Mackenzie Art Gallery gifted $1 million

The Mackenzie Art Gallery has received a $1-million boost.

The gift from Gordon and Jill Rawlinson was announced Wednesday in Regina. The money will support the launch of the free admission days at the gallery 12 times a year for the next five years.

“We have spent the last several years working towards expanding and refining our exhibitions and programming, and this generous gift will strengthen our capacity to be a creative hub and meeting place, fostering meaningful experiences of the world through art,” Mackenzie executive director and CEO Anthony Kiendl said in a news release.

In June, the art gallery began charging admission to access the second floor, which houses current exhibitions. Access to the museum’s ground floor, including the BMO Learning Centre, Craft Services and the Shumiatcher Theatre has remained free for visitors. The free admission days will provide free access to the entire gallery with special events 12 times a year.

“Jill and I are thrilled to help ensure the museum is accessible to everyone. We hope that the many free admission events will offer memorable experiences and enhance the quality of life in Regina,” Gordon Rawlinson, Rawlco president and CEO, said in the release.

The first free admission day will take place Nov. 16, celebrating the opening of two new exhibitions: Uprising: The Power of Mother Earth — Christi Belcourt, A Retrospective with Isaac Murdoch; and Banners for New Empires — Rajni Perera and Nep Sidhu. Both are open for viewing with free admission from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a celebration of the opening will take place as part of Saskatchewan Multicultural Week.