Submitted. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway and Member of Parliament (Abbotsford), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Abbotsford Cultural Centre’s Reach Gallery Museum.
“Our Government is pleased to support the Reach Gallery Museum and the many benefits it brings to the Fraser Valley,” said Minister Fast. “Centres like this one help strengthen our collective identity and also contribute to Canada’s economic vitality.”
With this funding, the Reach Gallery Museum will host “The Navy: A Century in Art” from September 26, 2013 to January 5, 2014. The travelling exhibit—circulated by the Canadian War Museum—features paintings from the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art, a nationally significant collection of Canada’s leading war artists. To complement the exhibit, the Museum will offer community-engagement programs, including a series of public lectures and artists talks.
In addition, from January 1 to July 23, 2014, the Museum will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident, when the arrival in Canadian waters of a chartered Japanese steamship carrying more than 300 people from India challenged the Canadian immigration laws of the day. Activities will include literary readings, artist displays and tours of the Gur Sikh Temple—a National Historic Site of Canada. A permanent display featuring a storyboard and historical objects of the Komagata Maru will also reside at the Sikh Heritage Museum, located at the Gur Sikh Temple. This project will feature the work of 33 local artists and presenters.
“Beginning on Canada Day 2013, Canadians from coast to coast to coast mark the first ever Canada History Week,” said Minister Moore. “During Canada History Week, I encourage all Canadians to visit a museum, tour one of our great national historic sites or speak to a veteran and learn what makes Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today.”
“The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford greatly acknowledges support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Museums Assistance Program and the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program, for ongoing programming at the Reach,” said Scott Marsden, Curator, the Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford. “These exhibitions will reach a broad spectrum of the public in Abbotsford and throughout the Fraser Valley.”
Since opening in 2008, the Abbotsford Cultural Centre has emerged as a hub of cultural life in Abbotsford. The purpose-built art gallery and museum provides local residents and visitors with dynamic regional, national and international arts and heritage exhibitions and interactive learning opportunities. The Reach’s mission is to be the centre of cultural and creative innovation in the Fraser Valley by offering diverse community-based public exhibitions and visual arts presentations.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $15,000 through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
The Government of Canada has also provided funding of $5,400 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.