Leader of the Art Gallery of Ontario will step down after a decade at the helm
During Stephan Jost’s tenure, the leading art museum in Toronto has launched construction of a new contemporary art gallery, added more than 18,000 pieces to its collection and navigated plenty of drama
Stephan Jost is set to resign as the director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) at the conclusion of this year. He took up his role in 2016, with a focus on attracting younger and more diverse visitors. Now, more than 60% of the gallery's patrons are under 39 years old and around 60% have non-European backgrounds, reflecting Toronto's rich diversity.
Jost reflected on his decade at the helm, noting that the gallery had achieved its goals ahead of schedule. With his departure, the AGO will be seeking new leadership. During his tenure, the collection has grown to over 18,000 works, including significant donations from Carol and Morton Rapp, Philip B. Lind, and the Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs.
A $100m building project is also underway, which will add 40,000 sq. ft of exhibition space, set to open in 2027. Despite challenges, such as disputes over acquisitions and a prolonged strike in 2024, Jost looks forward to a break before seeking a new leadership role elsewhere. Upon stepping down on December 31, the gallery will appoint an interim director and begin a global search for his successor.
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