The Reach Gallery Museum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abbotsford, British Columbia
V2T 0B3
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| Established | 2008 |
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| Location | 32388 Veterans Way Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 0B3 |
| Coordinates | 49°03′10″N 122°19′38″W / 49.0528°N 122.3273°W |
| Type | Encyclopedic, Art museum |
| Director | Laura C Schneider |
| Website | www |
The Reach Gallery Museum is a public art gallery and museum located in Abbotsford, British Columbia. It exhibits artwork from across Canada and around the world. The Reach is also the regional archival repository and houses a significant collection of material culture from the Abbotsford region.
The entire structure is a 20,000 square foot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building with 6,100 square feet of exhibition space. In addition to the Great Hall and two community exhibition spaces, The Reach has a multi-purpose studio for innovative arts and heritage programming, two climate controlled storage areas, and a flexible, multi-purpose public programming space.[1]
The gallery is located at 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia. It is part of the municipal complex that includes City Hall.
History
Abbotsford City Council, with the support of the majority of its citizens, believed the municipality would benefit from a dedicated, professional arts and culture facility. In December 2005 the City established the Abbotsford Museum and Art Gallery Steering Committee in order to explore community aspirations for the planned centre.
From the outset, community stakeholders voiced their desire for a unique design. Draft plans were developed and public information sessions and open houses in 2006 and early 2007 invited public input on these plans. Construction, undertaken by PCL Constructors Inc. began shortly after that in June 2007 and the building was officially opened on September 22 of 2008 with a ceremony presided over by then mayor George F. Ferguson.[1] The finished building had cost approximately $10.5 million, original estimates stating the project was about $345,000 under budget.[1]
