2019:

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) has had to delay the construction of its expansion due to rising construction costs and funding delays.

The NEXT Gallery, originally approved by Victoria City Council in 2015, would include an additional 11,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an increase in lecture space from 80 seats to 175 seats and the installation of a cafe.

https://www.vicnews.com/news/art-gallery-of-greater-victoria-sees-delays-in-expansion-59592

The AGGV can expect a new, expanded space around the same time as the redevelopment of Ship Point, the lower Wharf Street parking lots and Ogden Point.

2020:

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is one step closer to a major expansion after Victoria city council voted in favour of a development permit this week.

The future plans for the gallery include more exhibition gallery space, classrooms, a café, a gift shop, archival storage and offices, and a multipurpose room and meeting spaces.

Jon Tupper, director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, says it's all about keeping the museum, established in 1946, relevant.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/art-gallery-victoria-expansion-1.5457045

The news you're referring to was dropped back in 2019, so naturally, I'm left wondering: is it still a hot topic? I was gearing up to check it out this spring, but I haven't stumbled upon this anywhere. Does this mean the gallery is taking a break, or are they just keeping limited hours? I need the scoop before planning my adventure.

Nancy Noble, chief ­executive and director of the Art ­Gallery of Greater Victoria, said in an interview the gallery board is awaiting city council’s approval to begin a fundraising campaign to start building a new venue.

She said a new art gallery building could be as high as six storeys, but everything will depend on rezoning and ­permitting over the next several months.

“We are very anxious to make it happen,” said Noble. “Reliance Properties and Jon Stovell have been so great to work with on this project. I think everyone agrees that a new, larger gallery to display our collections will be a great thing for the province and the city.”

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/two-block-development-on-victoria-waterfront-could-be-new-home-for-art-gallery-8561942

2019:

A generous promise to help the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) expand in its current location on Moss Street, was honoured Wednesday, as the sister of the late artist Anthony Thorn dropped off a cheque for nearly $3 million.

The donation for the AGGV’s The NEXT Gallery project was promised to the AGGV by Thorn in January of 2014, but was tied up in real-estate holdings in Regina until recently when Thorn’s sister Lyn Goldman decided it was time to sell.

“We believe art galleries should be in spaces that are welcoming to people – where they feel comfortable. So Anthony loved this place,” said Goldman. “We made a legal agreement that he left his shares in our company to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. So they’ve been my partners for the last three or four years. I made a decision last year that I would sell the building and bring Anthony’s gift to the gallery.”

Anthony Thorn, an accomplished Canadian artist best known for using precious metals to create paintings and carvings, was inspired to donate after reading a Victoria News article on the gallery’s decision to redevelop its Moss Street facility rather than move downtown.

https://www.vicnews.com/news/art-gallery-of-greater-victoria-receives-2-8m-anthony-thorn-donation-53729