KLEINBURG, Ontario – Visitors will continue to enjoy the extensive selection of Canadian art at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection consists of 6,000 works of art by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Inuit, and other artists that have made a contribution to Canada’s artistic heritage.

Funding will allow the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to purchase specialized equipment including digital data loggers, digitization equipment, and freezers for storage. The specialized equipment will improve the protection of the art collection, improve staff safety, and modernize the technology used to digitize the art collection.

“Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in projects that improve cultural facilities like the McMichael Canadian Art Collection,” said Minister Moore. “By supporting organizations that provide access to Canadian art, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage.”

“The McMichael Canadian Art Collection offers our community and visitors an opportunity to view rare works from innovative Canadian artists known across the world,” said Minister Fantino. “Today's announcement will allow the gallery to improve the presentation and preservation of its culturally relevant collection for all Canadians to enjoy.”

“The McMichael Art Collection holds one of Canada's greatest collections and we are delighted to receive the support to ensure the safety of this irreplaceable national treasure,” said Victoria Dickenson, Executive Director of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. “With this investment, we will also increase our capacity to make our collections of Canadian art available globally on our website.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $32,200 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.