AGO looks for $22M more to finish its revamp
26.06.2008 18:01
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
The Art Gallery of Ontario says it has met its capital campaign goal of $254 million and plans to increase its fundraising target by an additional $22 million. The AGO is five months from reopening with a renovation by celebrity architect Frank Gehry, originally estimated to cost $254 million. "We are absolutely within the range of the original budget for construction," said AGO chief executive Matthew Teitelbaum. The only cost overruns in construction are on the system of wooden beams, no two alike, that span the front of the building. About $1.8 million of additional money will cover the cost of constructing the beams, while the rest will cover new enhancements to exhibit space, he said. Among these enhancements: - Creation of the Milne Study Centre, which will exhibit sketchbooks, letters and drawings alongside paintings from the AGO's extensive collection of works by Canadian artist David Milne.
- Construction of a glass-fronted gallery on the concourse level for 500 Inuit sculptures in a vault-like setting, which will give visitors a behind-the-scene view of collection storage.
- Additional seating throughout gallery spaces.
- Locating the AGO members' lounge on the first-floor of The Grange, the period home that is on AGO property.
- Website enhancements, digital electronic signage, e-ticket sales and automated ticket kiosks.
"In addition to being an historic home, the Grange was an important social space," Teitelbaum said. "When Dickens came to Toronto, he went there. We were looking at ways to revitalize the Grange and make it more integrated into the rest of the gallery." He said the AGO is not changing the historic fabric of the building by putting a members lounge in it. The renovation was kickstarted by media magnate Ken Thomson, who gave $50 million for the construction, a $20-million endowment and an extensive collection of art, to the AGO. It also got a significant boost with a gift of $11.5 million from 23 Toronto region Italian-Canadian families. Among donors who gave more than $1 million in the past year are: Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksAGO to receive $10M from Toronto area Italian-CanadiansMore Art & Design HeadlinesVancouver show looks back at performance artist's dark humourAn exhibit of Rebecca Belmore's work at the Vancouver Art Gallery is the first large-scale survey for this Anishinabe artist.Ethiopian cultural officials nix nude photography exhibitAn exhibit billed as Ethiopia's first to feature nude photography has been scuttled by cultural officials, according to the photographer behind the images.AGO looks for $22M more to finish its revampThe Art Gallery of Ontario says it has met its capital campaign goal of $254 million and plans to increase its fundraising target by an additional $22 million.Toronto architect who studies water systems wins Prix de RomeThe Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture has been awarded to a Toronto architect who studies the relationship between water resources and urban growth.Architect to build shape-shifting skyscrapers in Dubai, MoscowAn ambitious architect has unveiled plans to build an 80-storey, revolving, shape-shifting skyscraper in both Dubai and in Moscow. More Arts HeadlinesFrost/Nixon to open London Film FestivalU.K.'s London Film Festival will open in October with Frost/Nixon, the film based on the acclaimed Peter Morgan stage play.Lesbian insults spur human rights complaint against comicA standup comic at the centre of a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal complaint says he's no bigot, after two audience members complained he unleashed a tirade of homophobic and sexist insults at them. Vancouver show looks back at performance artist's dark humourAn exhibit of Rebecca Belmore's work at the Vancouver Art Gallery is the first large-scale survey for this Anishinabe artist.AGO looks for $22M more to finish its revampThe Art Gallery of Ontario says it has met its capital campaign goal of $254 million and plans to increase its fundraising target by an additional $22 million.Tony Soprano's blood-stained ensembles net nearly $188K US at auctionTwenty-five outfits worn by James Gandolfini's alter ego raised $187,750 US at a New York auction on Wednesday for a charity that aids soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Arts FeaturesStraight but not narrowTen heterosexual stars who have become gay iconsRunning with the packYour handy guide to the Wolf Parade networkShe raaah!Women are doing it for themselves in the world of heavy metalBy George, he did itSeven reasons to miss comedian George CarlinGeorge Carlin: 1937-2008Remembering the trailblazing stand-up comic in picturesMore than wordsThe Calabash festival is a slice of literary paradisePeople who read this also read …
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