A revitalized jewel in
downtown Lethbridge.
Shaping the future of art in our region.
Where Art Meets the Park
In August 2026, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin breaks ground on a facility-wide revitalization and expansion project. In partnership with the City of Lethbridge, this milestone project expands north through a parkside addition while renovating key public elements within the Gallery’s existing footprint—creating a welcoming and renewed contemporary arts hub for residents and visitors to the region.
"We’re excited to expand and revitalize the Gallery in a way that reflects our communities’ evolving needs. This project creates a variety of new spaces to host our expanding and increasingly diverse audiences. Our vision is to create a welcoming hub centered in great art and wonderful hospitality. This project will help us grow our audiences, supporting our belief that art is for everyone."
A Generational Investment in Our Downtown Core
Great cities prioritize exceptional quality of life for their citizens. Alongside recent downtown initiatives such as Festival Square, this project is a comprehensive investment in our downtown that does far more than update the Gallery. This endeavor will result in a vibrant, safe, and welcoming hub for all to gather, supporting social cohesion, enriching lives, and connecting communities through contemporary art.
Architectural Highlights
Click cards to explore details
Parkside Addition & Café
The addition houses three flexible multiuse programming and event spaces, including a loading dock that transforms into a stage, an adjoining workshop, catering kitchen, and café.
The addition houses three flexible multiuse programming and event spaces, including a loading dock that transforms into a stage, an adjoining workshop that transforms into event and pop-up programming space, a catering kitchen, and a café. This addition offers new ways to enjoy the building, opportunities to host new gatherings that celebrate southern Alberta’s food corridor, and supports our expanding communities’ needs for arts-based programming.
The Listening Garden & Parkside Patio
Conceptualized by Kainai artist Faye HeavyShield, the project’s Public Art Consultant, alongside DIALOG Design—a site for contemplation, reflection, and public art.
Conceptualized by renowned Kainai artist Faye HeavyShield, the project’s Public Art Consultant, alongside DIALOG Design—the Listening Garden is a new exterior site offering a space for contemplation, reflection, and newly commissioned public art, while also having the ability to host gatherings and programs. A new parkside patio offers additional exterior space for gathering and events, while the new north entrance offers a seamless bridge between downtown Lethbridge, the Gallery, and Galt Gardens.
Class A Exhibition Space & Re-organized Public Access
Upgrades the Lower Gallery to Class A standards for international loans, while relocating reception, Shop at SAAG, and Art Book Library.
Exhibitions are at the core of the Gallery’s program, and we are pleased to be able to upgrade the Lower Gallery into Class A exhibition space. This upgraded Gallery environment will support access to a broader range of artwork loans and touring exhibitions. This project also relocates our reception desk, Shop at SAAG, and Art Book Library to improve visitor flow and access.
Historical Lineage & Project Timeline
Tap any milestone below to open history details.
Public Library Opens
SAAG Founded
Needs Assessment & CIP Commitment
Architect Team Awarded
Design Revealed & Strategic Pause
Successful Fundraising
Project Resumes
Groundbreaking (Aug 2026)
The Reveal (2028)
North-End Expansion
Exterior Renderings
Explore the planned designs for our expanded facility in the heart of downtown Lethbridge.
The Funding
A collaborative investment.
Leveraging the City of Lethbridge's commitment of provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding through the Capital Improvement Program, we were able to secure investment from additional provincial and federal grants to make this important project possible, raising a total of $7.714M to date.
Provincial funds allocated via City of Lethbridge through their Capital Improvement Program
Alberta Culture, Government of Alberta
Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada
Inside the Vision
Interior Renderings
Take a look inside our expanded facility, located in Galt Gardens.
Our program is hitting the road.
Our home in Galt Gardens will be completely closed to the public and staff for 18 to 24 months to ensure an efficient, safe construction process. However, we remain fully operational, programming at three distinct temporary spaces across the city.
Gallery & Office
SAAG ACADIA
616 3 Ave S
Opens SeptAncillary Space
SAAG EXPRESS
1409 Mayor Magrath Dr S
Co-Presented at LTCC
SAAG x EXCITE
101 Exhibition Way S
Admission by-donation
We are delighted to offer admission by-donation at our offsite programs for the duration of construction. We want these temporary hubs to be accessible and ensure as many people as possible can enjoy our program and connect with the Gallery.
We encourage you to contribute whatever amount feels appropriate and meaningful to you. For your convenience, SAAG ACADIA and SAAG EXPRESS feature secure, touchless "TipTap" donation stations—allowing you to easily support the gallery in quick $5 denominations with a simple tap.
Cash and cheque donations may be made at SAAG ACADIA, and donations are always welcomed online, with the added benefit of immediate tax receipting options! To donate online, visit our CanadaHelps page here.
Transparency Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a category below to explore the official project details.
This building is owned by the City of Lethbridge, and the City has collaborated with the Gallery alongside a team led by DIALOG Design to create a shared vision for this vital upgrade to cultural infrastructure and ensure this building meets community needs now and well into the future.
This project will result in a vibrant, welcoming centre for all to gather, learn, connect, and create—enriching our communities and driving visitation to downtown Lethbridge.
The planned expansion and overall revitalization project utilizes design strategies that complement the existing building, and preserves the essence of the 1922 structure while adding thoughtful, complementary contemporary spaces.
- Improved Gallery: an upgraded Lower Gallery environment to meet Class A gallery standards.
- Catering & Cafe: a welcoming food services area, including a third-party operated cafe and catering kitchen.
- Parkside Connection: an inviting park-side Gallery entrance and patio that connects visitors directly to surrounding park spaces.
- Listening Garden: a space for gathering, relaxation, reflection and public art.
- Multipurpose Design: a mixed-use workshop for exhibition-building, programs and events that looks onto a loading dock that moonlights as a stage during special events.
Together, these improvements will expand programming opportunities, enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the Gallery’s role as a cultural hub in downtown Lethbridge.
- Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) - 71.9%. The MSI helps support local infrastructure priorities and build strong, safe and resilient communities. Allocated via the City of Lethbridge.
- Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) - 13.0%. The CFEP provides support to upgrade, expand, purchase or build public-use community facilities.
- Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) - 6.5%. The CCSF supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture and creative innovation.
- Municipal Tax Base - 6.1%. Direct municipal contribution allocated via the City of Lethbridge.
- Other Project Supporters - 2.5%. Additional community and partner contributions.
- SAAG ACADIA (Office & Gallery): 616 3 Ave S (Opening September 19, 2026)
- SAAG EXPRESS (Office & Ancillary Space): 1409 Mayor Magrath Dr S
- SAAG x EXCITE (Co-Presented at LTCC): 101 Exhibition Way S
Please note that select workshops may have material fees to cover higher program costs. As always, this will be clearly indicated in the workshop description when registering.
You are also welcome to make a donation via cash, cheque, credit, or debit card for an amount of your choosing by speaking with our Visitor Services Coordinator at SAAG ACADIA. Tax receipts can be issued for donations exceeding $20. Please note that SAAG EXPRESS is a cashless venue.
Your support across all programs through donations, membership, and volunteering is welcomed and appreciated! Thank you!
Donating to the Gallery during this time of renewal is more important than ever before! As we move into our temporary hubs, we are also temporarily losing some of our usual funding sources, such as full-scale Shop at SAAG sales and regular admission fees. Your support is what bridges the gap and keeps our core exhibitions and community programs running strong while we revitalize and expand our home.
For urgent construction-related inquiries, please call 311.
Subscribe to our e-Newsletter for general updates from the Gallery, including key capital project updates delivered directly to your inbox.
Visit the City of Lethbridge's Get Involved Lethbridge portal and search ‘Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG) Modernization Project’.
Support the Gallery
Ways to Get Involved
Grants received for this project are restricted to capital project costs and do not fund our ongoing operations over the course of construction. Your donations and memberships are what keep the exhibitions and our community programs running during this transition.
Become a Member
Join our community of art lovers and stay connected to our ongoing programming.
Learn MoreThe Centennial Club
Become a monthly donor! Monthly giving provides reliable support for operations.
Join The ClubMake a Donation
Make a one-time gift to support our current programming and operations.
WAYS TO GIVE