We welcome
gallery’s new beginning
By The Daily Gleaner
Editorial
23 Apr 2012 08:24AM
Fredericton’s and
New Brunswick’s shining art star took a deep breath and embarked on what
promises to be a fine future last week.
The Beaverbrook Art
Gallery announced a new partnership with the National Bank that Beaverbrook
Campaign manager Nancy Coy calls more significant than a simple donation.
We see it as a new
life that raises the horizons for what has long been described as one of this
city’s greatest assets.
In late 2011,
Beaverbrook Art Gallery CEO Bernard Riordon said there isn’t a city in Canada
of Fredericton’s size that houses the art treasures in the Beaverbrook
collection. That, of course, is the envy of many communities.
When Lord
Beaverbrook built the art gallery in 1958, he also dressed its walls with the
best of art from his private collection, and through the Canada Beaverbrook and
U.K. Beaverbrook foundations, the facility was gifted with $200,000 annually to
support operating costs.
That funding ended
abruptly in 2003 with the widely publicized bitter court fight between Lord
Beaverbrook’s heirs and the gallery.
That squabble threw
the whole future of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery into uncertainty.
Nonetheless, that
challenge is behind the leaders at the gallery, and the first move in a new
direction took place in November with the announcement of a $25-million capital
campaign to provide an endowment fund from which the gallery can draw interest
to fund operations and programs and $15 million for expansion.
Last week, the
announcement concerning the partnership with the National Bank brought even
more good news.
Everyone can be
most satisfied with the largess of the National Bank, which will provide a
two-pronged base that includes funding to continue the Beaverbrook’s Drinks
with Dali program, which provides an introduction and tour of the gallery, as
well as a $50,000 donation to the Beaverbrook’s Capital Campaign.
“It’s a very
significant commitment for us because it helps the gallery both in its regular
operating and also for the future with the capital campaign,” Ms. Coy said.
“This doesn’t
happen with everyone. We have very good support from many of the financial
institutions, but this two-level partnership we have here is a very interesting
one.”
National Bank
president Louis Vachon said the support reflects the bank’s commitment to
supporting Canadian artists and recognizing the contribution of art to society.
Joan Beauchamp, the
bank’s senior advisor for public affairs, said the partnership also presents a
couple of advantages for the bank.
“Its part of our
community outreach program, and it’s also part of business development for us,”
she said.
We’re as excited
about this turn of events for the gallery as anyone. It’s one of the major
blessings many hoped for — but didn’t expect — after recent conflicts.
We hope other
corporations and organizations will open their wallets as the National Bank has
done.
It’s a great day
for Fredericton and New Brunswick — a day when we look toward the future with
Gainsborough, Dali, Turner and so many others safely ensconced where Lord
Beaverbrook wanted them over 50 years ago.
Congratulations to
all who worked to achieve this pioneering partnership.
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