In 2008, the B.C. government provided a $50 million investment toward the new Vancouver Art Gallery building. Now, they are topping up that figure with a second $50 million instalment for a total of $100 million.
The project, which is planned for a new site on the southern two-thirds of the block bounded by Cambie, Dunsmuir, Beatty and West Georgia streets, is intended to support the expansion of "a cultural and tourism icon in B.C." according to an Oct. 14 announcement regarding the new funding commitment.
So far, the new gallery has received more than $190 million in private donations, including $100 million from the Audain Foundation in 2021 and $40 million from the Chan Foundation in 2019 which makes the total budget for its construction $290 million.
"The Vancouver Art Gallery is a flagship cultural institution in B.C., and we are proud to provide this additional investment to make this new building a reality," said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in the release.
The building has been in the planning stages for over 13 years but is set to be completed by 2026. It will be an 80,000 square feet multistory facility with a theatre, library, research centre, artist studios, a restaurant, and retail space plus child care inside.
The facade is a collaborative design effort between Coast Salish artists Debra Sparrow, Skwetsimeltxw Willard (Buddy) Joseph, Hereditary Chief Chepximiya Siyam' Janice George and Angela George, and Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, with Vancouver architects Perkins & Will. And there will also be an Indigenous community space and five dedicated classrooms for specialized programming and art instruction.
"The new gallery will be a social, artistic and commercial hub and will enrich tourism and cultural experiences in the region for residents and visitors alike," expands Beare. "I'm especially pleased with the collaborative partnership with four local Indigenous artists to design the building exterior. Once built, it is sure to draw global attention as the largest building to reflect Coast Salish culture in the world."
The new gallery will be the first Passive House art gallery in North America and mass timber will be featured as part of the construction to lower the building's carbon footprint making it the most environmentally sustainable art museum in Canada.
It is estimated that the construction of the building will generate 3,000 jobs and that once completed 1,000 permanent jobs in the tourism sector will be created.
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