Image credit: Canva Free Image

Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries Professional Development Workshop – Digging into Data: Getting Started Without Getting Overwhelmed

Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 10am – 4pm
Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
Register Here

This hands-on, participatory full-day workshop led by CEO and Creative Director of Surface Impression, Peter Pavement, will show you how to gain skills and confidence in understanding data.

The cultural sector is facing increasing pressure to leverage data in decision-making, grant reporting, and community engagement, but many small to mid-sized organizations lack confidence or capacity. This workshop addresses that gap, with hands-on activities showcasing free data tools and familiar examples. Participants will tackle sample data, learn to find meaningful data insights, and craft compelling data stories that can help their organizations fulfill their missions. The first iteration, also led by Peter Pavement, ran at American Alliance of Museums 2025 and received positive feedback from a highly engaged and collaborative cohort.

This workshop will empower professionals to access and analyze data within their galleries, enabling more robust, data-supported institutional decision-making. Learn how to take control of data outside of a collections management software environment. What once necessitated computer science expertise is now widely available and easy to learn, thanks to the implementation of user-friendly tools. Ultimately, this program is designed to prepare art gallery and art museum professionals with essential tools, equipping them for the exponential growth of data utilization in their sector.

Presenter

Peter Pavement, CEO and Creative Director, Surface Impression
Peter brings over 30 years of experience in the cultural sector. With a PhD in Museum Studies and a career spanning design, publishing, and exhibition curation, he has led digital projects for top organizations like the British Museum, Arts Council England, and the Royal Collections Trust. Now based in Toronto, Peter continues to grow Surface Impression’s international reach, driving innovation in user experience, accessibility, and digital engagement for GLAM organizations.

Registration

• Non-Member/General, $300.00
• GOG Member, $200.00
• Artists/Independent Art worker, $55.00
• Student with valid student ID, $45.00
• Indigenous artists and independent Indigenous art workers (pre-registration required), free

Register Here

Registration includes full-day attendance, a comprehensive workshop program for each participant to take away with them, and lunch.

Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries Professional Development Workshop – Digging into Data: Getting Started Without Getting Overwhelmed
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 10am – 4pm
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queen Street
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z3
Accessibility and Accommodations

For more information contact:
Faith Peter
Communications/Public Relations & Special Projects Assistant
Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries
E: communications@galeries-ontario-galleries.ca

Acknowledgments

GOG gratefully acknowledges the funding contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries has over a 50-year history as an arts service organization (ASO) and represents over 270 members—public art galleries, museums, artist-run-centres, and arts organizations. GOG is the voice of visual arts, speaking to all levels of government on advocacy issues, policy, and legislation. Additionally, we continually strive to deliver innovative and cutting-edge professional development and network-building opportunities that advance, empower, and strengthen the visual arts sector in Canada.

Follow GOG on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram

Contact Information:
Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries
E: communications@galeries-ontario-galleries.ca
T: (416) 598-0714