Museum of Inuit Art

Museum of Inuit Art
Location of the gallery in Toronto
Established June 2007 (2007-06)
Dissolved May 29, 2016 (2016-05-29)
Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates 43°38′20″N 79°22′50″W / 43.63889°N 79.38056°W / 43.63889; -79.38056
Type Inuit art
Director David Harris
Public transit access  509 
Website www.miamuseum.ca

The Museum of Inuit Art, also known as MIA, was a museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada located within the Queen's Quay Terminal at the Harbourfront Centre. It was devoted exclusively to Inuit art and culture.

The museum closed on May 29, 2016. This followed a decline in visitors and revenue following two summers of construction activity along Queens Quay West, which caused the temporary closure of streetcar access to the area of the museum.[1][2]

Officially opened in June 2007, the museum existed due to the efforts of David Harris — a former teacher in Nunavut and founder of The Harris Inuit Gallery, a respected commercial gallery for Inuit art — and a group of dedicated partners.

MIA occupied more than 6,000 square feet (560 m2) of exhibition space and was home to hundreds of pieces of Inuit art ranging from sculptures carved from stone, antler, ivory and bone to ceramics, prints and wall hangings.

Architecture

The MIA space was designed by gh3 inc. and has won two design awards: the Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award, and the Canada Interiors’ Best of Canada Design Competition Award.[3] “The interior of the museum was designed to remove visitors from the commercial clutter of the adjacent downtown shopping arcade and transport them to a more rarefied environment for viewing art — a neutral white shell evoking the iconic landscape forms of the arctic ice.”[4]

Collection

Sprott

MIA acquired significant works through the generous sponsorship of Eric Sprott and the Sprott Acquisition Program in 2008.

MIA owned and operated a 1,800 sq ft (170 m2) gallery featuring collector quality, original works of art created by contemporary Inuit artists. As a non-profit institution, all proceeds from the Museum of Inuit Art and the Museum of Inuit Art Gallery support cultural, educational and acquisition programs at the museum.

The sculptures, wall hangings, and original fine art prints on sale at MIA Gallery and Graphics Gallery were acquired from the various Inuit co-operatives that represent Inuit artists working in the North. As such, all proceeds from the sale of art at the gallery directly supported the work of contemporary Inuit artists and their communities. The shop also carried jewellery, packing dolls, and books on Inuit art.

Reciprocal partnerships

MIA was a reciprocal admissions partner with the Bata Shoe Museum, Design Exchange, and the Gardiner Museum.

Affiliations

MIA is affiliated with: CMA, CHIN, and Virtual Museum of Canada.

Notes

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)National News 7 August 2012, Donna Smith "Justin Bieber’s ‘Free Gas’ Comment Prompts Museum to Extend Invite" http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2012/08/07/justin-biebers-free-gas-comment-prompts-museum-to-extend-invite/

CBC 3 August 2012, "Justin Bieber Chided by Aboriginal Group for Free Gas Comment" http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/08/03/justin-bieber-indian-inuit-rolling-stone-reaction.html

National Post 3 August 2012, Allison Cross "Justin Bieber Gets a Lesson in Native History After Singer's 'Free Gas' Remarks" http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08/03/group-offers-justin-bieber-a-lesson-in-native-history-after-singers-free-gas-remarks/

Indian Country Today Media Network31 July 2012, "Take That, Justin Bieber! Museum Offers Free Admission, Not Free Gas" http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/07/31/take-that-justin-bieber-museum-offers-free-admission-not-free-gas-126825

Metro Morning 7 August 2012, Jane Hawtin, "Free Gas for Justin Bieber?" http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2012/08/07/free-gas-for-justin-bieber/

References

  1. ↑ "'Small but mighty' Canadian Museum of Inuit Art closing its doors". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Museum of Inuit Art". 29 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  3. ↑ Ontario Association of Architects Announces Awards, DDI Magazine, April 18, 2008.
  4. ↑ Craig Moy, Bone Up On Inuit Art, Where Toronto, April 2008.
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