAG, and who doesn’t want to support VAG? Thanks! https://bit.ly/3mtq5Xa”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a different kind of distancing to the Gallery. Since reopening in June, admissions revenue — important income that allows the Gallery to continue its operations—has kept its distance from the 89-year old art institution. The summer months are usually the busiest months for the Vancouver Art Gallery, but with the pandemic putting a stop to international tourism, attendance has been at only 20% compared to previous years. Without tours, event rentals, school groups, festivals and corporate gatherings — not to mention fewer local visitors — the Gallery faces its most challenging time in its history.
Despite the challenges that the pandemic has created, the Vancouver Art Gallery intends to persevere. It continues to practice strict anti-COVID measures—among them mandatory masks, timed ticketing, contact tracing and, of course, social distancing—so that visitors can enjoy immersive and unique visual art experiences in the safest way possible as prescribed by BC’s top health officials. Despite the six feet apart rule, the Gallery is committed to remaining a positive force in this community, encouraging creativity and bringing diverse people together through art, either on-site or through a wide array of virtual education programs.
A fundraising campaign has launched calling upon Vancouver and the rest of BC to offer immediate support to this iconic and beloved institution with a donation. Contributions will go towards supporting this community-based organization directly and ensure that children, students, families, seniors and all members of the general public across this city and province can continue to engage with inspiring art from here and around the world.
And another good news to share: Canfor Corporation, a long-time supporter of the Gallery, will match all gifts made on #GivingTuesday up to $25,000. Each contribution will not only double; it will make twice the impact.
Gifts can be made by mail, online at vanartgallery.bc.ca/donate or by calling 778-839-7623.
Photo credits:
Image Screenshot, Seth Rogen image, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Seth-Rogen
Tweet Screenshot, @SethRogen, https://twitter.com/sethrogen
