Dawn Owen is Curator of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Guelph (AGG). She oversees the AGG’s in-house and touring exhibition and publishing programs, authors scholarly essays and delivers public lectures, writes operating, capital, and special project grants, and manages and develops the permanent collections, including art acquisitions (purchases and donations). Recently, she oversaw the transition of the gallery’s name from Macdonald Stewart Art Centre (1978–2014) to Art Gallery of Guelph (effective Dec 2014), directed the rebranding of the gallery, and led a major construction project at the main entrance to the building, including the restoration of the 100-year-old columned front porch and the reconstruction of a barrier-free, fully accessible ramp. Owen holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, specializing in studio art, from the University of Guelph and a Master of Fine Art degree from York University. She is also an editor and publication manager in visual arts publishing. Owen has worked in the public art gallery sector since 1998.