OTTAWA.- The Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Canada has instructed the Museum staff to undertake a consultation with the photographic community across Canada on the long-term future of its affiliate the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography.

The Board approved in March 2009 the permanent move of the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP) to the main Gallery facility situated at 380 Sussex Drive from its leased facility at 1 Rideau Canal.

“The Gallery decided that the CMCP should not return to its sub-grade leased space for environmental reasons” said NGC Director, Marc Mayer. “Following numerous delays in the renovation project, the Gallery’s management felt that the facility could no longer ensure the adequate protection of the CMCP’s important collections from water damage. Understanding the needs of the public and of the artistic community is very important to us. Therefore, we will undertake a consultation process to help determine the best way forward," he concluded.

In the meantime, the CMCP staff, collections and program will remain comfortably housed at the National Gallery of Canada.