The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, has announced its temporary closure on July 26th for a significant redevelopment project of its building and grounds. The museum, dedicated to Canadian and Indigenous art, is set to undergo construction starting in fall 2026 with completion expected by 2029.
Leading the redevelopment is Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, representing the first major investment in the McMichael site in over four decades. The gallery’s official website outlines a comprehensive redevelopment plan aimed at enhancing collection care, expanding exhibitions and programs, and improving visitor experiences.
The project, detailed in a news release, will introduce a 60% increase in space for exhibitions, education, conservation, and public programming. Additionally, it will modernize building systems and facilities, introduce state-of-the-art classrooms and studios, and create purpose-built areas for various events and activities.
Initiated in 2025, the revitalization project received support from the Ontario government, committing up to $50 million over three years, with an additional $25 million contribution from the federal government’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The total project cost is estimated at $150 million, inclusive of private donations.
Throughout the construction phase, the McMichael’s renowned collection will remain accessible through touring exhibitions of Canadian art domestically and internationally. The collection comprises nearly 8,000 artworks, featuring masterpieces by iconic artists like Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and Indigenous artists such as Norval Morrisseau, Kent Monkman, and Daphne Odjig, among others.
Chief Curator Sarah Milroy expressed excitement about the museum’s future, emphasizing the aim to provide a world-class cultural institution that reflects Canada’s diverse heritage. Situated on 40 hectares of wooded conservation land overlooking the East Humber River Valley, the McMichael gallery was originally the private residence of art enthusiasts Robert and Signe McMichael.
The couple donated their extensive art collection, home, and land to the Province of Ontario in 1965, leading to the official opening of the “McMichael Conservation Collection of Art” on July 8, 1966. The property also houses a unique cemetery with large Canadian Shield rocks marking the resting place of six Group of Seven members, their spouses, and the McMichaels.
