$10 million Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment Closed
OTTAWA, ON, April 3, 2024 /CNW/ - The National Gallery of Canada Foundation announced today the successful closure of its $10-million Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment.
Every two years, more than 80 countries send artists to La Biennale di Venezia ? the oldest and most important curated contemporary art event in the world, where art, ideas and international diplomacy intersect. Canadian artists have exhibited at the Canada Pavilion ? which is owned by the National Gallery of Canada on behalf of the nation ? for more than 60 years.
The Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment was launched in 2015 with a mission to serve as a future-focused financial model in support of artists representing Canada at the career-defining Biennale. Yearly investment income from the Endowment provides sustainable funding in perpetuity for Canada's artists exhibiting their work at the Canada Pavilion in Venice.
Canada's participation has been instrumental in promoting the reputation of Canadian artists and their work on the international stage. "Canada's representation at the Venice Biennale is historic," said Jean-François Bélisle, Director and CEO, National Gallery of Canada. "The Biennale is a key part of the global arts ecosystem, and we feel fortunate to have fortified the longevity of our presence at the Canada Pavilion through a unique model of private and public partnerships resulting in the Endowment. The NGC is honoured to commission Canada's representation at the Biennale, and to provide full financial support to Canadian artists' presentations and their contributions to artistic conversations."
Ann Bowman, Chair, National Gallery of Canada Foundation, applauded Vice-Chair and founding Endowment Patron, Michelle Koerner.
"Michelle's extraordinary philanthropy and energetic commitment to empowering our contemporary artists in Canada and abroad were fundamental to successfully reaching the Endowment goal," Bowman said.
"In her role as Chair of the Foundation's Venice Fundraising Committee, Michelle's unwavering dedication to leading our biannual fundraising for Canada's official artistic representation in Venice is unmatched."
The National Gallery of Canada Foundation began fundraising for the Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment in 2015, and just shy of a decade later, the Endowment Patrons have generously empowered Canadian artists in perpetuity at the Biennale through the establishment of a self-sustaining financial model. The impact of this Endowment will be felt by artists for generations.
"It is a great honour to mark the successful closure of the Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment and celebrate this passionate community of Patrons, while we continue our biannual campaigns to ensure Canada's contemporary artists benefit from an augmented funding opportunity to present their work in Venice," said Lisa Turcotte, Chief Executive Officer, National Gallery of Canada Foundation.
The National Gallery of Canada and the Foundation together gratefully acknowledge our Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment Patrons:
Special thanks to Reesa Greenberg whose generous financial support funded the 2018 restoration of the Canada Pavilion in Venice and continues to maintain it.
$2 Million +
The Michael and Sonja Koerner Charitable Foundation
D. R. Sobey Foundation
$1 Million
The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation
$500,000
The Michelle Koerner Family Foundation
Jackie Flanagan
Private family foundation
$250,000
Hon. Bill Morneau & Nancy McCain
Rosamond Ivey
$100,000
Robin & Malcolm Anthony
The Freybe Family
The DH Gales Family Charitable Foundation of Toronto
Nadir & Shabin Mohamed
Stonecroft Foundation for the Arts
The Foundation acknowledges the Canada Council for the Arts and the many dedicated donors and corporate partners, notably past Presenting sponsor RBC. All have provided vital financial support totalling more than $20 million to artist exhibitions at the Canada Pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2010.
The National Gallery of Canada Foundation proudly thanks donors for their support of Canada's artist at this year's Venice Biennale. Kapwani Kiwanga's exhibition is commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and presented in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada Foundation and the Canada Council for the Arts.
The National Gallery of Canada Foundation is dedicated to supporting the National Gallery of Canada in fulfilling its mandate. By fostering strong philanthropic partnerships, the Foundation provides the Gallery with the additional financial support required to lead Canada's visual arts community locally, nationally and internationally. The blend of public support and private philanthropy empowers the Gallery to preserve and interpret Canada's visual arts heritage. The Foundation welcomes present and deferred gifts for special projects and endowments. Visit ngcfoundation.ca to learn more about the National Gallery of Canada Foundation.
Ankosé / Everything is Connected / Tout est relié
The National Gallery of Canada is dedicated to amplifying voices through art and to extending the reach and breadth of its collection, exhibitions program and public activities to represent all people in Canada, while centering Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Ankosé ? an Anishinaabemowin word that means "everything is connected" ? reflects the Gallery's mission to create dynamic experiences that open hearts and minds and allow for new ways of seeing ourselves, one another and our diverse histories, through the visual arts. The Gallery is home to a rich contemporary Indigenous international art collection, as well as important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian and European art from the 14th to the 21st centuries. Founded in 1880, the Gallery has played a key role in Canadian culture for more than 140 years. Visit gallery.ca for more information.
SOURCE National Gallery of Canada Foundation
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