The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is entering its final fundraising phase to raise the remaining $24 million needed to complete its new waterfront home at Prince Arthur's Landing; a once-in-a-generation cultural legacy project for Northern Ontario. With more than $51 million already secured through government funding and generous donors, the project is now in its critical final phase. The Gallery hosted an announcement event today at its current Art Gallery location, followed by hard-hat tours of the construction site, to share updates on one of the region's most significant cultural infrastructure projects.

“This is more than a building; it's a gathering place that reflects who we are as a community,” said Matthew R. Hills, Executive Director of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. “The new Gallery will be fully accessible, designed for all ages, and home to exhibitions and programs that celebrate Indigenous, regional, and national artists. It will be a space where everyone feels welcome.”

City Manager John Collin underscored the City's commitment, noting, “The new Art Gallery will be an iconic addition to our waterfront—It will be a gathering place to celebrate the arts, celebrate community, and celebrate a thriving waterfront. The City is proud to be a funding partner and to offer other forms of support to this exceptional project.”

The new 37,500-square-foot Waterfront Gallery will feature large exhibition galleries, flexible event spaces, classrooms for creative learning, a dedicated children's studio, a café, gift shop, and climate-controlled storage to protect over 1,800 works of art held in trust for the country. Outdoor gathering areas and direct lakefront access will strengthen the Gallery's role as a vibrant cultural hub. New Co-Chairs Shelley Crawford and Dr. John Hodson stated: “The road ahead won't be navigated by small steps—it demands a bold leap from each of us.” The Waterfront Gallery is expected to open in 2027 and generate millions in tourism, economic activity, and cultural vibrancy for the region.

For nearly 50 years, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery has been Northern Ontario's leading public gallery, with a mandate to exhibit, collect, and support contemporary Indigenous artists and regional creators. The new Waterfront Gallery represents the most significant cultural infrastructure investment in the region in a generation, ensuring the Gallery can serve future audiences with expanded exhibitions, education, and community programming.