Vancouver is one of the most vibrant, progressive cities in the world and I believe the Vancouver Art Gallery has a responsibility to reflect this wealth of creativity and dynamic energy. The Gallery stands in the centre of a city recognized as a nurturing ground for artistic talent. Through cutting-edge exhibitions, we feature the work of leaders in the field of contemporary art and Vancouver's internationally renowned artists, including Jeff Wall, Ian Wallace, Stan Douglas, Rodney Graham, Roy Arden and Brian Jungen, serving as a portal for their remarkable achievements while furthering British Columbia's artistic legacy. The Gallery also houses the magnificent works of significant historical artists, including the most extensive collection of the work of Canada's beloved Emily Carr. Our permanent holdings number nearly 10,000 artworks, making the Gallery among the most valuable collections in Canada. The Vancouver Art Gallery's 2009 exhibition schedule is one of the most ambitious in the institution's history. This year the Gallery will open its doors to solo exhibitions by internationally renowned contemporary artists from Canada and around the world, including Stan Douglas, Andreas Gursky, Anthony Hernandez, Kerry James Marshall, Scott McFarland and Fiona Tan. The Gallery is also extremely proud to be the only international presenter of Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum — a landmark exhibition of 17th century Dutch masterworks organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.