Toronto, Ontario, September 27, 2011 — The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) hosted a media preview today to celebrate the opening of the Weston Family Learning Centre.
The Weston Family Learning Centre is a 35,000 square foot facility within the AGO that offers innovative art education programming to children, families, teachers, students and adults of all ages, both onsite and online. The facility offers three seminar rooms, a community gallery, a hands-on centre for young children and parents, an educations commons to welcome school groups and host events, a youth centre for young adults, 6,000 square feet of studio space, an artist-in-residence studio, a new entrance on Dundas Street West at Beverley, and a staircase leading directly to the AGO’s European galleries.
“The Government of Canada’s investment in the Art Gallery of Ontario and the new Weston Family Learning Centre demonstrates our commitment to improving cultural infrastructure across the country,” said Senator Linda Frum, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Weston Family Learning Centre will serve as a physical and virtual hub for people interested in learning more about art and connecting with the Art Gallery of Ontario. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to a project that promotes the exploration of art and the creative process.”
"The Art Gallery of Ontario is deeply grateful for the generous support of the Government of Canada," said Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO's Michael and Sonja Koerner director, and CEO. "Its investment underlines its commitment to cultural infrastructure and encourages civic engagement in the arts. We are most honoured to work with our federal partners on such an unparalleled initiative."
The Government of Canada is contributing one-half of eligible project expenses, up to a maximum of $7.5 million, through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Art Gallery of Ontario is contributing the balance of the total eligible project cost of $15 million.
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is supporting over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
For more information, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Antonietta Mirabelli
Deputy Director, Communications
Art Gallery of Ontario
416-979-6660, ext. 454
Caitlin Coull
Manager, Communications
Art Gallery of Ontario
4169797-6660, ext. 364
InfrastructureCanada
613-948-1148
or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
