Glenbow is celebrating its 60th anniversary!
Over the past six decades, Glenbow has grown into one of Western Canada’s most beloved and impactful cultural institutions, connecting generations of visitors with art, culture, history, and the many voices that shape this place.
We’re marking the anniversary with a special series on our blog exploring Glenbow’s origins, evolution, collections, and what’s next. Previously, we explored Glenbow’s founding and the life and legacy of founder Eric Lafferty Harvie, Glenbow’s history in spaces, and highlights from Glenbow’s collections. In our final post in the series, we’re looking ahead to Glenbow’s next chapter.
A Revitalized Building
At 60, Glenbow is entering a bold new era. The museum recently completed base building construction of Glenbow’s revitalized home, the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture – a major milestone in its transformation into a reimagined cultural destination for all.
The renovated building features a welcoming new main entrance on a revitalized Stephen Avenue and public access to all eight floors of the museum. Visitors will also experience new gathering and programming spaces, including a 13,000-square-foot rooftop terrace designed by artist Maya Lin, as well as a new theatre, shop, and restaurant.
With the base building complete, Glenbow’s team recently moved back into the building to begin activating more than 50 new exhibitions, displays, programming spaces, and more – an exciting step toward reopening.
A Welcoming and Accessible New Experience
With exhibitions, displays, and installations across eight floors and 325,000 square feet of inviting new space, the reimagined museum will offer more opportunities for visitors to connect with art, culture, history, and one another.
The museum will also provide greater access to Glenbow’s diverse collections of more than 250,000 works of art, objects, and belongings. New collections storage spaces with expansive windows will allow visitors to view art and object storage, while Glenbow’s new Conservation Lab offers a look at how conservators care for art, objects, and belongings.
Accessibility is also central to Glenbow’s future vision. Thanks to a transformative gift from Shaw Family Foundation, the JR Shaw Free Admission Endowment will establish free general admission to the museum, forever – a first for any major museum in Canada.
Additionally, new spaces have been designed without barriers to cognitive, cultural, economic, social, or physical accessibility – helping ensure everyone feels welcome.
A Continued Commitment to Community
For 60 years, Glenbow has helped people connect through art, culture, and shared stories. That commitment continues with a new exhibition strategy built on the belief that everyone belongs at the museum. Collaboration is central to this work, with community members shaping selected exhibitions, programming, and stewardship.
When the museum reopens, it will feature a reimagined Blackfoot Gallery led by Niitsitapi/ Blackfoot Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, Kainai Nation, and the Amskapi Piikani Nation in present-day Montana, in tandem with globally recognized Indigenous curator and scholar Gerald McMaster. It will also feature a new Indigenous Peoples’ Contemporary Gallery and new community spaces to support increased Indigenous access to belongings in Glenbow’s care.
Additional community-centered projects include a display curated in collaboration with Calgary’s diverse immigrant communities, beginning with community members from Mexico, Indonesia, and Ethiopia; a gallery dedicated to emerging Alberta artists; a gallery exhibiting Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker, co-curated with designer Paul Hardy; and more to be announced.
Looking Ahead
The past 60 years established Glenbow as one of Western Canada’s leading museums. The next chapter is about building a museum that is more open, welcoming, and connected to the communities whose stories it holds.
As Glenbow looks toward its bold new future, the museum’s story is still being written – and we’re thrilled to be writing it with you.
