Edmonton Art Gallery receives $15 million in provincial funding

A portion of Alberta's surplus is being added to the province's centennial investment to create a provincial showcase for art in the capital city. An Alberta government investment of $15 million into the Edmonton Art Gallery renewal will create the new Art Gallery of Alberta, recognizing the existing facility's growing role in highlighting art, culture and creativity in the province.

The investment is part of the government's plan for this year's surplus that includes saving, investing and giving back to Albertans. 

The exhibit space will be expanded to 80,000 square feet, and state-of-the-art climate controls and mechanical systems will better preserve the collections. Expected to be complete in 2009, the new building design will also create a dramatic piece of architecture in the capital city's downtown core.

The $15 million investment represents almost one-third of the total estimated construction cost of $48 million. Other partners include the City of Edmonton, the Government of Canada and private partners.
Through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the province provides the gallery with an annual operating grant of about $460,000, as well as a $75,000 contract to administer the Traveling Exhibit Program.

Learn more about how government is managing the surplus at http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/albertasurplus/.

More information:

• News release
• Art Gallery of Alberta