Burlington Art Gallery seeks $100K to study the future of its building

Once designed as a community centre, the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) has outgrown its space and is looking to transform its current building, or build a new one.

The City’s Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee heard a request from Art Gallery staff during a presentation Wednesday (Oct. 4) morning.

The committee approved the AGB’s request for $100,000 for a one-time cost and feasibility study. The City will report back to committee on Nov. 1, with funding options, pre-conditions and further recommendations.

Emma Sankey, executive director of the AGB, and Susan Busby, AGB board chairperson, spoke about the importance of the art gallery and the challenges it is facing in its current space at 1333 Lakeshore Rd.

Sankey said the art gallery will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.

“Now is the time for significant change," she told committee members. "As we ambitiously work toward our future aspirations, we recognize the need to modernize our facilities to better serve our current and future audiences, ensuring we become a relevant cultural destination for Burlington.”

Sankey noted that the facility is reaching the end of its lifespan, and recently secured $50,000 in capital funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to replace exterior doors and damaged windows.

“This does little to offset the capital expenditures due in the next five years, expected to be $2 million," she said. "Do we continue to invest our energies and finances into our existing facilities, or do we consider and explore other options such as renovation, expansion, or a new build?”

She explained that the location was built as a community centre. The AGB hosts six guilds with 500 members in the 45,000 sq.-ft. building, each with competing interests. Sankey said there is limited space and high demand, and a competition between educational programs and guild access.

“It is necessary to establish a new relationship model,” she said. “We struggle to gain significant access to effectively deliver our in-demand programs such as PA days, March break, and summer camps and that the camps sell out within days with extensive waiting lists."

She said something like a dedicated education centre would allow for  increased program delivery to young people.

Further, she noted that only 13 per cent of the building is dedicated to exhibition space.

“Although we hold the world's largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics, we have no dedicated gallery to permanently exhibit the work.”

Sankey noted that a study to evaluate next steps will cost approximately $250,000, and requested 40 per cent ($100,000) from the City.

Once the funding is secured, Sankey said, the AGB plans to issue a call for proposals with a deadline in January. Once a consultant is chosen, they hope to select a contract in late May or June. The project is expected to last 12 months, concluding with the 50th anniversary.