Vancouver Art Gallery to receive historic cash gift for new home

The new design of the Vancouver Art Gallery will also be unveiled during the media event.

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The largest cash donation to a public art gallery in Canadian history is due to be announced Thursday at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

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A media advisory released Wednesday says Michael Audain, businessman and artistic philanthropist, and Anthony Kiendl, CEO and director of VAG, will be present at the announcement.

Also in attendance are Melanie Mark, Provincial Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart.

“An announcement will reveal details of the largest cash donation to an art gallery in Canadian history to support the construction of the new Vancouver Art Gallery,” the statement said.

Additionally, images of the Vancouver Art Gallery’s new design will be shown during the media event.

Earlier this year, Audain told Postmedia he was confident about the future of the new VAG.

“I am very satisfied with the new manager and am ready to help in any way I can,” he said.

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In 2008, the province of British Columbia announced it was providing $ 50 million for a new gallery. Since then, the City of Vancouver has created a site bounded by Dunsmuir, Beatty, West Georgia and Cambie known as Larwill Park. The VAG chose a building designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron.

In October 2020, Kiendl told Postmedia that building a new gallery was one of the reasons he was hired.

“Vancouver certainly not only deserves but demands a major center for the visual arts that reflects its position in the visual arts world internationally,” he said.

kevingriffin@postmedia.com