Audain Art Museum

Audain Art Museum
Name	Audain Art Museum
Caption	Exterior of the museum in Whistler, British Columbia
Established	2016
Location	Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Type	Art museum
Director	Christopher Brayshaw
Founder	Michael Audain
Architect	Patkau Architects

Audain Art Museum The Audain Art Museum is a museum in Whistler, British Columbia that opened in 2016 to house a collection assembled by collector Michael Audain and the Audain Foundation. The museum presents a permanent collection emphasizing Canadian art, including works by Emily Carr, Bill Reid, Ralph Allen, E.J. Hughes, and Iain Baxter&, alongside exhibitions by international figures. The institution operates within the cultural landscape of British Columbia and collaborates with organizations such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

History

The museum was founded by collector Michael Audain and the Audain Foundation to create a public home for significant holdings amassed over decades, including acquisitions related to Emily Carr, Bill Reid, Lawren Harris, Emily Carr, Frances Loring, and Harry Somer. Early proposals involved discussions with the District of Whistler, the Whistler Museum and agencies including Heritage BC and the BC Arts Council. Groundbreaking followed consultations with planners from Resort Municipality of Whistler and cultural advisors connected to the Vancouver Olympics (2010). The opening program drew attendance from civic leaders in Vancouver, members of the Canadian Museums Association, curators from the Art Gallery of Ontario, and donors like representatives of the Shaw Family Foundation and the Kinsmen Foundation.

Architecture and Design

The building was designed by Patkau Architects in collaboration with engineers from McElhanney Consulting Services and landscape architects associated with PWL Partnership Landscape Architects. The museum’s design integrates coastal vernacular references from Squamish Nation communities and regional precedents including the timber structures of Gulf Islands, the modernism of Arthur Erickson, and contemporary projects by Frank Gehry. Structural systems reference practices used on projects by West Fraser Timber and employ mass timber techniques akin to those used by Leigh and Orange and John Patkau. The interior galleries use climate control standards aligned with guidelines from the Canadian Conservation Institute and engineering criteria adopted by firms such as Stantec. Site planning engaged consultants experienced with Whistler Blackcomb infrastructure and echoing sustainable precedents from the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Collections

The permanent collection emphasizes Canadian art and significant First Nations works. Major holdings include pieces by Emily Carr, whose paintings and drawings anchor the collection alongside sculpture by Bill Reid and carvings attributed to members of the Haida and Coast Salish traditions. Paintings by members of the Group of Seven such as Lawren Harris and landscapes by E.J. Hughes appear with works by Jack Shadbolt, Gerrard Keating, Takao Tanabe, and Gathie Falk. The museum also houses modern and contemporary art by Iain Baxter&, Raymond Boisjoly, Brian Jungen, Stanley Donwood, and Jon Rafman, and includes photography by Edward Burtynsky, Paul Strand, and Jeff Wall. Indigenous art collections feature artists like Robert Davidson, Susan Point, Bill Reid, Dawson Philpott, and Lynda Gammon, as well as works linked to the cultural patrimony of the Heiltsuk Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Tlingit. The collection encompasses painting, sculpture, printmaking, works on paper, carved cedar, and totemic poles, with conservation priorities informed by standards from the Canadian Conservation Institute and curatorial practice shared with the Royal Ontario Museum.

Exhibitions and Programs

Temporary exhibitions have presented surveys and monographic shows featuring artists such as Emily Carr retrospectives, contemporary installations by Brian Jungen, and media projects by Kelly Richardson. The museum stages programs including lectures, symposia, and school outreach in partnership with institutions like the University of British Columbia, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and the Simon Fraser University. Public programming has included curator talks with guests from the Vancouver Art Gallery and touring collaborations with the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Educational initiatives have aligned with curricula from the British Columbia Ministry of Education and community organizations like the Whistler Arts Council and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre. The museum’s film and performance series has featured artists and scholars associated with Documentary Organization of Canada, Vtape, and the Pacific Cinematheque.

Governance and Funding

Governance is overseen by a board appointed by the Audain Foundation with executive leadership that has included directors drawn from the Canadian museum sector, collaborating with curators and advisors linked to the Canadian Museums Association, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and the Canada Council for the Arts. Funding derives primarily from endowment and guarantees provided by the Audain Foundation, supplemented by membership revenue, ticket sales, philanthropic gifts from families such as the Shaw Family and corporate partners including regional entities like Teck Resources and service agreements with firms like BMO Financial Group. Capital campaigns involved contracting management firms experienced with cultural projects such as PCL Constructors and benefitted from philanthropic support channeled through charitable structures recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. Operational partnerships include loans and exchanges with institutions such as the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Visitor Information

The museum is located in the Whistler village area of British Columbia near transportation hubs serving the Sea-to-Sky Highway corridor and is accessible via services connected to Vancouver International Airport and regional transit providers. Visitor amenities include guided tours, a museum shop offering publications from presses like Douglas & McIntyre and Figure 1 Publishing, and accessible facilities compliant with standards from agencies similar to Accessible Canada. Hours and admission policies are posted by the institution and adjust seasonally to coordinate with events like the Whistler Film Festival and the winter sports calendar. Parking, accessibility, and visitor services align with local regulations administered by the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

Category:Museums in British Columbia