The Winnipeg Art Gallery is looking at how to move forward with the planned Inuit Art Centre after the Manitoba Government reduced its funding commitment to the project.
Two years ago the Selinger NDP government pledged $15 million to the project but on Tuesday, the Pallister government only pledged $10 million dollars over five years.
“It’s true, our funding model was based on a larger sum but we are committed to building the Inuit Centre,” Stephen Borys, the Winnipeg Art Gallery CEO said. “We will have discussions with our stakeholders, our supporters, the community to determine next best steps.”
Cathy Cox, the provincial heritage minister, said change in funding was based on economic impact of the project.
“We had an evidence based value for money evaluation we do and based on that we determined $10 million was the number we are providing to the Winnipeg Art Gallery,” Cox said.
She was not able to detail the funding formula when asked but said it looked at impact to the hospitality industry.
The Inuit Art Centre is pegged at $65 million. Borys said the the change in provincial funding will not impact the commitments from the city or the federal government. At this point he said it is too soon to say comment on if the project will be scaled back because of the reduction on funding.