The Art Gallery of Calgary
History of the Gallery
In 1977, 14 artist associations representing over 500 artists worked with the Calgary Public Library under the direction of Les Fowlie and prominent Calgary arts administrator, Dr. Archie F. Key, to convert the second floor of the Memorial Park Library into a public art gallery. The Gladys and Merrill Muttart Foundation provided funds for these renovations, and the Muttart Public Art Gallery opened its inaugural exhibition on December 4, 1977. The Muttart's early years marked its direction as a vital place where artists and audiences could meet in new and worthwhile ways.
Opening of the Muttart art gallery, Calgary, Alberta
December 1977
Glenbow Archives NA-2864-17754
From 1985 to 1990, under the direction of Director/Curator Richard White, the Muttart began a period of evolution that saw the introduction of professional gallery staff to manage and develop the Muttart's expanding programs including the introduction of its innovative art education programming. The exhibition program was expanded to include the work of emerging and established artists from across western Canada. These exhibitions covered the range of styles, media and approaches that were available to contemporary artists. The Muttart also undertook the management of the Traveling Exhibition Program through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and served as the coordinator for the program's Southwestern region for 15 years.
Between 1990 and 1995, the Muttart experienced increasing attendance at its exhibitions, growing participation in its education programs, rising staff numbers and an expanded local and national profile as a leading Western Canadian public contemporary art gallery. The Muttart began to explore the development of a major new facility where it could build on the organization's successes.
In 1997, under the direction of Director/Curator, Kathryn Burns, the Muttart purchased two historic buildings on Stephen Avenue. The Muttart received a $950,000 contribution from The Calgary Foundation towards the purchase of the buildings, and over the next two years, raised $2.8M from the community for their renovation. This stands as an expression of the community's support for the Muttart's role as a distinctive and vibrant centre for contemporary art.
8 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, ca. 1924
Art Gallery of Calgary buildings marked in blue
Glenbow Archives NA-2575-37 and -38
On March 2, 2000, under the direction of Director/Curator Gregory Elgstrand, the Muttart opened the doors of its new building and adopted a new name: the Art Gallery of Calgary.
In 2005, under the direction of Executive Director, Valerie Cooper, the AGC celebrated the completion of its second phase of renovations including a new boardroom, Media Gallery, kitchen, prep-room, security system, furnishings, computer network, sound system and the AGCshop. Improvements could not have been made without the $265,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from the community. Today, AGC is excited to have completed the $200,000 campaign to finish floors and install environmental controls in the gallery. As part of its programming vision, the AGC seeks to build relationships with organizations and artists who demand strict environmental controls for the presentation of their work. With these controls, the AGC positions itself as one of only three galleries in Calgary, and the only non-collecting contemporary art facility, with the capacity to host such projects.
The Art Gallery of Calgary is an interactive dynamic forum for contemporary art and an active part of the local, national, and international network of contemporary cultural organizations. Our diverse exhibition program showcases Calgary artists and brings works by leading Canadian contemporary artists to our city. Our lively programs for all ages foster the understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and culture.