National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec: work on Espace Riopelle now launched

It was with great fanfare that the Espace Riopelle project was officially launched on Saturday at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ). The pavilion dedicated to the work of the artist Jean Paul Riopelle should finally see the light of day in 2026.

Several politicians and personalities from the arts community were also gathered for the symbolic groundbreaking of this $84 million project which will house the largest public collection of works by Jean Paul Riopelle in the world.

“Our government is proud to support this major project, a true legacy for the community,” said the Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe.

This was a relief for many since the increase in costs, which have almost doubled since the initial announcement in 2021, and the delays came close to derailing the important project which will now be 58% funded. by public funds.

“It was close, but as there were people who made a difference, we are now able to start construction and in two years we will be able to be proud to show the whole world that there is something great that is happening. done here through the celebration of an immense painter like Riopelle,” commented the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand.

In total, $44 million came from the government of Quebec, $25 million from the Jean Paul Riopelle foundation, $10 million from the MNBAQ foundation as well as $5 million from the City of Quebec.

A significant donation

If everything is possible, it is thanks in particular to a generous contribution from the president and co-founder of the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation, Michael J. Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa, who donated several dozen works by the Quebec painter as well as $10 million for the construction of the new pavilion.

“Through this great legacy of the Riopelle centenary celebrations, we honor the memory of one of the most illustrious artists of all time, a formidable cultural hero. Let us remember that it is on this same site that Riopelle aspired, as early as the 1980s, to establish his foundation,” declared Michael J. Audain.

“By dedicating this exceptional setting to him, we are creating a real springboard which will contribute to the influence, here and internationally, not only of Riopelle’s work, but of Quebec and Canadian art,” he said. he added.

Significant investments

Among the public figures present, many took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of investing massively in the arts, but in culture as a whole.

“If there is something that characterizes Quebec, it is its cultural identity. That we have such strong cultural places that can bear witness to this richness is unavoidable,” commented Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor.

The latter was present on the sidelines of the National Ball for the benefit of the MNBAQ Museum Foundation, which took place a little later and of which he was the honorary president. In fact, $335,000 was raised for the occasion.