Art Gallery of Alberta
Encyclopedia
The Art Gallery of Alberta (formerly the Edmonton Art Gallery) is a public art gallery
located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta
, Canada
. Its collection of well over 6,000 works of art includes historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures, installation works and photographs by Canadian and international artists. In addition to its permanent collection, the AGA hosts visiting exhibitions and offers public education programs.
The vision statement of the AGA is: "The Art Gallery of Alberta creates a welcoming and engaging environment where people are motivated to transform their understanding of the world by connecting with the visual arts."
Originally designed in 1968 as a Brutalist building by Don Bittorf, the gallery recently underwent an $88 million renovation designed by Randall Stout Architects. It reopened in January, 2010. The newly renovated 85000 square feet (7,896.8 m²) space includes almost double the exhibition space of the original building; a restaurant, gallery shop, and 150 seat theatre; and dedicated gallery space for the AGA's permanent collection.
Following the renovation annual memberships of AGA increased significantly and there were 30,000 visitors within the first six weeks of reopening.
. The museum later found its home in four different locations, including the Palm Room, the old Edmonton Public Library
, the fourth floor of the Civic Block and the Edmonton Motors building before settling into historic Secord House in 1952. It was after this time that the museum re-titled itself “The Edmonton Art Gallery” in 1956.
Soon, even Secord House was too small for the gallery’s ever-expanding collection. In 1961, the Museum set out to build a new facility for itself. The City of Edmonton donated 0.59 acres (2,387.6 m²) at #2 Sir Winston Churchill Square for the site of the new gallery and in 1969, the new building was opened as the “Arthur Blow Condell Memorial Building”, colloquially titled “The Bittorf Building” after architect Don Bittorf.
The acquisition of this new building meant that the gallery could now invite in larger exhibitions with higher exhibition standards. However, by the early 1990s, the building was considered outdated in design, and the gallery required a new facility. In 2005, and architectural competition was held, and a design by Los Angeles architect Randall Stout
was chosen as the winning design for the new Art Gallery. At this time, the gallery re-titled itself again as the Art Gallery of Alberta. In April 2007, most of the Bittorf building was demolished with significant portions of the existing structure incorporated into Stout's design. Local architects and engineering firms assisted Randall Stout's design team from LA and San Francisco. The local firms were HIP Architects (Architects), Stantec (Mechanical and Electrical), BPTEC (Structural) and RJC (Envelope). Ledcor provided the Construction Management.
, Canadian Heritage Information Network
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Its collection of well over 6,000 works of art includes historical and contemporary paintings, sculptures, installation works and photographs by Canadian and international artists. In addition to its permanent collection, the AGA hosts visiting exhibitions and offers public education programs.
The vision statement of the AGA is: "The Art Gallery of Alberta creates a welcoming and engaging environment where people are motivated to transform their understanding of the world by connecting with the visual arts."
Originally designed in 1968 as a Brutalist building by Don Bittorf, the gallery recently underwent an $88 million renovation designed by Randall Stout Architects. It reopened in January, 2010. The newly renovated 85000 square feet (7,896.8 m²) space includes almost double the exhibition space of the original building; a restaurant, gallery shop, and 150 seat theatre; and dedicated gallery space for the AGA's permanent collection.
Following the renovation annual memberships of AGA increased significantly and there were 30,000 visitors within the first six weeks of reopening.
History
The Art Gallery of Alberta was founded in 1924 under the name “The Edmonton Museum of Arts”. Its first exhibition was held that year in the Palm Room of the Hotel MacdonaldHotel Macdonald
The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is a hotel built in 1912 in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway...
. The museum later found its home in four different locations, including the Palm Room, the old Edmonton Public Library
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library is a publicly funded library in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, available for use by any member of the public. Children are eligible for free library cards, while adults pay an annual fee . University of Alberta students can receive free access using the L-Pass...
, the fourth floor of the Civic Block and the Edmonton Motors building before settling into historic Secord House in 1952. It was after this time that the museum re-titled itself “The Edmonton Art Gallery” in 1956.
Soon, even Secord House was too small for the gallery’s ever-expanding collection. In 1961, the Museum set out to build a new facility for itself. The City of Edmonton donated 0.59 acres (2,387.6 m²) at #2 Sir Winston Churchill Square for the site of the new gallery and in 1969, the new building was opened as the “Arthur Blow Condell Memorial Building”, colloquially titled “The Bittorf Building” after architect Don Bittorf.
The acquisition of this new building meant that the gallery could now invite in larger exhibitions with higher exhibition standards. However, by the early 1990s, the building was considered outdated in design, and the gallery required a new facility. In 2005, and architectural competition was held, and a design by Los Angeles architect Randall Stout
Randall Stout
-Early life and education:Born and raised in Tennessee, Stout has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Architecture from Rice University.-Career:...
was chosen as the winning design for the new Art Gallery. At this time, the gallery re-titled itself again as the Art Gallery of Alberta. In April 2007, most of the Bittorf building was demolished with significant portions of the existing structure incorporated into Stout's design. Local architects and engineering firms assisted Randall Stout's design team from LA and San Francisco. The local firms were HIP Architects (Architects), Stantec (Mechanical and Electrical), BPTEC (Structural) and RJC (Envelope). Ledcor provided the Construction Management.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: Canadian Museums AssociationCanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, Canadian Heritage Information Network
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.