Released on June 7, 2013
More Visitors, Art and Creativity Coming to the Heart of Saskatoon
Today, officials from all levels of government celebrated the start of construction of the much-anticipated Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. The gallery will be a vibrant community gathering place and will distinguish Saskatoon as an important international art destination. It will also be a key element at Saskatoon’s River Landing and important to the ongoing revitalization of south downtown.
“Our government’s investment in the Remai Art Gallery demonstrates our commitment to improving cultural infrastructure in Saskatchewan and throughout the country,” said Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification) and Member of Parliament for Blackstrap. “I am proud that our government is supporting this project that will create jobs and provide residents and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy various art collections and exhibitions in a superb new location.”
“The Remai Art Gallery will be a significant cultural landmark for Saskatoon and Saskatchewan and our government is proud to support it,” Saskatoon Sutherland MLA Paul Merriman said on behalf of Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter. “Through our Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, we recognize how vital infrastructure investment is to the quality of life in our communities, and special projects like this one showcase both the inspirations and the aspirations of Saskatchewan people.”
When complete, the Remai Gallery will have three times the area for exhibition space and twice the area for art education than the current gallery. In addition, it will have a café, gallery shop, and a 150-seat lecture theatre. It is anticipated that the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will be open to visitors in the spring of 2016.
“Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many community-minded people,” Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison said. “Yet it is just the beginning of what will be a landmark destination on the river in Saskatoon. One of the goals of our strategic plan is to improve the quality of life for everyone. The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will not only add to our quality of life but provide cultural opportunities we have never seen before.”
“This is an important moment for both the gallery and community,” Remai’s Board of Trustees President and Chair Jason Aebig said. “Thanks to the extraordinary contributions of our donors, volunteers and gallery staff, the vision of the new Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will be realized and Saskatoon will have a gallery that matches the creativity, ambition and energy of our growing city.”
The Federal government is contributing up to $13,020,000 for this project from the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component. The provincial government also committed more than $13 million plus an additional $3.7 milionfrom the provincial Building Communities Program. The City of Saskatoon contributed approximately $23.5 million and nearly $21 million was raised through private donations for a total project cost of more than $74.2 million Furthermore, the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation donated $30 million and an extensive collection of Picasso linocut prints unlike any other Picasso print collection worldwide.
To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Follow the City of Saskatoon on Twitter, Facebook, or on the City Blog, visit www.saskatoon.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Brayden Akers
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
Ottawa
Phone: 613-991-0700
Nicole Fellinger
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: nicole.fellinger@gov.sk.ca
Richard Brown
Office of the Mayor, City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-3202
Catherine Gryba
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-3207
Jason Aebig
Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-341-9260