Grand opening slated for 2026
QUÉBEC CITY, May 4, 2024
/CNW/ - The groundbreaking for the Espace Riopelle pavilion*, a
visionary expansion of the Musée national des beaux‑arts du Québec
(MNBAQ), took place in Québec City today.
The $84M project is inspired by
one of Québec's most renowned and beloved artists, Jean Paul Riopelle, who captured the attention
of Canada and the world with his
fearless creativity and iconic artworks. Last year Canada celebrated Riopelle's 100th anniversary
with initiatives and events across the world, including the
announcement of the new pavilion at the MNBAQ.
The pavilion dedicated to Riopelle's legacy is one of the
largest cultural infrastructure projects in Québec since the
inauguration of the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion in 2016.
The Espace Riopelle* groundbreaking took place just prior to the
annual fundraising gala, the Bal National OUTREMER, organized by
the MNBAQ Foundation.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction, and
was attended by the Quebec
Minister of Culture and Communications, Youth, and Minister
Responsible for the Outaouais Region Mathieu Lacombe; Mayor of
Québec City Bruno Marchand; members of the Jean Paul Riopelle
Foundation including Michael J. Audain; members of the
MNBAQ and the Fondation du MNBAQ Jean-Luc Murray and
Julie‑Anne Vien; architect Éric Gauthier from the
architectural firm fabg; Darren
Bolduc, President of CONCREA; and Yseult Riopelle, Jean
Paul Riopelle's daughter.
The MNBAQ also wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution
made by the engineering team from AtkinsRéalis and the project
manager CIMA+, that will bring this exceptional project to life in
the coming years.
Construction of the bright and elegant Espace Riopelle pavilion*
is scheduled to be complete in 2026. Six months prior to the
official inauguration, a selection of Jean
Paul Riopelle's most exciting works will be installed as
part of the MNBAQ's permanent collection. The new public spaces
will be prepared for the official opening as well.
When it opens in 2026, Espace Riopelle* promises to be a dynamic
audience experience, allowing visitors to rediscover one of
Quebec and Canada's most acclaimed artists. The pavilion
will fuse themes of art and nature, which defined Riopelle's life
and work, and it will seamlessly connect the MNBAQ to the famed
park it is situated on, the Plains of Abraham. In addition, digital
art and the outdoor installations will make this meeting place an
indispensable attraction to the region of Québec City.
The Riopelle pavilion* has a budget of $84 million, with contributions from several
public and private partners, including the Québec government,
Québec City, the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation, and the Fondation
du MNBAQ. It will meld perfectly with the existing museum complex
and become a harmonious link between the Gérard Morisset Pavilion,
the Charles Baillairgé Pavilion, and the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion
in addition to enhancing the experience of visitors and art
enthusiasts.
Light, innovation, and distinctive
architecture are the project's hallmarks
Carefully selected materials will be utilized to construct the
contemporary, luminous pavilion, where light, innovation, and
distinctive architecture serve as the project's hallmarks. Its
technological and innovative features promise to surprise and
delight the public.
Beyond the architectural features, this major project reflects a
vision of inclusion and accessibility that shapes the entire MNBAQ
museum complex by becoming the gateway to a space devoted to
research and education that will incorporate educational programs
for the general public, students, and researchers aimed at
heightening awareness of the importance of art in society.
A decisive, unifying
project
"The official launching today of the Espace
Riopelle construction site affords us an opportunity to
express our delight with this unifying, innovative project. Our
government is proud to support this major project, a genuine legacy
for the community. What is more, it is indeed poetic to conclude
the festivities surrounding Riopelle's centenary with the opening
of the pavilion planned in 2026."
-
Mathieu Lacombe
Minister
of Culture and Communications, Minister Responsible for Youth, and
Minister Responsible for the Outaouais Region
"Québec city is a city of culture and history. A
new page of history is being written today through this institution
that will highlight an outstanding artist and standard bearer of
visual art. It is a privilege to be able to build this major
cultural facility in Québec City. Riopelle's masterpiece Tribute
to Rosa Luxemburg could not have a finer showcase. Thank you to
the numerous partners and visionary art-loving patrons who are
contributing to this valuable legacy."
-
Bruno Marchand
Mayor of
Québec City
"With this great legacy of the Riopelle centenary
celebrations, we honour the memory of one of the most illustrious
artists of all time and a formidable cultural hero. Let us remember
that it is on this site that Riopelle aspired in the 1980s to
establish his foundation. Here we are, at last, almost half a
century later. We anchor an important part of his artistic legacy
here, where the land meets the river overlooking the natural
landscape he so revered. By dedicating this exceptional building to
Riopelle, we are creating a real springboard here and
internationally for not only Riopelle's work, but of all
Quebec and Canadian art. The
Riopelle Foundation would like to express our gratitude to the
Government of Quebec, the
City of Quebec and the MNBAQ for
this wonderful partnership."
-
Michael Audain
Chair and Co-Founder, Jean Paul
Riopelle Foundation
"We have reached this turning point in a major
project, in which the building will take shape and draw us in
practical terms to its opening. This new building will evidently
forever alter the face of the MNBAQ by making art more accessible
to everyone and by consolidating the MNBAQ's status as a major
establishment and a cultural hub in Québec."
- Frédéric
Gascon
Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the MNBAQ
"As we begin construction, we are also launching
our fundraising campaign, the biggest and most imposing in our
history. We believe that the enthusiasm surrounding the
construction of the Espace Riopelle will be reflected in the funds
collected, which will give us the necessary momentum to add to the
MNBAQ a fourth signature building that will be noteworthy at the
international level."
-
Julie-Anne Vien
Chair of
the Board of Directors, Fondation du MNBAQ
"Much more than a new pavilion, the Espace
Riopelle promises our museum complex a glowing future. It
sets in motion a project that transcends Riopelle's work and will
also incorporate an educational project in the arts and make our
establishment even more attractive to local and international
visitors. I would like to thank the MNBAQ's teams, who are
already contributing to making this adventure a resounding
success."
-
Jean-Luc Murray
Director
General of the MNBAQ
The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is a government
corporation subsidized by the Ministère de la Culture et des
Communications du Québec.
* The Espace Riopelle Pavilion is the provisional name.
The official name will be announced when it is chosen.
SOURCE Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec