The revitalized Agnes will create a vibrant hub for the presentation, research, and study of visual arts on campus.
Queen鈥檚 University is announcing a $40-million (USD) gift from Bader Philanthropies, Inc., to revitalize and expand the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and create a new home for the Bader Collection.
The philanthropic investment has the potential to create one of the largest university art museums in Canada and will help Queen鈥檚 researchers and students play a fundamental role in enabling societies to better understand, protect, and experience the world鈥檚 artistic and cultural treasures.
鈥淨ueen鈥檚 University is the place where my father鈥檚 future as a renowned chemist, entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist started and is one of the reasons why the Foundation is inspired to make a significant commitment,鈥 says Daniel J. Bader, President/CEO of Bader Philanthropies, Inc. 鈥淨ueen鈥檚 University鈥檚 groundbreaking vision for the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, a world class visual arts institution, has the potential to transform the lives of students, practitioners and art enthusiasts for decades to come. And, we are grateful to be a partner as we begin this chapter.鈥
The revitalized Agnes will create a vibrant hub for the presentation, research, and study of visual arts on campus. The facility will include the art museum, which is a learning space for diverse disciplines at Queen鈥檚 and is the public gallery for Kingston and region, as well as homes for the graduate program in Art Conservation, and graduate and undergraduate programs in Art History.
鈥淭he arts ignite our creative pursuits and speak to the very core of our humanity,鈥 says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. 鈥淓ven during these trying and challenging times, we have seen how the arts have provided solace and optimism bringing us together to understand our shared history and culture. The power of art cannot be underestimated, and today鈥檚 announcement is an exciting step towards making Queen鈥檚 one of the world鈥檚 foremost leaders in arts education.鈥濃
Queen鈥檚 will be better able to attract top students and strengthen the university鈥檚 position as a premier destination for education in the visual arts. The revitalized Agnes will create new opportunities for research and enhance experiential learning opportunities for students across disciplines. For students in the arts, this will help them graduate as leaders in their fields who go on to make valuable contributions at the world鈥檚 top museums and institutes.
鈥淎s a student of the arts, the value of the rich collections, incredible opportunities, and commitment to student learning at the Agnes cannot be understated,鈥 says Maddi Andrews, Artsci鈥19, MA鈥21 and Research Assistant, Digital Projects (European Art) at the Agnes. 鈥淣ot only have my academic studies been strengthened by proximity to these diverse collections, but my involvement as a volunteer and employee has uniquely prepared me for my future career path. The revitalization of Agnes means more students will have the opportunity to grow and explore.鈥
Expanded galleries and more technical spaces will enhance Queen鈥檚 ability to care for and showcase the Agnes鈥檚 magnificent art collections, including cutting-edge contemporary art, Indigenous art, Canadian historical art and African historical art, as well as the Collection of Canadian Dress.鈥 comprises more than 500 works with a focus on 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, including one portrait and three exquisite character studies by Rembrandt.
An expanded Agnes will enable the university to create central ceremonial and event spaces available to the entire Queen鈥檚 community, as well as dedicated space for use by Indigenous communities.
The revitalization project is expected to be completed in 2024. The Agnes was last expanded in 2000 with considerable assistance from the Bader Family.
The late Dr. Alfred Bader, BSc鈥45, BA鈥46, MSc鈥47, LLD鈥86, and his wife, Dr. Isabel Overton Bader, LLD鈥07, have been among the university鈥檚 most generous benefactors, supporting the arts at Queen鈥檚 for decades.
Daniel (Alfred鈥檚 son) continues his family鈥檚 legacy of philanthropy at Queen鈥檚. Last year, he and his wife, Linda, donated a Rembrandt painting, Head of an Old Man with Curly Hair,鈥痶o the Agnes in honour of Alfred.
Queen鈥檚 Announces Investments in the Arts
This gift is among a number of philanthropic investments Queen鈥檚 has announced in support of the arts this month. Other gifts include a donation by Marjorie Ernestine Bernstein in support of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, and gifts to the Department of Art History and Art Conservation from The Jarislowsky Foundation and Dr. Isabel Overton Bader.
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