The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) unveiled their design for the Inuit Art Centre today at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon today.

The 40,000-square-foot, $60-million dollar project will be a permanent display of the WAG’s Inuit art collection, which is the largest in the world.

WAG Director and CEO, Stephen Borys says the Inuit Art Centre will be much more than just an exhibit.

“It’s called a ‘centre’ because it involves education, exploration, economy, dialogue and reconciliation,” said Borys. “It’s about our connections to the north, the artic and to the Inuit.”

“It’s rethinking what is the template for a museum in the 21st century.”

Along with the vast collection of Inuit and indigenous art, the Inuit Art Centre will feature studios and classrooms for students and scholars and an interactive theatre to host lectures.

The new addition will overlook the corner of Memorial Boulevard and St. Mary Avenue on the south side of the WAG building.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Brian Bowman fulfilled a mayoral campaign promise by ensuring the city will put $5-million towards the project.

Bowman says Inuit and indigenous art are important factors in working towards reconciliation.

“What we saw with residential schools was people being dispossessed of their heritage,” said Bowman. “Part of the answer – and I will stress its only part of the answer – is embracing – by all Canadians, all Winnipeggers – the beautiful arts and creative sector we have coming from our growing indigenous community.”

“Not only is it part of reconciliation efforts,” Bowman added. “It’s a way we can see the economic value in our growing indigenous community and having a permanent showcase is one way we can say ‘we’re proud of our indigenous community and it’s something we think we have to offer to the rest of the world.’”

 

Bowman speaking at the WAG 

 

Borys said the $5-million from the city is added to the over $15-million they’ve already collected from the private sector in Winnipeg. The previous NDP government pledged $15-million towards the project and Borys says they need to confirm with the new Conservative government if that offer still stands.

They’re also seeking $15-million from the federal government as well.

Borys says having support from all levels of government is important, but he’s been blown away by the support of the private sector.

“We couldn’t have picked a better time to share this place with Winnipeg’s business community,” said Borys. “They will be the supporters of this project and many of them already are. But it’s amazing to share with them what is truly a Winnipeg, a Manitoban and a Canadian project and they understand it fits into a larger community.”

Too learn more visit http://inuit.wag.ca/.