VICTORIA, BC.- Local philanthropist Andrew Beckerman has pledged his personal art collection valued at $750,000 and $100,000 in cash to the Art Gallery of Victoria’s Next Gallery, the expansion of the Gallery’s Moss Street home. Beckerman has challenged others in his adopted home of Victoria, British Columbia to match his generous and substantial gift.

In addition the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has received two anonymous pledges of $500,000 and $200,000 respectively.

The donations were announced today by AGGV Board Chair, Ruth Wittenberg. “The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is extremely fortunate to have a patron like Andrew Beckerman who is willing to entrust us with his financial resources as well as his beloved art collection,” said Wittenberg. “We are also incredibly grateful for the support of others in our community who have chosen to remain anonymous.”

Beckerman immigrated to Canada eleven years ago and became a Canadian citizen in 2015. Originally from New York State, he lived for many years in Berkeley California before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1991. Beckerman’s collection which includes an inheritance from his parents, Charles and Blanche numbers in the 100's of pieces with works on paper and canvas, bronze and stone sculpture, pottery from pre-Columbian to contemporary and textiles both antique and modern.

Commenting on his donation Beckerman explained, “I am glad to issue a personal $100,000 matching challenge which I hope will produce a total of $200,000and more to help build the Next Gallery. Private donations, from myself and others, some of which will be triggered by support from all levels of government will help get my private collection into the public eye for our community's enjoyment and stimulation. I encourage others interested in our artistic patrimony to consider offering their own challenge gifts.”

Like the gift from the Audain Foundation received by the AGGV in Nov. 2016 the two anonymous gifts are contingent upon the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Next Gallery receiving the necessary funding from the Province of British Columbia during the 2017 calendar year. The AGGV is currently in talks with both the federal and provincial governments.