The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg is remaking the home of Canadian art. The project will transform and expand the McMichael facility, making it a sustainable premier cultural centre and a destination for the preservation and display of more than 8,000 works of art by Canadian and Indigenous artists. The renewed McMichael will also offer a more efficient and engaging platform for the gallery's landmark exhibitions and educational programs, serving the local community - and the country as a whole - as never before.
Celebrating Art Toronto, Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, spoke of the vibrant impact of the Canadian artists who influence and inspire audiences throughout the world. As the only museum in Canada devoted exclusively to Canadian and Indigenous art, the McMichael safeguards Canadian culture and identity at a time of global challenge. The Government of Canada is increasing its investment by $25 million in the expansion of this important museum, bringing the total federal investment to $50 million. This contribution matches the Government of Ontario's $50 million investment, reflecting a shared commitment to the renovation, expansion and modernization of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
The reimagined McMichael will offer more space for exhibitions, events, conservation and educational programs, many of which will benefit underserved communities in the Greater Toronto Area and York Region. Programs, landscape design, and nature-based learning will also integrate Indigenous knowledge and teachings. The renewal will dramatically expand the space for public events, talks, concerts and other performances, allowing more people to engage with Canadian art and artists across all disciplines. Expanded and modernized facilities will also open up 30 per cent more space for permanent collection displays and special exhibitions, while increasing the McMichael's capacity to handle and conserve works of art. Finally, the McMichael's dynamic touring exhibition program will be fortified by new and enhanced back-of-house facilities for efficient packing and crating, strengthening the museum's ability to deliver great exhibitions to Canadians from coast to coast.
Accessibility will be integrated into the design of the revitalized facility, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can find inspiration in Canada's most beloved works of art. Upon completion, the modernized McMichael will also meet net-zero standards and will feature sustainable, Indigenous plantings sensitive to the realities of climate change.
Built in the 1950s and last upgraded in the 1980s, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection facilities have reached the end of their lifespan. As the only major museum to exclusively collect and exhibit Canadian art, it is a critical platform for the appreciation and dissemination of Canadian visual culture. The gallery is now closed for renewal and is expected to reopen in 2029.
