Ipsos
The former U.S. Embassy, at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa, has been vacant since 1998. Located across from Parliament Hill in the heart of the nation’s capital, this building is an architectural gem, in a unique location, with a special history.
A new Ipsos survey for Friends of a National Portrait Gallery recently asked Canadians for their thoughts on possible future uses for 100 Wellington. The three options presented were:
- A Canada House: a venue to bring all of Canada to the nation's capital, giving a taste of the country's diversity and achievements and showcasing the best of the provinces and territories from coast to coast to coast.
- A Portrait Gallery: a venue that mirrors the history, diversity and achievements of Canada primarily through celebrating the contributions of individual Canadians from the past and present, from all provinces and territories from coast to coast to coast.
- An Indigenous Cultural Centre: a use to be determined in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to showcase culture, achievements and the prominent role of Indigenous people in the history and future of Canada.
At first glance, two in three Canadians (65%) said they liked the idea of a Canada House, rating their appreciation a 4 or 5 out of 5 (the Canada House received an average score of 3.9/5). Half (51%) said they liked the idea of a Portrait Gallery, earning this option an average score of 3.5 out of 5. Lastly, four in ten (41%) said they liked the possibility of turning 100 Wellington into an Indigenous Cultural Centre, which received an average of 3.2 out of 5 for likeability.
While initial impressions appear to favour using the former embassy as the site for a Canada House, the survey reveals that Canadians – of all ages -- are just as open to a Portrait Gallery once they learn the advantages it can bring. Indeed, the survey found that:
- Nearly half of Canadians (48%) like the idea of a national portrait gallery more, knowing that the basis for a quality national collection already exists, thanks to the largely unseen collection held by Library and Archives Canada. About four in ten (41%) said they liked the idea about the same knowing this information, while just 11% said they liked it less.
- More than four ten Canadians (46%) said they liked the portrait gallery idea more, knowing that it would showcase the diversity that makes up our culture and identity. Another four in ten (42%) liked it about the same as before, while 12% said they liked it less as a result.
- Equally as persuasive was knowing that once the gallery is established, it would hold exhibitions with continuously changing offerings, including those loaned from private or public collections. More than four in ten (46%) liked the national portrait gallery idea more on knowing this. A further four in ten (42%) said their opinion of the idea hadn’t changed on knowing this, while one in ten (12%) liked it less.
- Attendance was another factor that swung opinion for many: 45% said they like the idea of a portrait gallery more, knowing that portrait galleries in other capitals like London and Washington draw huge attendance, including young people. However, just as many (45%) were unmoved by this argument, and another one in ten (10%) said it make them like the idea less.
- Four in ten Canadians (41%) liked the idea of using 100 Wellington as a portrait gallery more on thinking about modern portrait galleries as high tech, interactive and innovative, combining art and history in unique and dynamic ways that help us make connections, understand ourselves and celebrate the country we continue to create. More than four in ten (46%) were left indifferent by this consideration, while 14% said it made them like the idea less. <more>
- Source: IPSOS Game Changers