To bring in younger audiences, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) partnered with Guerilla Magazine for the publication’s launch. The event, Artsparks featured live performances, silk-screening and guided tours March 25.

“It’s a group that’s reluctant to go on their own,” said David Monkhouse, the education co-ordinator of the NGC who has been organizing Artsparks since 2006. He said by designing events that are linked but not limited to the exhibitions it makes the gallery more inviting to 20- to 40-year-olds.

With fewer visitors, less revenue and an uncertain federal budget the gallery is cutting 27 positions, many of which are in the education department that Artsparks falls under.

Tony Martins, editor and creative director of Guerrilla, said as a population begins to age, the gallery needs more visitors from a younger demographic.

 “Just like the gallery needs us, we need them,” Martins said.

He said this relationship works both ways because it helps the magazine take its event to a new level and bring “youthful, motivated, cultural consumers” to the gallery from its readership.

Events are based on the current exhibition but have changed to appeal to audiences through collaborations and workshops, Martins said.

 “They evolved based on the scenes they are related to,” he said.

Artsparks has partnered with Spins and Needles, which combines crafting with live DJs and, most recently, with Guerilla to attract the organizations’ clientele.

Megan Jerome, a jazz pianist who performed at Artsparks said the event is inspiring.

“You have no idea what kind of impact it has on [the young audiences],” said Jerome, a graduate from Carleton’s music program.

Events such as these are not only important for educating youth about art but also engaging them in the gallery setting that is often intimidating, she added.

“If we feel like we know something, we don’t feel stupid, we feel a lot less defensive.” Jerome said. “We feel more like we belong.”

But now the gallery will no longer offer guided tours.

Jerome recalled the first tour that inspired her.

A tour of the contemporary exhibit from a professional guide when she was in Grade 7 changed her life, she said, because instead of just looking at something, she could understand it and try to figure out what message an artist was trying to send with that piece.