Toronto’s Museum of Inuit Art set to close

Toronto’s museum of Inuit art has operated since 2007 as the only public institution devoted to Inuit art. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Toronto’s Museum of Inuit Art announced April 18 that the centre will close its doors at the end of May due to funding shortfalls.

The MIA, located along the city’s Queen’s Quay Terminal, first opened its doors in 2007. Its small boutique space amassed some 1,000 pieces of art during that time, much of these works on loan, and hosted exhibitions of work by artists like the late Kananginak Pootoogook and Abraham Anghik Ruben.

But the museum’s board of directors had to make the difficult decision last month to close the centre, saying current levels of funding and support were no long sustainable.

The museum is set to close May 30.

“Although this announcement comes as a disappointment to those who have dedicated so much of themselves into producing content for the public, I have every confidence that the mission and mandate of the museum will continue on through the fantastic partners and other arts and cultural organizations we have had the pleasure of working with,” said Brittany Hollis, the MIA’s manager of operations, in an April 18 release.

Following its closure, museum staff will be working to find a home for its permanent collection, with a goal of keeping the art in the public domain.

Located in a complex along Toronto’s historic waterfront, the MIA was a natural draw for tourists visiting the area, and the museum sometimes offered free admission on weekends to attract new visitors.

Over the years, some of the MIA’s more notable exhibitions included Kananginak Pootoogook: Celebrating Five Decades of Artistic Achievement in spring 2010, just months before the artist died.

The MIA also featured a collection of works from Rankin Inlet’s Matchbox Gallery, and the more recent Beyond Aurora Borealis exhibit featuring the works of Abraham Anghik Ruben, which remains on display until the centre’s closure.

In additional to its regular programming, the MIA also hosted demonstrations from Inuit artists, like printmaking with Pangnirtung’s Noah Maniapik, carving with Cape Dorset’s Jaco Ishulutaq and throatsinging with Iqaluit’s Sylvia Cloutier.

“We thank everyone that allowed us to pursue this important mandate,” said the chair of MIA’s board of directors, Gordon Fox.

“Although saddened by the events that have overtaken us we are extremely proud of our accomplishments.”