19 November 2002 16:59
A Vision for the Future: Art Gallery of Ontario Announces $500 million Transformation
TORONTO, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has announced the details of a transformation project that
includes an unprecedented donation of art and funding by Kenneth Thomson, and a physical redesign and expansion led by
Frank Gehry. Groundbreaking is set for early 2005, and the project will be complete in 2007. "The greatest museums
transform themselves into imaginative centres that reflect and enhance the world that surrounds them. Our vision is for
the Art Gallery of Ontario to become such a place; a place that creates that moment when art and people meet, when
conversations happen about the special role that art plays in our lives," said AGO Director and CEO Matthew
Teitelbaum in describing his vision for the future at the announcement event in Toronto. Earlier this year, the
Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario committed financial support for the project. "The federal
government is supporting this major initiative by the AGO in recognition of the impact it will have in improving the
quality of life for our citizens. We applaud Mr. Thomson for his magnificent gift to the people of Canada and the
leadership of the AGO for creating and now enhancing an extraordinary home for art," said The Honourable David
Collenette, Federal Minister of Transport, who is also responsible for the Greater Toronto Area. "The Thomson
donation of funding and works of art is unparalleled in the history of Canadian philanthropy," said The Honourable
David H. Tsubouchi, Ontario Minister of Culture. "The current expansion plans to provide exhibit space for this
outstanding collection will further position the Art Gallery of Ontario as a dynamic, world-class art museum with
international presence and attraction." Famous Rubens among collection filled with masterpieces "The Art
Gallery of Ontario has always held a special place in my heart, and I am confident that it represents the best
opportunity to share my passion for art with the people of this city, Ontario, Canada, and the world," said Kenneth
Thomson, a leading art collector and businessman. Ken Thomson has made history with a donation that includes: - The
extraordinary Thomson Collection of nearly 2,000 works of art, the greatest in private hands in Canada. It includes
masterpieces by such renowned Canadian artists as Paul Kane, Tom Thomson, Cornelius Krieghoff, and Lawren Harris, and a
stunning collection of rare European art objects dating from the middle ages to the mid- nineteenth century that is
among the finest in the world. - The headline-making Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens, acquired by the
Thomsons earlier this year for $117 million, the highest price ever paid for an old master painting. - Two major
Canadian masterpieces acquired by Mr. Thomson in recent years: Lake Superior III by Lawren Harris, and Scene in the
Northwest by Paul Kane. - $50 million in capital funding for the museum's building expansion on Dundas Street West
in Toronto, plus an additional commitment of $20 million in endowment funding, thus helping to assure the AGO's
continued success in the future. First major Gehry project in Canada will be just steps from childhood home "The
Art Gallery of Ontario is where I first experienced art as a child and it was Grange Park where I played, so this
project means a great deal to me. The building we envision will connect the city and its people to great art and art
experiences," said world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who is now based in California, at the announcement event.
Mr. Gehry's team is already well underway in the process of analyzing the AGO's current space and its needs
for the future. In the months and years to come, the AGO will involve the community in Mr. Gehry's unique design
approach and the transformation of the museum through lectures, open houses and other special events. Renowned and
admired the world over, Mr. Gehry's other landmark projects include the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain and the
Vitra Design Museum in Weil-am-Rhein, Germany. In addition to the AGO, Mr. Gehry is currently building the Walt Disney
Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and designing the Museum of Biodiversity in Panama City. Formula for success The AGO's
transformation project is unique in its partnership approach. The acumen of Kenneth Thomson, creativity of Frank Gehry,
vision of Matthew Teitelbaum and leadership of the AGO's Board of Trustees are just the beginning. "We are
encouraged that the Thomsons and both the federal and provincial governments are taking an active role in transforming
the Art Gallery of Ontario for the future. This project is an example of how individuals, organizations and governments
can work together to implement a shared vision. I am hopeful that others will join us in this vision," said A.
Charles Baillie, President of the AGO Board. Combined with the Thomson funding donation, the AGO has already secured a
substantial portion of the building project cost, estimated at $178 million. Key partners in the project include the
Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through SuperBuild, which have each pledged
$24 million toward the AGO's expansion. The AGO is also grateful for the contribution of McKinsey & Company,
who provided strategic counsel in developing a blueprint for success. One of world's leading art museums continues
to grow "We will transform our building to welcome people with open arms, and to open them to new experiences while
guiding them through a great and inspiring building with ease. We intend to literally transform the AGO with the
addition of new galleries for art, new meeting places for our visitors, and improved and expanded amenities throughout
our building," said Matthew Teitelbaum. As part of the transformation project, the AGO will be enlarged by 75,000
square feet, an expansion that will increase the viewing space for art by more than 40 per cent. Economic highlights of
the project, based on economic impact studies by PricewaterhouseCoopers, include: - More than 2,000 person years of
projected construction work, including about 245 permanent jobs. - A one-time contribution to the Ontario economy of
about $100 million dollars, and a projected annual boost of close to $13 million in tourism and operations dollars. -
All levels of government will realize one-time taxes from construction of $54 million, and $3.8 million annually
thereafter. The AGO's collection comprises more than 36,000 works representing 1,000 years of European, Canadian,
modern, Inuit and contemporary art. This important collection, along with the Gallery's preeminence in art
education and expertise in the conservation of art, makes the AGO one of Canada's most significant public resources
for the advancement of the visual arts. Fact Sheet Transformation Highlights - Total estimated value of transformation
is $500 million - Unprecedented donation of art and funding by Kenneth Thomson, including: - Nearly 2,000 works of art
including Paul Kane, Tom Thomson, Cornelius Krieghoff and Lawren Harris, and a stunning collection of rare European art
objects dating from the middle ages to the mid-nineteenth century - Headline-making Massacre of the Innocents by Peter
Paul Rubens, acquired by the Thomsons for $117 million, highest price ever paid for an old master painting - Two major
Canadian masterpieces acquired by Mr. Thomson in recent years: Lake Superior III by Lawren Harris, and Scene in the
Northwest by Paul Kane - $70 million in capital and endowment funding for the project - Physical redesign and expansion
led by world renowned architect Frank Gehry - Governments of Ontario and Canada have each pledged $24 million toward the
expansion - Enlargement of the AGO by 75,000 square feet, an expansion that will increase the viewing space for art by
more than 40 per cent - Groundbreaking in early 2005, construction completed in 2007 Institutional Profile - Currently
tenth largest art museum in North America with 486,000 square foot facility - A series of groundbreaking international
exhibitions, including: - Voyage into Myth: French Painting from Gauguin to Matisse, from the Hermitage Museum, 2002 -
Treasures from the Hermitage Museum, Russia: Rubens and His Age, 2001 - Matisse from the Baltimore Museum of Art, 2000 -
The Courtauld Collection, 1998 - From C Dezanne to Matisse: Great French Paintings from The Barnes Foundation, 1994 -
Dutch Painting of the Golden Age from the Royal Picture Gallery, Mauritshuis, 1983 - Vincent van Gogh and the Birth of
Cloisonism, 1981 - Treasures of Tutankhamun, 1979 History - Founded in 1900 by a group of Toronto citizens - Acquired
land/building through a private bequest in 1911 - Entered into partnership with the Province of Ontario in 1966 and
acquired a provincial mandate ("Art Gallery of Ontario" Act) Milestones: - 1900 - Art Gallery of Toronto
founded - 1911 - Grange House (Art Gallery of Toronto permanent home) - 1921 - First expansion (Frank Darling) - 1925 -
Addition - 1933 - Addition - 1974 - Stage I expansion completed - Moore Centre (Parkin) - 1977 - Stage II expansion
completed - Canadian Historical Galleries, Gallery School (Parkin) - 1993 - Stage III expansion completed (Barton
Myers/KPMB) Collection - More than 36,000 works in the AGO's collection - Collection spans the 11th century to the
present - More than half the collection are works by Canadian artists, documenting the development of Canada's
heritage from pre-Confederation to present day - Also includes masterpieces of European art, African art and a wide
range of international contemporary art - AGO holds the world's largest public collection of works by
internationally renowned British sculptor Henry Moore - The AGO now has major holdings of the work of the pre-eminent
Canadian artists Paterson Ewen, Betty Goodwin, Greg Curnoe, David Blackwood, Kazuo Nakamura and the American artist,
Robert Motherwell Annual operating funds - $34.5 M in 2001/02 - 34.7% government funding (federal, provincial,
municipal) - 39.5% self-generated (admissions, retail, food & beverage) - 17.2% private sector support (memberships,
donations, sponsorships) - 8.6% amortization of deferred capital contribution Attendance - Total attendance in 2001/02:
568,000 - 50% of visitors are from outside the GTA - 30% of visitors are from outside Ontario - 42,000 visits through
school group programs - 21,000 visits through family/youth programs The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of
Culture. Additional operating support is received from the Volunteers of the AGO, the City of Toronto, the Department of
Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts.
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION: http://www.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/inquiry.cgi?OKEY=25715 /For further
information: A photo will be distributed later today. For additional images and information, please contact - Arlene
Madell, Director, Marketing and Communications AGO, (416) 979-6660 ext 490, Arlene_Madell(at)ago.net; Beverley Carret,
Manager, Communications and Government Relations AGO, (416) 979-6660 ext 477, Bev_Carret(at)ago.net; Carrie Shibinsky,
Senior Publicist AGO, (416) 979-6660 ext. 403, Carrie_Shibinsky(at)ago.net; Antonietta Mirabelli, Publicist AGO, (416)
979-6660 ext. 454, Antonietta_Mirabelli(at)ago.net/
[CAIW [Corporate Announcements Intelligence Wire]] |
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