Calgary Glenbow Museum
The Glenbow Museum houses over 50 years of Western Canada’s art, culture, and history. The Museum’s galleries and exhibits range from the history of Canada”s First Peoples to modern contemporary artists and their latest works. There is something for everyone: art lovers, history buffs, and pop culture enthusiasts. The Museum is also home to the most extensive collection of non-governmental Archives and is a research center for many historians, writers, the media, and genealogists. The Glenbow Library contains over 100,000 books, maps, newspapers, and magazines, all under an umbrella of Western Canadian history.
The Glenbow Motto is “We believe art is for everyone”, and there is no shortage of art to be found at the Museum. Over 33,000 works of art are housed at the Glenbow. Travel back in time to visit early fur traders, investigate the Northwest Mounted Police, learn about the oil industry’s development, and experience the Metis uprising under Luis Riel.
The Museum opened in 1966 and was born out of a five million dollar donation from Eric Harvie, who gifted his vast historical collection to the people of Alberta. The Museum is located in the heart of Calgary next to the iconic Calgary Tower.
What is in the Glenbow’s Collection? Well, only the largest collection of Public art in Western Canada! Canadian artisans create approximately two-thirds of the artwork; however, international art is also exhibited. The Glenbow primarily focuses on highlighting Western Canadian artisans and culture.
The Museum’s collection is extensive with historical, modern, and contemporary art. Mixed media include paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, and photography. The Museum is famous for housing the largest collection of Indigenous Art, representing cultures, history, and traditions from several different Indigenous Peoples such as the Cree, the Metis, Tsuu T’ina, Inuit, the Dene, The Iriquious, and more. These exhibits show the varied cultural diversity throughout Western Canada from Calgary to the Arctic, enlightening visitors on the earliest settlers and how important they were in helping shape Canada.
Art from the 19th century to the present is exhibited through collections of landscape paintings, prints from such artists as Walter J. Phillips, printmaker Sybil Andrews, Tom Thomson, and Emily Carr, just to name a few. Also, wildlife, Inuit, First Nations, and American illustration art broaden the collection.
Canadian Artist Joe Fafard generously donated his latest work of art to the Museum – “Energy Steeple,” a six-foot-high bronze sculpture. The sculpture is a “mysterious” signature piece added to the main floor gallery for all to see! For antique lovers, there is a collection of decorative arts dating back to the mid-1800s to the present containing items such as silverware, glassware, furniture, and much more.
Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta is a large permanent exhibit telling the history of Alberta from 48 individuals or “mavericks.” This collection also holds objects from the historic Calgary Stampede.
Interestingly, it also houses several items from Franklin’s lost expedition.
How and where did The Canadian Mounted Police come from? Well, the Museum has a vast collection of history and artifacts that tell that very story. There is a permanent exhibit called “Warriors: A Global Journey Through Five Centuries,” highlighting the history of both the Canadian Military and the Mounted Police.
Curious about Canadian Military warfare? The “Famous People and Battles section is an excellent place to start. History buffs can delve into an extensive collection of Canadian military history with loads of artifacts, including a comprehensive weapons and firearms exhibit.
Does the word “treasure” have you looking for adventure? Treasures of the Mineral World exhibition just might what you seek. This permanent exhibit showcases a plethora of precious and semi-precious stones from around the world. It highlights stones mainly found in Western Canada.
Community is what makes the Glenbow, and they offer many programs that serve the community. A newer addition is virtual tours, which offer both viewing and learning about art, history, and the exhibits. School programs introduce children to art and all its different forms. The Museum runs varied programs from kindergarten to grade 12.
The Discovery Room is a gathering place hosting dynamic interactive activities for guests of all ages. On one day, visitors may produce their caricature, and on another, they may be taught The Blackfoot Language from an authentic Blackfoot Syllabics and instructor.
Crowds have enjoyed the Glenbow Museum for over 50 years, and now a new project is underway. “The Glenbow Reimagined” is an initiative to renovate the Museum’s interior and exterior completely.” Positivity, openness, and community is the goal of the newly imagined space.” The Museum has invited residents to submit any ideas or art that shows their visions of the new Glenbow.
Whether you are researching family history, inquiring about what books were used in a one-room schoolhouse, curious who was in the Boer War, looking for a recipe in an old prairie cookbook, or trying to identify an inherited gem, chances are the answers may all be found in one central location – the Glenbow Museum.
Check out the Studio Bell National Music Centre which is in Calgary AB too.
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