2017 Annual Report 1 “Just imagine the experiences we’re going to have in this building: the encounters by the fireplace in the atrium, the great summer days on this incredible deck that’s facing the river, the awe-inspiring moments perched out on the cantilever like you’re hanging over the river, the performances, the art installations, the debates, the weddings, the civic ceremonies. This is where the next stories of the chapter of our city will unfold.” – Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark 2 Contents 2 President’s Message & Board of Directors 3 Executive Director & CEO Message 6-7 Development 8-9 Curatorial 12-13 Live Programs 14-17 Collection 18-21 Learning & Engagement 22-23 Communications & Guest Experience 24-25 Volunteers 26-29 Staff 30-31 Support 32 Dining & Event Spaces 33 Financial Statements Photos (this page and opposite): Dave Stobbe. This project is made possible thanks to contributions from: We are also grateful for program support from: 1 President’s Message For years, the board and staff at Remai Modern have worked toward one major milestone: the opening of a phenomenal new art museum. In October we invited the public to join us in celebration as we reached a goal many years in the making. It was a thrill to shift the conversation from the building construction to the incredible architecture, artwork and Board of Directors programs Remai Modern has to offer. 2017 This is a historic moment for Saskatoon and signals the beginning of a new era of arts and culture in the Alain Gaucher, Q.C. city. Having visited renowned art cities like Florence, I know cultural Chair & President of the Board destinations aren’t built overnight but there is great momentum in the city around Remai Modern. This is a landmark that will lead to Darrell Bell big growth and opportunity in the coming years and decades. Denise Belman Remai Modern is very privileged to have the support of Ellen Remai. In addition to her staggering generosity, she also has unique vision Trent Bester that led to the creation of a world-class art museum on the Prairies. Treasurer I am overwhelmed by the response from the public. In a few short Councillor Cynthia Block months, tens of thousands of people have demonstrated their support for Remai Modern, from the sold-out opening weekend to the Karen Chad astounding number of memberships sold. Memberships have already surpassed our most optimistic five-year business plan projection! Fatima Coovadia Though the grand opening was the highlight of the year, the first Danielle Favreau nine months of 2017 were also filled with important milestones. (until March 2017 AGM) The building was handed over to the City of Saskatoon in late March. After that, construction was completed on the Feature Gallery Brenda Green and a full-service kitchen was installed. The building was a flurry (until November 2017) of activity right up until the opening ceremony on the morning of October 21, as everyone worked to perfect every last detail. Carolyn Knafelc (until March 2017 AGM) Many thanks are owed to the board members, whose extraordinary commitment ensured governance models and Councillor Mairin Loewen procedures were put in place for the successful functioning of Remai Modern. I especially want to thank outgoing board Ken Smith members Brenda Green, Darrell Bell and Keitha McClocklin (until March 2017 AGM) for their significant contributions to the organization. Keitha McClocklin I’d also like to acknowledge the City of Saskatoon for its important contributions to building construction and gallery operations. Garnet McElree Lastly, I want to commend the outstanding efforts of Executive Alison Norlen Director & CEO Gregory Burke and the Remai Modern staff for their tireless work planning the transition from the Mendel Art Gallery to Grant Stoneham Remai Modern and for bringing this spectacular new space to life. Dion Tootoosis I’m sad my term as Chair and board member is coming to a close, but I am bolstered by the fact that the institution I Scott Verity leave is strong and ambitious. I look forward to watching Vice-Chair as Remai Modern continues to succeed and grow. Ellen Remai Alain Gaucher, Q.C. Honorary Chair Chair & President of the Board 2 Executive Director & CEO Message The team at Remai Modern With so much to do, there was little inception in 2009. I’d also like has been working behind-the- time to get excited. During opening to thank outgoing members scenes for years to bring a new, weekend, I was finally able to Brenda Green and Darrell Bell. world-class art museum to life. enjoy that feeling. I appreciated In 2017, we were finally able the many congratulations offered Many thanks also go to our to share this incredible space, by visitors after four hectic years extraordinary donors, including and its diverse and boundary- of preparation. We created Remai our visionary lead patron Ellen pushing artworks, with Saskatoon, Modern for people to enjoy. To Remai. Her contribution is not Canada and the world. have thousands show up with only astonishing, but historically so much enthusiasm, positivity significant to visual art in Canada. On October 21, Remai Modern and support justified the effort. opened its doors, welcoming I’m also grateful for the work 9,000 people in its opening Praise for and interest in Remai of our fundraising cabinet, weekend alone. It was a moving Modern has been far-reaching, led by Herb McFaull. experience to finally see the with local and international museum animated with excitement, publications dedicating ample The City of Saskatoon played a curiosity and lively conversation. space to the opening and crucial role in Remai Modern’s subsequent events at the museum. opening year. I’d like to particularly It was a brilliant cap to a year that acknowledge the tremendous included more than nine months If the opening itself weren’t work of the operational readiness of intense preparation. A project wonderful enough, Ellen Remai’s team, led by Mike Khouri. this scale requires countless continued generosity to Remai hands and has many moving Modern put a massive exclamation Lastly, I want to thank Remai parts. The permanent collection point on the celebration. Her Modern’s staff. It was remarkable of nearly 8,000 works needed to contribution of another $25 to watch our team come be carefully packed and moved million for acquisitions and a together in 2017 as we worked to its new home. Staff, equipment, $25 million matching donation toward the grand opening. offices and the library also made brought her total gift to Remai Since opening, it’s been even the move to the new space. Remai Modern to $103 million. more fulfilling to build on the Modern staff moved into the exciting possibilities this space museum in late May and began The sold-out opening weekend and these people can create. unpacking, setting up, installing was only the beginning. The and preparing a new museum. response to our many programs I feel a great deal of pride as I since that time has been reflect on 2017, but the hard work Our inaugural exhibition Field exhilarating. To date, we have has only just begun. Remai Modern Guide featured dozens of artists more than 7,500 members, far strives to push the boundaries from at home and around the exceeding our expectations. of what a museum can do as we world, with works of different Our volunteer program has also program and install exhibitions, sizes and mediums. With prompted strong support, with plan events, book tour groups works on view throughout the more than 1,000 hours contributed and find new ways to reach building, the installation was in the first two months alone. audiences at home and abroad. a complex affair that required specialized support in addition Hundreds of people helped Remai Thank you to all who have visited to the Remai Modern team. Modern achieve its goals in this and supported Remai Modern important year. I’d like to express in this exciting first year. In addition to readying the my immense gratitude to our museum, our team continued its board. It takes countless hours and Gregory Burke off-site community programming phenomenal dedication to serve. Executive Director & CEO and helped build excitement for I’d especially like to acknowledge the grand opening. Thanks to the the considerable contribution dedication of everyone involved, of outgoing Board Chair Alain Remai Modern opened six weeks Gaucher. It’s been absolutely ahead of our projected timeline. I wonderful to work with him since am extremely thankful to everyone he joined the board in 2014. involved for their tireless effort in I also want to recognize the making Remai Modern a reality. supreme commitment of outgoing treasurer Keitha McClocklin, who was on the board since its 3 Photo: Studio D. 4 University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff leads a Viewpoints talk at Remai Modern in December. Photo: Studio D. “…it is refreshing to have a building devoted to art that doesn’t overshadow its content or location, yet it still makes a remarkable statement.” – Azure Magazine, which named Remai Modern the best art gallery of 2017 Visitors take in every detail during Remai Modern’s opening weekend (this page and opposite top). Photo: Studio D. 5 Development Remai Modern opened its doors in October and we The Making Our House a Home appeal continues cannot overstate the critical role our donors, funders to seek financial support for a wide range of needs and sponsors played in getting us to that moment. at the museum that enhance the visitor experience. Their vision, commitment and generous support not The volunteer fundraising cabinet worked tirelessly only helped ensure that the museum’s capital needs on the appeal and other fundraising initiatives were met, but also made funding available to launch in 2017.