All photos by David Barbour.
The Ottawa Art Gallery has recently received some spectacular surprises.
During the OAG’s Winter Exhibitions Opening Reception on February 18th, Glenn and Barbara McInnes announced a $100,000 gift for the OAG’s Art Now-L’art ici Capital Campaign.
The money will help create The Glenn and Barbara McInnes Gallery. This gallery will be located on the third floor of the new building, which is set to open next year. Last fall, OAG founders Glenn McInnes and Mayo Graham unveiled a gift of $50,000 that would go toward a Founders Lobby. The Lobby is set to be an important space located on the new gallery’s mezzanine level, next to the Firestone Gallery. The lobby will feature the story of the OAG’s origins and will also honor those involved in its founding.
“Barbara and I have always shared a passion for contemporary art. This passion drove me to co-found the Ottawa Art Gallery 25 years ago, so we could always showcase local artists,” McInnes said at the event. “It gives us great pleasure to make a $100,000 gift and name a gallery which will feature historical and contemporary art through exhibitions, installations and artists’ projects.”
On the same night it was announced that, along with the McInnes gift, the OAG was awarded with $50,000 from the RBC Emerging Artists Project. The gift is to support the gallery’s ongoing commitment to fostering a new generation of Indigenous artists and curators.
RBC is a long-time supporter of the OAG, beginning with the exhibition Decolonize Me in 2011. Decolonize Me was the longest and most successful national touring exhibition in the OAG’s history, and was seen by over $25,000 visitors as it travelled to eight venues across Canada.
In 2014, the RBC Foundation donated $7.4 million to arts and cultural organizations, helping to support local, national and international initiatives. The RBC Emerging Artists Project helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established. It also supports organizations that provide opportunities for artists to advance their careers.
“RBC is proud to renew our commitment to the OAG and their Emerging Curator Program through the RBC Emerging Artist Project. The hard work, perseverance and vision of the next generation of artists inspire us to continue to help them realize their Someday,” said Tina Sarellas, Regional President, Ontario North & East, RBC.
The new OAG is slated to open in 2017 at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge. You can find out more about OAG Expansion and Art Now-L’art ici Capital Campaign here.
