Glenbow announces $1.5 million gift to Glenbow Reimagined Campaign from the Michelle O'Reilly Foundation

CALGARY, Alberta, May 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Glenbow is thrilled to announce a $1.5 million donation from the Michelle O'Reilly Foundation to the Glenbow Reimagined Campaign, the multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign in support of the museum's ongoing renovation.

The transformative renovation includes a new fifth floor rooftop terrace, an expansive yet intimate outdoor gathering space overlooking the heart of downtown Calgary. In recognition of this generous gift, a portion of the terrace will be named in honour of the Michelle O'Reilly Foundation.

The Michelle O'Reilly Foundation, named after the late Michelle O'Reilly, is focused on improving the quality of life in Calgary by supporting arts and culture, education and community empowerment. The Foundation's support of the Glenbow Reimagined Campaign will further the museum mission's of becoming a more relevant and accessible place for the community.

"Glenbow is deeply grateful to the Michelle O'Reilly Foundation and the O'Reilly family," said Nicholas R. Bell, President and CEO, Glenbow. "This significant donation will help turn Glenbow into a people-centered place that celebrates Calgary's vibrancy. The new fifth floor terrace is an excellent representation of this, creating a more diverse museum experience for all visitors."

"We always loved visiting Glenbow as a family and have many fond memories from time spent at the museum," said Shannon O'Reilly, daughter of Michelle O'Reilly. "Supporting Glenbow's transformation and the future of arts and culture in our city is the perfect way to honour Michelle's legacy. We are honoured that the creative, fun and unique terrace space will exist in our family's name and serve as a gathering place for generations to come."

Thanks to the generous support of the Michelle O'Reilly Foundation and other major donors including all levels of government, Shaw Family Foundation and individual museum supporters, Glenbow has raised $152 million to date. However, the future of Glenbow still requires additional community support to enhance its facility, programming, exhibitions, activities and events for many years to come. To learn how you can support the Glenbow Reimagined Campaign, please visit www.glenbow.org.

About Glenbow

Founded in 1966 as an independent, non-profit museum, archive and gallery, Glenbow Museum cares for an extraordinary collection of more than 250,000 works of art and historical objects ? from Canada and cultures around the world ? on behalf of the people of Alberta. Glenbow Reimagined is a project to renovate the museum's nearly 50-year-old building and provide a vibrant, thriving cultural resource in the heart of Calgary. Glenbow is committed to expanding the accessibility and impact of arts and culture, with a mission to activate art, objects, and ideas so everyone who experiences Glenbow leaves with something to share.

Media Contact

Shauna MacDonald
Brookline Public Relations, Inc.
C: 403-585-4570
E: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ff3e4eb-dbdf-40ea-92bd-ff25de4399ee