The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, has announced its temporary closure from the evening of July 26 to commence a significant redevelopment of its building and surrounding grounds. The gallery, dedicated to Canadian and Indigenous art, is set to undergo construction starting in fall 2026, with completion expected in 2029.
Leading the redevelopment is Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, marking the first substantial investment in the McMichael site in over four decades. The gallery’s official website describes the redevelopment as transformative, aimed at enhancing the care of the collection, expanding exhibitions and programs, and improving the overall visitor experience.
According to a recent news release, the project will increase exhibition, education, conservation, and public programming space by 60%. Additionally, the modernization of outdated building systems and facilities will take place, along with the addition of state-of-the-art classrooms, studios, and purpose-built areas for various events, concerts, lectures, conferences, and dining.
Funding for the revitalization project was secured in 2025, with the Ontario government committing up to $50 million over three years and the federal government pledging an additional $25 million through its Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The estimated total cost of the project is $150 million, including contributions from private donations.
During the construction phase, the McMichael’s collection will remain accessible through touring exhibitions of Canadian art both nationally and internationally. The permanent collection, which includes nearly 8,000 artworks featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and Indigenous artists like Norval Morrisseau and Kent Monkman, will continue to showcase the diverse story of Canadian art.
Chief Curator Sarah Milroy expressed excitement about the project, emphasizing the aim to provide Canadians with a world-class museum that reflects the nation’s rich culture. The McMichael gallery, situated on a picturesque 40-hectare wooded conservation land overlooking the East Humber River Valley, was originally the private residence of art collectors Robert and Signe McMichael.
In 1965, the McMichaels generously donated their collection, home, and land to the Province of Ontario. The “McMichael Conservation Collection of Art” officially opened to the public on July 8, 1966, and has since evolved into a significant cultural institution. The property also houses a unique cemetery where six members of the Group of Seven, their spouses, and the McMichaels are laid to rest, marked not by traditional gravestones but by large pieces of the Canadian Shield.