Feds to contribute $15M to Winnipeg Art Gallery's Inuit Art Centre
City, province have already pledged combined $20M to house world's largest collection of Inuit art
The federal government on Tuesday promised a $15 million contribution to the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Inuit Art Centre, which will house and display the world's largest collection of Inuit art.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr made the announcement at the WAG, which is building the four-storey, 40,000-square-foot Inuit Art Centre south of its existing facility. The centre will house Inuit and Indigenous galleries, a vault, five studios and space for artist and curator residencies.
Carr touted the centre as an important cultural amenity for Nunavut and an important tourism draw for Winnipeg.
Construction could begin as early as 2017. The city has pledged $5 million toward the project, while the province's commitment is $15 million. The Pallister government, which has placed most funding commitments under review, did not send a representative to take part in the announcement, though Fort Richmond MLA Sarah Guillemard was present in the audience.
WAG director and CEO Stephen Borys said he will not read anything into the limited Pallister-government presence.
"I'm not really concerned. They have obligations. We're in almost daily dialogue with them on this project. They're well aware of it, and I expect a very positive outcome very soon," Borys said.
Carr called the WAG's collection of Inuit art the most important of its kind on the planet and said displaying it properly is a priority for the Trudeau government. He said he hopes other levels of government will appreciate that.
In a statement, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires said while she has met with the WAG, the province is still reviewing its commitments.
"Our department is undertaking the development of a comprehensive cultural strategy and policy framework which will create a plan in which culture and heritage remain a top priority for our new government," she said in the statement.
"Our government recognizes the importance of our province's diverse cultural offerings and we appreciate the WAG's understanding as we continue to engage on a value for money audit of commitments of taxpayer dollars."
- Manitoba announces $15M for Inuit Art Centre at Winnipeg Art Gallery
- WAG Inuit Art Centre project gets $5M boost from City of Winnipeg
The centre will provide display space for artwork and artifacts that have been in storage for decades, both at the WAG and in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. The formation of Nunavut in 1999 left the latter collection outside the territory that owns it.
