Simon Fraser University to build new art museum thanks to ‘significant’ donation

Simon Fraser University will build a new 12,000 -square-foot art museum, thanks to a “significant gift” from the family of former faculty member and gallery director, the late Edward Gibson.

“This new facility will be an exciting addition to the Burnaby campus and will enrich the cultural landscape of Metro Vancouver,” said SFU president Andrew Petter.

“This visionary gift from the Marianne and Edward Gibson Trust and family will enable students, scholars and the public to gain an appreciation and understanding of modern and contemporary art, while enabling SFU to extend its commitment to be Canada’s engaged university.”

Edward Gibson joined the university in 1965 as a charter faculty member and later went on to become director of the SFU Gallery in 1986 before retiring in 1997.

During his time with SFU he grew the university’s art collection from a value of $387,000 to $2.5 million. He also served as Teck Gallery director, an associate geography professor, and associate of the School for Contemporary Arts and of the natural resources management program.

The art museum will be located at SFU’s Burnaby campus.

“Edward had a great passion in his teaching, research and life for a sense of place intersected with design and style,” said Walter Gibson, son of Marianne and Edward Gibson. “The art museum represents the culmination of his vision for arts both at SFU and within the Canadian landscape.”

The museum is slated for completion in 2022.