Art Collections

Beaverbrook's interest in art was grounded in an appreciation of its ability to broaden minds and influence actions. In the mid-1950's he offered to build and support an art gallery in New Brunswick, subject to certain conditions. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery opened its doors in Fredericton in 1959.

 

Included in the gallery's collection were more than 40 works of art that had been an outright gift from Beaverbrook. This collection was augmented by works acquired by a foundation that had been established by Beaverbrook to help channel his philanthropic activities. This later split into two separate units - the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation, which focuses on philanthropy in Canada and the Beaverbrook UK Foundation, whose focus is mainly in England. However both foundations are major benefactors of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

 

In 2004, the gallery claimed ownership not only of the works donated by the first Lord Beaverbrook, but also of the works loaned to it by the two foundations, which constitute a significant part of their assets.

The dispute between the Beaverbrook UK Foundation and the art gallery is in the process of being resolved through arbitration proceedings being conducted in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The dispute between the gallery and the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation is the subject of a separate legal action.

Beaverbrook Art Gallery