Is it possible to judge the Remai's success after one year?

A year has passed since the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan opened its doors to the public. The urge to take stock of its accomplishments and pronounce it a success or a failure is natural. But is it possible yet?

Few numbers have been made public, but those that have been released are impressive. According to figures obtained by the CBC the Remai has had 453,176 visitors, many more than the 190,000 predicted in a revised business plan (the original projected 270,000).

Memberships have also outstripped expectations, with 4,884 households buying one-year passes, more than tripling the targets for membership revenue. 

Remai Modern leadership should be applauded for these numbers, but not all credit is due to the board and management. Dozens of employees have gone the extra mile under enormous pressures to install complicated exhibitions, meet and greet the public and educate the city's children and youths. Saskatoon residents have also demonstrated an extraordinary willingness to help make this risky undertaking succeed.

But let's be clear – the first twelve months of all new art museums are a honeymoon period. The numbers we've seen so far are not necessarily predictive. 

Many people will have come simply to see the building. Other numbers the Remai released — "Items sold in the Art & Design store" (20,192) or "Patrons served at Shift restaurant" (44,365) — tell us nothing about profits or losses and even less about the Remai's fulfilment of its mandate. 

We won't know for a few more years whether the Remai's visitation numbers will level out. Without more details on its financials, we won't be able to assess its sustainability. 

The good news is that beyond such obvious measurables, there are other ways to evaluate the gallery, even if they require more effort, humility and nerve. 

I miss the days of the Mendel openings, which were packed and free of charge to all members of the public.- Jen Budney

Outcomes generated by cultural organizations are necessarily complex. They are often conflicting or contradictory and many of them are not measurable in a single year. Evaluating the Remai requires looking at multiple dimensions. 

A robust evaluation would look at transparency and accountability of operations, costs and efficiency, reliability and service standards, willingness to consult with the public, commitment to equity and to Reconciliation, ability to innovate, accessibility and quality of exhibitions and programming, number and quality of partnerships and co-productions, public trust in the organization, staff morale and confidence in leadership. 

It should also ask how the gallery is measuring up to its mandate and stated goals to be a "thought leader" and "direction-setting art museum" that enables "transformative experiences." How is it "defined by artists" and is it on its way to becoming "a leading centre for contemporary Indigenous art and discourse"? Has it begun "developing new models for sharing knowledge and engaging diverse audiences"? Is it "rethinking the role of the 21st century art museum"? 

What's the Remai's progress in these areas? Are they all still the goals the gallery ought to seek? 

As a member of the Remai Modern, I've been impressed by many of its offerings, from the weekend films to the Jimmie Durham exhibition. My kids went to a summer camp. It was expensive but they had fun. 

I'm thrilled that Rebecca Belmore's AGO exhibition has been announced for 2019. Given her national impact and her history in Saskatoon thanks to TRIBE Inc., the choice is both excellent and obvious.

I miss the days of the Mendel openings, which were packed and free of charge to all members of the public. They were community gatherings and, as one friend described it, "like church for artists," quite unlike the openings at the Remai. 

But all things change. What would be most welcome from the Remai Modern leadership on this anniversary would be a broader, articulated reflection on the promise of an organization like the Remai Modern in Saskatoon and what it can build in our community beyond a feeling of prestige.

This column is part of CBC's Opinion section. For more information about this section, please read this editor's blog and our FAQ.