Big investments into one of Vaughan’s arts and culture gems

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has received two major funding commitments from the provincial and federal governments to support upgrades and modernization to the gallery.

On March 3, 2025, the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge announced a federal investment of $25 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

The federal funding announcement highlighted a commitment to supporting the renovation and expansion of the current McMichael gallery to meet net-zero carbon building standards. Further, the announcement also recognized the McMichael Canadian Art Collection as one of the largest and most important galleries for the preservation and display of Canadian and Indigenous art. One-third of McMichael’s collection is Indigenous and the federal government’s investment will support new opportunities to integrate, exhibit, and share Indigenous art and teaching.

Further details are available in the news release issued by the Government of Canada.

On April 8, 2025, the Ontario government announced that it is similarly investing up to $50 million over three years to update and expand the McMichael facility and grounds.

Ontario’s capital investment in the McMichael is the first in 43 years. It will support much-needed repairs and upgrades to the 70-year-old building, increasing the capacity for its existing programs, meetings and special events and ensuring it remains a safe and must-visit destination for arts and culture for years to come. The provincial announcement also highlighted the importance of making investments to preserve Canadian values and identity considering recent economic and political threats from the United States.

Further details can be found in the news release issued by the Ontario Newsroom.

The McMichael has identified that capital renewal of the building and landscape is urgently needed to prevent the failure of aging building components and to ensure the protection of $700 million in provincial assets.

Upgrades are necessary for the gallery to retain Class A status, which is a requirement for hosting travelling exhibitions and obtaining loans from other institutions. The loss of Class A status would put the McMichael’s exhibition program and principal revenue-generating activity at risk.

The McMichael is undertaking a revitalization and expansion of the gallery and surrounding lands to keep pace with the growth of Vaughan’s tourism sector and to continue serving as a world-class cultural anchor and premier destination for art, culture, and wellness. This will enable growth in the McMichael’s revenue-generating functions across all business lines. The proposed future state would improve art gallery functions, workspaces, and revenue-generation spaces through the expansion and renovation of the existing building.

The McMichael anticipates that based on the future state, attendance projections could increase by 150 per cent for a total of roughly 290,000 visitors per year. Revitalization would also enable revenue growth from the current $2.4 million per year to at least $4.5 million per year within five years of completion. This growth would derive from increased revenue across all business lines including exhibition attendance, the gallery shop, restaurant, weddings, tours, and programs.

Based on a report provided by the Osborne Group, the future state will generate an increase in Gross Domestic Product within the province of up to $18.8 million annually.

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a premier cultural destination that generates significant social and economic benefits for the local community and attracts visitors from around the globe.

Located in Kleinburg, the art gallery building was originally constructed in 1954 and lies adjacent to 100 acres of forested land along the Humber River. This land includes a network of outdoor paths and hiking trails and the McMichael Cemetery, where six Group of Seven members and the McMichael founders have been laid to rest.

As stewards of a rich collection of Canadian art and more than 100 acres of river valley and woodlands, McMichael makes a unique social and cultural contribution to the province and—through its vibrant touring exhibition program—to Canada as a whole.