Work will begin later this month on the Southern Alberta Art Gallery Facilities Enhancement project.
This initiative is part of the City of Lethbridge 2022–2031 Capital Improvement Program, as it transforms existing interior spaces and adds new indoor and outdoor amenities.
SAAG Executive Director Su Ying Strang said the investment in cultural infrastructure in downtown Lethbridge is exciting. “It’s important to have arts at the heart of our cities.”
“That’s what makes cities livable and a wonderful place to spend your lives and call home. With the Gallery’s expansion, we’ll see new interior and exterior amenities that make a huge difference in the ways people access and enjoy our facility,” Strang added. “Everything from our new catering kitchen and cafe hosting a variety of events to our exterior spaces on our park-side patio and our listening garden will have ways for folks to come and enjoy the space.”
Thanks to the new additions and revitalization, guests can visit SAAG to enjoy the best-in-class contemporary art, as well as increased hospitality, Strang noted.
“Our lower gallery will become Class A, which is another incredible feature. This Class A gallery space allows us to have greater access to a broader range of artworks and touring exhibitions across the world and ensures we have the standards that galleries and museums need for a modern facility today,” Strang explained.
According to Strang, SAAG is looking to reopen in May 2028.
Strang is most excited about the new ways to imagine how people can engage in the city’s civic spaces. “It’s not just about coming in quietly engaging in an art gallery and leaving. It’s about spending time in our civic spaces. It’s about enjoying our downtown amenities.”
“I’m looking forward to a variety of new ways folks can access and spend time in the gallery. I’m also looking forward to some greater connection to Galt Gardens and the outdoors. We will have a new park-side entrance and this is going to be a critical piece of the infrastructure to connect Galt Gardens to the Gallery, Festival Square and to downtown businesses and amenities and ensure we’re not blocking access to this important downtown green space,” Strang said.
In the meantime, residents and visitors can check out the four off-site SAAG in the City locations.
“We’re excited to be able to continue offering our contemporary art programming our communities have come to know and love throughout the duration of construction. Our programming is not slowing down at all. Instead, we’ll be popping up across the city,” Strang added.
The estimated cost of the project is $7,714,000. “Much of this is supported through federal and provincial grants,” the City noted.
Visit saag.ca for more information.
(Photo by Stan Ashbee)
