Agnes Etherington Art Centre (AGNES) and the Government of Canada announced on October 28, a $2 million contribution from Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. The funds are earmarked to help renovate historic Etherington House as part of the larger Agnes Reimagined project on the main Queen's University campus.
The federal funding contribution was a key factor in the project budget that includes a fully accessible renovation of the historic Etherington House into a welcoming cultural hub and live-in artist residence.
Rendering of the Agnes Reimagined project, which shows the historic Etherington House to the right of a new three-story curvilinear pavilion. (PFS Studio)
"The new Indigenous artist residency and the creation of three new presentation spaces within the historic Etherington House will strengthen community ties between AGNES and the community and encourage socially engaged and innovative projects," said the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, noting it demonstrates the government's commitment to Canada's arts and cultural sector.
Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, said the investment will enhance Kingston's dynamic arts and cultural landscape, while also positioning the city and the surrounding region as a lively hub for creativity, innovation, and community engagement.
The Etherington House renovation is part of a larger project known as Agnes Reimagined, which will see a 200% increase in exhibition, public programming, education and other flexible, future-embracing, spaces.
Attached to the historic Etherington House facility will be a new three-story curvilinear pavilion designed with new kinds of museum architectures built around the needs of diverse cultural traditions and protocols.
"Our new building won't be a container for old systems. It is a proposition for new ideas," says Emelie Chhangur, Agnes's Director and Curator. "We are thrilled to welcome Canadian Heritage on our journey of transformation. This $2M commitment is validating, as it signals that together we can ensure the cultural institutions of Canada's future will no longer be those of Canada's colonial past."
Agnes Reimagined would not be possible without transformational lead gifts totaling US$75 million from Bader Philanthropies Inc, a private foundation stewarding the legacy of the late Alfred and Isabel Bader. AGNES is also home to the world-renowned Bader Collection.
"Queen's is honoured to serve as home to this exciting project," said Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancelor of Queen's University. "The generous private and public funding that has come forward to support AGNES recognizes the importance of culture and art in our lives. This will be the largest public university-affiliated museum in Canada, where Western and Indigenous worldviews sit side by side as equals."
Construction for Agnes Reimagined began on May 13, 2024, and is scheduled to open in 2026. Find out more about this exciting announcement on the AGNES REIMAGINED website.
