WAG-Qaumajuq Receives $100,000 Boost from the City of Winnipeg for Elevator Project

New passenger and freight elevators supported by five city councillors and Mayor Gillingham

Winnipeg, Manitoba, December 3, 2025: The City of Winnipeg is providing $102,500 in funding for critical elevator replacements in the 1971 Winnipeg Art Gallery building. Contributions from City Councillors Brian Mayes, Markus Chambers, Ross Eadie, Devi Sharma, and Emma Durand-Wood, along with Mayor Scott Gillingham, will help ensure one of Canada’s oldest civic art galleries remains fully accessible for years to come.

Earlier this fall, construction began at WAG-Qaumajuq to replace the original passenger and freight elevators. The $945,000 project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.

WAG-Qaumajuq will remain open and accessible during this time, with elevators on the Qaumajuq side of the Gallery continuing to serve visitors.

Quick Facts:

• The critical elevator replacement project for the iconic 1971 WAG building has received a significant boost thanks to the City of Winnipeg with its $102,500 contribution from Councilors Brian Mayes, Markus Chambers, Ross Eadie, Devi Sharma, and Emma Durand-Wood, along with Mayor Scott Gillingham. This adds to Mayor Gillingham’s generous gift of $20,000 earlier this year.
• The WAG’s two passenger elevators and a freight elevator must be fully replaced. Construction has begun on new elevators for the original WAG building; the project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026.
• Visitors with limited mobility and families with small children rely on these passenger elevators to access the upper levels of WAG-Qaumajuq.
• The elevators also transport thousands of students annually to the rooftop studios for art classes.
• The freight elevator is used to move artworks of all sizes, and deliver some of Winnipeg’s most inspiring events and programs. The installation of many exhibitions and community favourites like Art in Bloom and CRAFTED would not be possible without the freight elevator.
• Elevators in the Qaumajuq wing will continue to provide access to all levels of WAG-Qaumajuq while construction is underway.

Quotes:

“I’m pleased to join my Council colleagues in supporting this important elevator renewal project. These upgrades will help the Gallery continue welcoming families, students, artists, and visitors from around the world. I want to thank the WAG-Qaumajuq team for their ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, accessible space for all.”

— Mayor Scott Gillingham

“We have been talking about the elevator project for years at the WAG Board , so I am delighted Councillors and the mayor worked together to put more than $100,000 towards this long-needed upgrade.”

— Brian Mayes, City Councillor, St. Vital, Member of WAG Board of Governors

“We are deeply grateful to the City of Winnipeg for this significant support for critical elevator upgrades. The Gallery was established in 1912 by a group of citizens and businesses who wanted Winnipeg to be a world-class city and with this support we can literally move to the next level!  A big thank you to the City of Winnipeg, Mayor Gillingham, and all the contributing councillors, especially Councillor Mayes for his leadership on the WAG Board of Governors and his commitment to the public accessibility through this important initiative.”

— Bill Elliott, Deputy Director & CFO, WAG-Qaumajuq

Associated Links

Donate to WAG-Qaumajuq

Support

We thank the City of Winnipeg, Mayor Scott Gillingham, and City Councillors Brian Mayes, Markus Chambers, Ross Eadie, Devi Sharma, Emma Durand-Wood, as well as the 250 community members and organizations who have also supported this initiative.

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

About Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq
The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art as a catalyst for change. The Gallery features an impressive collection of nearly 30,000 artworks spanning centuries, cultures, and media, including the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. Each piece has its own story to tell. Sharing these stories with the world is at the core of WAG-Qaumajuq. This is an engaging, accessible space where visitors can experience art and learning in new ways. Principles of equity, care, trust, and responsibility guide the institution towards meaningful impact and transformation. To learn more, visit wag.ca.

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