Shovels will go in the ground in early 2016 for Polygon Gallery, a new public art gallery on Vancouver’s waterfront. Major funding by federal, provincial and municipal governments for a total of $7.5 million enables Presentation House Gallery to move forward in constructing a new, purpose-built facility after more than 30 years in the cramped quarters of a shared heritage building. The organization has already raised $6.5M in private donations for the facility.

Designed by renowned B.C. firm Patkau Architects, the Polygon Gallery will be Vancouver’s first new public art gallery of the 21st century. The new building in 2017 is designed to be operationally self-sustaining, and includes a gift shop and cafe, as well as exhibition and education space.

Polygon Gallery will take its name from Polygon Homes Ltd., which provided lead funding for the building in partnership with the Audain Foundation. Polygon Homes CEO Michael Audain has been a long-time advocate for the visual arts in Canada.

Established in 1976, Presentation House Gallery has developed an international reputation for innovative exhibitions featuring Canadian and international artists including Stan Douglas, Rodney Graham, Fred Herzog, Ian Wallace, Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Andy Warhol and many others. Over three decades, Presentation House Gallery has presented more than 300 exhibitions of photographic and media art, and become one of Canada’s most adventurous and highly respected public art galleries. With its new nearly 23-thousand square foot facility, the Gallery plans to expand its presentations and programming.