A view of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.
Our editors’ weekly roundup of Canadian art news.
The National Gallery of Canada announced on Thursday that a number of their admissions fees—particularly for adults and seniors—will be increasing on May 1 in an effort to “allow the Museum to cover the growing operating costs while continuing to provide stimulating exhibitions and programs for all ages.” The price of an adult admission will increase from $12 to $15, while the cost for seniors will increase from $10 to $13. The gallery is introducing a lower rate of $7 for visitors under 24 and full-time students. It is the first admission increase at the NGC since 2013.
Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts announced the winners of their 2017 prizes in a press release this week. Nep Sidhu, who works in painting, sculpture and textiles, has won the top artist prize of $15,000. Marvin Luvualu António and Coco Guzman were finalists for the award, and each will receive $5,000. This year’s Founder Achievement Award goes to Eberhard Zeidler and two of his daughters, Christina and Marge, for their architectural and civic contributions to Toronto’s art community, including revitalizing the Gladstone Hotel and 401 Richmond. Project support this year went to Akin Projects, the Art Gallery of York University, Brett Despotovich and 8-11, while a large anniversary award of $22,000 was given to the Art Museum at the University of Toronto for an upcoming publication written by Luis Jacob.
Andi Icaza-Largaespada has won the second annual CAG Prize, awarded by the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver with support from Peter Szeto Investment Group and BMO Nesbitt Burns. The award, which includes a prize of $2,500 and a solo presentation at the CAG, is given to an emerging artist selected from the BFA program at the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University.
Lisa Kehler Art and Projects announced on social media this week that the gallery’s physical space at 171 McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg will be closing on July 1. Kehler stated that, “in an effort to respond to the current market in Winnipeg and Canada,” she has decided to work with a different model, determined after consultation with a range of arts professionals. The gallery first launched in 2015 with a showing by Paul Butler, and represents artists including Erica Eyres, Aganetha Dyck, Scott Benesiinaabandan and Robert Taite.
