Consultant to decide what's next for Art Gallery of Burlington

The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) is ready for an update - but whether it expands or constructs a new facility to replace the aging 44,000-square-foot building will be up to a consultant.

Burlington’s corporate services, strategy, risk and accountability committee approved a motion to provide $100,000 to go toward a facility master plan and future needs feasibility study to be conducted between March 2024 and March 2025.

The AGB had asked for the funds to help cover the $250,000 cost of the study. The city will cover 40 per cent of that, while matching funds are being sought from Canadian Heritage - Cultural Spaces Canada. The balance of the proposed funding ($50,000) will be obtained from other sources.

Councillor Shawna Stolte wanted confirmation that the City not transfer the funds to the AGB until it was clear the AGB received grant funds from Canadian Heritage for the study to begin.

The study is the first step in a multiyear process to transform the AGB. It will consider two scenarios: renovating the current space which may involve expanding AGB’s footprint or building a new building.

The AGB's current building opened in 1978 (as the Burlington Cultural Centre) and has undergone two expansions, one in 1991 and one in 2001.

The study will serve as a road map that will outline short-, medium- and long-term strategies to align with existing or future buildings with AGB’s evolving vision.

Council is set to approve the funding at its Nov. 14 meeting.