WAG Artwork Donations
Please note that the Woodstock Art Gallery is no longer accepting donations for 2024.
The Woodstock Art Gallery's collection has grown through generous gifts of works of art and the financial support of individuals, organizations, and various levels of government.
Artwork Donations at the Woodstock Art Gallery
Collecting Priorities
The Gallery has the following collecting priorities:
- Collect high quality works of art within a regional context and with relevance to the artistic history of the region.
- Collect contemporary and historic works of art by outstanding regional artists.
- Collect contemporary and historic works of art by Canadian artists of national stature.
- Collect art and artefacts relating to Woodstock artist Florence Carlyle.
- Collect prints by outstanding regional, national and international artists.
Additional Guidelines
The Collections Committee also considers the following when making recommendations and determinations:
- Aesthetic quality and importance.
- Relevance to the collection(s).
- Condition (cost of restoration).
- Price (costs of restoration and conservation are considered in addition to the purchase price of any work of art).
- Legal title.
- Attribution (provenance and dating shall be researched and verified before approval at any level).
- Exhibition right and copyright ownership must be accessible and obtainable.
- The Gallery shall not accept works of art that have conditions attached (with the exception of requested credit lines)
How to Donate
To donate, please contact our Head of Collections and provide the following information:
- Description of the work(s) with the artist, date, dimensions, and medium if possible.
- Images of the work(s).
- Provenance of the work(s) — when, how, and from whom you acquired these works.
- Whether you are looking at a Charitable or Canadian Cultural Property Donation.
- Whether you are able to assist with associated costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Who is the Collections Committee? |
| The Collections Committee is made up of members of the Gallery's Board of Directors, regional arts professionals, artists, and knowledgeable volunteers from the region. The committee formally reviews all works that are recommended and meets at least four times a year to decide if the offered works should be acquired or not. |
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What is the acquisition process? |
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The Gallery's Director/Curator and Head of Collections review information about possible donations. For works that meet the Gallery’s collecting priorities, Gallery staff will present the potential donation to the Collections Committee which votes on whether the artwork should be accessioned into the collection. The Collections Committee meets four times a year to review potential donations. For works accepted for presentation to the Committee, staff will compile a formal justification for the acquisition which includes a biography of the artist, how the work connects to the existing WAG collection, regional significance, a condition report, and a collections/storage requirement report. The eventual costs to the Gallery will be explored through copyright, exhibition rights, and other associated rights and fees. The artwork will be brought into the Gallery temporarily for a condition report and for formal presentation to the Collections Committee. If it is determined by the Committee that the artwork be accessioned, donors will be asked to sign a Deed of Gift form, transferring ownership of the artwork to the Gallery. If the work is not accepted, arrangements will be made to return the piece to the donor, at the donor’s expense. Artworks are then appraised, and a tax receipt is issued to the donor. For qualified donations, an application will be made to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board (CCPERB). |
| Can I get a Charitable Tax Receipt? |
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If the artwork is accepted by the Collections Committee and ownership is transferred to the Gallery with a Deed of Gift, The City of Woodstock will issue a Charitable Tax Receipt with the following conditions:
Charitable Tax receipts will also be issued for any donations made to offset the costs incurred by the Gallery in association with your gifts. If the artwork is certified by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, a Charitable Tax Receipt will be issued for 100% of the artwork cost. The Gallery cannot guarantee that a work of art will be certified by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board. |
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What are associated costs? |
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There are many costs associated with a donation. Short-term costs can include shipping, appraisals, conservation treatments, and exhibition fees. Long-term fees can include insurance and storage costs. In many cases, a donation can cost as much, if not more, than a purchase. Because of the associated costs, the Gallery asks all potential donors to cover associated costs such as shipping and appraisals. If a work is not accepted, the Gallery asks owners to pay for any shipping costs to return art work(s). |
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How long will the process take? |
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The entire process is likely to take several months and we cannot provide a distinct timeline. |
