Additional funding will help to support improvements to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery. (Photo: Downtown Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

$1 million provincial grant to support SAAG upgrades

Jul 24, 2024 | 4:50 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) has received more funding for its upcoming renovations.

The facility has been approved for a $1 million grant from the Government of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program. Members of Lethbridge City Council voted on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to add it to the project’s total budget, which will now be a little over $7 million.

A City document states that the SAAG’s existing building structure poses several operational challenges, which restricts access and security, and limits opportunities for broader community engagement, programming and growth.

These issues are said to be due to a lack of direct access to Galt Gardens via an integrated outdoor space and inadequate onsite food and beverage facilities.

The full scope of the improvement project includes:

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• Creating a food services space to expand opportunities for programming, community engagement and private event bookings
• Creating an exterior space that integrates Galt Gardens to support and expand programming and engagement
• Improving indoor spaces with safety, security and accessibility in mind
• Modernizing gallery spaces to meet current contemporary art gallery standards, including air quality, lighting, art handling, and receiving and preparatory areas
• Creating an indoor “pop-up” theatre for showcasing independent films
• Replacing all lighting with LED fixtures

The SAAG project is funded through 2026. Full details on the initiative are on the City of Lethbridge website.

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