FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2014, KLEINBURG ON – On Wednesday, April 23, the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca, announced that the Ontario government has awarded $500,000 in capital funding to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. The grant will be directed toward renovating the gallery’s historic on-site carriage house to create an accessible art studio and short-term accommodations for visiting artists.
The McMichael Artist-in-Residence Program, which allows practicing artists to live and work at the gallery and to interact with the collection and the public, is an important part of the gallery’s mission to engage with the arts community on a daily basis. The proposed renovated space will allow the McMichael to expand this program and to engage on-site artists with the year-round development and delivery of creative learning programs for learners of all ages and abilities.
“The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is thrilled and extremely grateful for this funding, which will allow the gallery to enhance its capacity to offer all visitors an exceptional experience,” said Upkar Arora, Chair of the McMichael Board of Trustees. “Visitors from all across Canada and around the world come to view great works of art and enjoy the 100 acres of forested grounds. Each year, tens of thousands of school children, adult learners, families, and visitors with special needs come to the McMichael for classes, studio programs, and community activities. By building upon the gallery’s unique location and distinctive assets—including the historic on-site carriage house—the McMichael will create more opportunities for diverse audiences to connect with art, artists, and art making.”
“The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has played a pivotal role in our province and our nation in educating, engaging, and enlightening our youth, newcomers and the next generation on our rich history and the legacy of Canadian art,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport & Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan / Parapan American Games. “The McMichael Collection is an important cultural institution that serves as a cornerstone for the Vaughan community and a driver for the local economy. Our government is pleased to support the McMichael so that it can continue to play this important role.”
The upgrades to the gallery’s existing facilities are part of a long-term vision to place creative learning at the centre of the McMichael experience and to reinforce the gallery’s position as the preeminent destination for experiencing and interacting with Canadian art and artists.
“I am very pleased that the Ontario government is providing financial support to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection,” said Steven Del Duca, MPP Vaughan. “The grant will help this tremendous organization upgrade its facilities so that it can better serve future visitors and make art more accessible. It demonstrates that our government is committed to supporting and celebrating arts and culture in communities like Vaughan.”
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 Sport, and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Canadian artists, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The gallery is located on 100 acres of northern landscape and hiking trails at 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in the City of Vaughan. For more information: mcmichael.com
The McMichael gratefully acknowledges the support of its media partners, The Globe and Mail and JAZZ.FM91.
For media inquiries:
Wendy Campbell
Manager, Media Relations and Online Presence
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 ext. 2201
wcampbell@mcmichael.com
Rachel Weiner
Media Relations and Communications Coordinator
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 ext. 2210
rweiner@mcmichael.com