OAG Expansion and Arts Court redevelopment construction begins

Full construction for the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and the Arts Court redevelopment is underway. Legal closing has been achieved between the City and the consortium of EBC Inc., DevMcGill and Groupe Germain, for the new OAG Expansion and upgrades to Arts Court.

“This development will be an important Sesquicentennial legacy project that will give our artists and audiences a place to come together,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Steps away from the new Rideau LRT station, this will be a truly regional arts and culture hub to be enjoyed by residents from across the city.”

“The revitalized Arts Court and OAG expansion will be a cornerstone building as we move forward with our vision of an arts and culture precinct near the Byward Market,” said Rideau-Vanier Councillor Mathieu Fleury. “It’s time to create a space worthy of our local talent and ambition.”

“This is a momentous milestone for the Ottawa Art Gallery and we couldn’t be happier,” said Alexandra Badzak, Ottawa Art Gallery Director and CEO. “This project is a coming-of-age for our community, a home for the arts, and an important legacy for the City of Ottawa.”

“The University of Ottawa is proud to be a partner in the Arts Court Redevelopment project. The facilities, including a 120 seat black box theatre and four studio-style classrooms, will add much needed expansion for the University’s Faculty of Arts Theatre programme.   The synergy of being located in the Arts Court Complex along with other arts organisations will foster new collaborative opportunities to the benefit of our students and the arts community in the region”, said professor Joël Beddows, chair of uOttawa’s Department of Theatre.

Planning for this project was a collaborative effort involving the City, key local arts partners including the OAG, SAW Video Media Art Centre, SAW Gallery, Independent Filmmakers Cooperative of Ottawa, Artengine, and the Department of Theatre at the University of Ottawa.

A project team has been established, hoarding has been installed, and construction activities have begun.The planned completion date for the OAG is in late 2017.  The new development tower with boutique hotel and condominiums, as well as the repurposed Arts Court are planned to be complete in 2018.

The OAG expansion and Arts Court redevelopment represents a public-private investment of over $100 million to rejuvenate the downtown core. This includes a $41.68-million investment by the city and their partners and a $60 million investment from the private sector. The project is a key part of the City of Ottawa’s Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture, which seeks to celebrate Ottawa’s cultural identity, develop creative spaces, promote Ottawa’s vibrant arts and culture scene, and invest in local culture.

Information about the construction project can be found on ottawa.ca . Residents and businesses can receive construction updates by signing up for e-mail updates .