Hariri Pontarini Architects to Lead Historic Redevelopment of The McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Conceptual Rendering of McMichael exterior designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects
KLEINBURG, ON – The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, home to one of the world’s foremost collections of Canadian and Indigenous art, announces a transformative redevelopment led by the award-winning Toronto-based firm Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA).
This once-in-a-generation renewal, supported by major investments from the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and philanthropic partners, will remake the McMichael into a world-class museum for the 21st century—a beacon of accessibility, environmental sustainability and artistic excellence.
The revitalization marks the first major investment in the McMichael’s site in more than forty years. With commitments of up to $50 million from the Government of Ontario and currently $25 million from the Government of Canada through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, this ambitious project will ensure that the McMichael continues to inspire Canadians—and visitors from around the world—for generations to come.
Originally built in the 1950s as the private home of founders Robert and Signe McMichael, the site has grown into a nationally significant institution—welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors to experience the spirit and stories of Canada through the eyes of its greatest artists. Nestled in the Humber River Valley, the building’s modernist timber-and-stone architecture, with its low rooflines and integration into the landscape, has come to embody a deep sense of place and connection for many Canadians.
The new design, led by award-winning Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, will honour this legacy while expanding and modernizing the facility to meet the needs of diverse 21st-century audiences. The redevelopment will include:
- More space dedicated to exhibitions, education, conservation, and public programming;
- State-of-the-art classrooms and studios to nurture the next generation of Canadian artists;
- Purpose-built spaces for events, concerts, lectures, conferences and banqueting—including a new indoor theatre;
- Built to CAGBC Zero Carbon Design Standards, reinforcing the McMichael’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The resulting building will be a powerful reflection of our nation’s values: creativity, inclusion, sustainability, and deep respect for the land and its many stories.
Quotes
“The iconic McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a cornerstone of Ontario’s cultural identity, celebrating Canadian and Indigenous history and heritage through artistic expression. The Ontario government is proud to protect McMichael’s legacy and invest in projects that strengthen the province’s cultural sector. With this redevelopment, the McMichael will reach its potential as a world-class cultural institution and the beating heart of the Canadian and Indigenous art communities.”
– Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
“This project is more than a renovation— it’s about building a home worthy of the art, artists, and landscapes that define our nation. Hariri Pontarini Architects has developed a visionary design that honours the spirit of the original site while reimagining what a Canadian museum can be: open, inclusive, sustainable, and deeply connected to the land. We are immensely grateful to the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and our generous donors for recognizing the power of cultural spaces to shape our national identity and investing in a future that all Canadians can be proud of.”
– Andy Pringle, Chair, McMichael Board of Trustees
“Canada deserves a world-class museum that champions our past and present, showcases beloved artists in fresh new ways, draws out the deeper histories of Indigenous art and culture, elevates emerging talent, and brings attention to the many diverse voices that make up Canada today. This project—brilliantly envisioned by HPA—delivers on that promise: it honours the natural materials of the Canadian landscape, addresses the needs of 21st-century audiences, and creates spaces for discovery and delight for future generations. The McMichael is the place where it all comes together—a catalytic force that is changing the story of art in Canada.”
– Sarah Milroy, Frances and Tim Price Executive Director and Chief Curator
“We have fallen in love with the vision set before us by the McMichael, as home to the art of Canada. The big, sturdy roof automatically says ‘home,’ but it also says longhouse, or cabin in the woods. From the approach, the roof hugs the ground making it welcoming, intimate, warm and inviting. But as you enter, the experience explodes, engaging the extraordinary setting in a number of surprising moments with a rare and uniquely Canadian combination of nature and art.”
– Siamak Hariri, Founding Partner, Hariri Pontarini Architects
Quick Facts
- On April 8, 2025, the Province of Ontario announced up to $50 million in funding, contingent on matching support from the federal government and private donors.
- On March 3, 2025, the Government of Canada announced a $25 million investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program to support the McMichael’s redevelopment.
- The McMichael’s permanent collection includes more than 7,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, Indigenous artists, and artists from the many diasporic communities that make up Canada.
- In 1965, Robert and Signe McMichael offered to donate their collection – as well as their home and land – to the Province of Ontario. Eight months later, on July 8, 1966, the “McMichael Conservation Collection of Art” officially opened to the public.
- The Gallery is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, with ongoing support from the Ministry and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation.
About Hariri Pontarini Architects
Hariri Pontarini Architects is a leading Canadian architectural and urban design firm. Driven by design excellence, the 130-person practice is committed to building better cities through enduring buildings and inspired public spaces. Their portfolio covers a diverse range of cultural, academic, mixed-use, multi-unit and private residential, healthcare, and commercial projects.
Notable projects include the Bahá’í Temple of South America, the Tom Patterson Theatre at the Stratford Festival, and the Nicol Building for Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business. HPA is known for their dedication to building a sustainable future, creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring.
About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation. It is the only major museum in the country devoted exclusively to Canadian art. In addition to touring exhibitions, the McMichael houses a permanent collection of more than 7,000 works by historic and contemporary Canadian artists, including Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, Indigenous artists and artists from the many diasporic communities. The gallery is located on 100 acres of forested landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan. For more information, please visit mcmichael.com.
Ces informations sont aussi disponibles en français.
Media wishing to request interviews, media tours, obtain high-resolution images or review copies of publications are asked to contact Sadie Evans at sevans@mcmichael.com or 905.893.1121 ext. 2290.
Media Contacts
Sadie Evans
Assistant Manager, Social Media & Digital Content
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 x2290
sevans@mcmichael.com
Grace Johnstone
Director, Marketing, Communications and Sales
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 x2265
gjohnstone@mcmichael.com