World’s Largest Public Collection Of Contemporary Inuit Art Opens [FORBES.com]
By Sandra MacGregor
The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) is inviting everyone to celebrate the opening of one of Canada’s most long-awaited and groundbreaking museums, Qaumajuq, with a virtual celebration and free days on March 25 and 26, 2021.
Qaumajuq, home to the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world / LINDSAY REID
This once-in-a-lifetime opening will celebrate the launch of Qaumajuq, (which means “it is bright, it is lit” in Inuktitutan) an extraordinary new museum that is home to the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. In a one-of-a-kind, space-sharing design, the center is connected to all levels of the Winnipeg Art Gallery to create an amazing 185,000-square-foot (4.24 acres, the size of four football fields) cultural campus in the vibrant center of downtown Winnipeg.
Qaumajuq will help bridge Canada’s North and South (and the greater world at large) through exhibitions, research, education, and art making. The center was born through the hard work of a community of artists, Indigenous advisors, partners, and stakeholders who have joined to build an incredible “gathering place where all are welcome and where everyone’s stories are told and heard in a true spirit of reconciliation”.
Qaumajuq ,main gallery / LINDSAY REID
“Qaumajuq is a new museum, a transcendent place where Inuit vision and voices illuminate and inspire. We would not be here without the dedication and support of many individuals, families, organizations, governments, staff, and volunteers. We thank BMO Financial Group for investing in Qaumajuq, Eagle Vision for guiding our celebrations, and all our opening supporters for ensuring everyone can be part of this historic moment for Canada and Inuit everywhere, no matter where you are in the world. Above all, we are profoundly grateful to the Inuit artists, living and now passed, who inspire us, and have given us a reason to build Qaumajuq. This new centre is their stories told, their voices heard,” said Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Qaumajuq, visible vault / LINDSAY REID
During the two-part virtual celebration on March 25 and 26, 2021 viewers can enjoy artwork, performances, voices, and ceremonies. Qaumajuq will open its doors to the public on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Here’s just some of the highlights of what to expect from this not-to-be-missed opening:
Virtual Opening:
PART I: March 25, 6:30pm CT WELCOME: Takes you on a journey through the new 40,000-square-foot building by Michael Maltzan Architecture; the world-renowned collection of Inuit art it holds; the education, outreach and meeting place it will provide; and the inspiration for its design and function. Performers from Inuit Nunangat, the homeland of Inuit in Canada – including Inuit performance collective ArtCirq and hoop dancer Marika Sila – will come together with Manitoba artists like viral TikTok jiggers and hip-hop dancers the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers Mikey, Jacob and Cieana Harris, singer-songwriter Don Amero, and throat-singers Nikki Komaksiutiksak and Chasity Swan, and more.
Qaumajuq, visible vault / LINDSAY REID
PART II - March 26, 6:30pm CT - CEREMONY & CELEBRATE: Tells the story of the spirits that exist within the art, the blessing of Qaumajuq in ceremony by the Seven Nations of Manitoba, and a mix of celebratory messages from across the country and beyond.
HOW TO WATCH: The virtual opening is free and accessible to all, streamed on the WAG website, social media, and available through broadcasting partners. Both segments are approximately 60 minutes and start at 6:30pm CT. RSVP at wag.ca/opening. The event is part of a year of celebrations called Qaumajuq365, offering many ways to get involved with the inaugural year, virtually and in-person at a safe distance.
Free Days:
All are invited to sign-up for free timed-tickets to explore the new building (limited quantity available). Advanced registration is required.
March 27, 11am-10pm, March 28-April 2, 11am-9pm, Canada Life Qaumajuq Free Days@WAG: Everyone is invited to come check out the new building for free with special interactive programming for families. Canada Life Free Sundays@WAG start up again on March 14, 2021 (WAG only) and continue on the second Sunday of every month, including Qaumajuq as of April 11, 2021. The WAG is closed to the public March 21-26, 2021.
To find out more about the events and how to enjoy the Free Days, visit the Winnipeg Art Gallery website.