Minister Rodriguez receives update on construction of Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art Centre
News release
February 15, 2019 – Winnipeg
Today, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, toured the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) and viewed the progress on the construction of the Inuit Art Centre. The $65 million project is receiving $15 million from the federal government, the largest ever investment in Manitoba under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF). The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund is supporting cultural infrastructure projects across the country through the Government of Canada’s $180+ billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
On May 25, 2018, the WAG officially broke ground on the new 40,000-square foot, four-storey building. Expected to open in time for Manitoba’s 150th in 2020, the new four-storey building will include new exhibition spaces, a glass-enclosed visible art vault, a conservation facility, art studios, a two-level interactive presentation theatre and classrooms. The new centre will also feature hands-on programming for students, a virtual reality experience and a new café.
Quotes
“We transmit our culture and our history through art, language and traditions. The Inuit Art Centre will be a living and vibrant space that will celebrate Canada’s Inuit people and teach others about the wonders of the North. I am proud that our government is investing in this significant project. Through this support, we are delivering on our commitment to make historic investments in infrastructure.”
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
“The Winnipeg Art Gallery is pleased to welcome Minister Rodriguez on his first-ever visit to our facility and to offer him a glimpse into the historic work being done to celebrate and share Inuit art and stories with Canada and the world. The generous support of the federal government confirms the national importance of the Inuit Art Centre’s mission and the enduring power and beauty of Inuit art and culture in today’s society.”
—Dr. Stephen Borys, Director and CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery
Quick facts
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Designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture with Manitoba’s Cibinel Architecture Ltd, the new 40,000-square-foot, four-storey Inuit Art Centre will be connected to the main building by bridges on all levels.
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The WAG, established in 1912, is Canada’s oldest civic gallery and holds the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world.
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With over 13,000 carvings, drawings, prints, textiles and new media, this collection is supported by exhibitions, publications and research.
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In partnership with Inuit, the Centre will be the largest single gallery space in the world devoted to Inuit art, culture, and history.
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The Investing in Canada plan is providing more than $180 billion in infrastructure investments across the country over 12 years.
Associated links
Contacts
Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca