Museum of Inuit Art facts for kids
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| Established | June 2007 |
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| Dissolved | May 29, 2016 |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Inuit art |
| Public transit access |  509 |
The Museum of Inuit Art, also known as MIA, was a special museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was found inside the Queen's Quay Terminal at the Harbourfront Centre. This museum was all about Inuit art and their amazing culture.
The museum opened in June 2007. It was created thanks to the hard work of David Harris. He used to be a teacher in Nunavut and had his own art gallery. He worked with many partners to make MIA happen.
MIA had a large space, more than 6,000 square feet, for its exhibits. It showed hundreds of pieces of Inuit art. You could see sculptures made from stone, antler, ivory, and bone. There were also ceramics, prints, and beautiful wall hangings.
The museum closed its doors on May 29, 2016. This happened because fewer people were visiting and the museum was not making enough money. There was a lot of construction work on Queens Quay West for two summers. This made it hard for streetcars to reach the museum area.
Contents
Museum Design
The space for the Museum of Inuit Art was designed by a company called gh3 inc. Their design won two important awards. These were the Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award and the Canada Interiors’ Best of Canada Design Competition Award.
The inside of the museum was made to feel very different from the busy shopping area nearby. It was like a calm, white space. This design was meant to remind visitors of the Arctic's icy landscapes. It helped people focus on the art.
Art Collection
The Museum of Inuit Art had many important artworks.
Sprott Acquisition Program
In 2008, MIA was able to get some very important art pieces. This was possible because of a generous sponsorship from Eric Sprott. This program was called the Sprott Acquisition Program. It helped the museum grow its collection.
MIA Gallery
MIA also had its own art gallery, which was about 1,800 square feet. This gallery sold original artworks made by current Inuit artists. The museum was a non-profit group. This meant that all the money from the museum and its gallery went back into the museum. It helped support cultural, educational, and art buying programs.
The sculptures, wall hangings, and fine art prints sold at the MIA Gallery came from Inuit co-operatives. These co-operatives represent Inuit artists who live and work in the North. So, buying art from the gallery directly helped these artists and their communities. The shop also sold jewelry, packing dolls, and books about Inuit art.
Museum Partnerships
MIA worked with other museums to offer special benefits.
Reciprocal Admissions
The Museum of Inuit Art had special partnerships with other museums. If you were a member of MIA, you might have been able to visit these other museums for free or at a reduced price. These partners included the Bata Shoe Museum, the Design Exchange, and the Gardiner Museum.
Affiliations
MIA was connected to several important organizations. These connections helped the museum share information and work with others. MIA was affiliated with:
See also
In Spanish: Museo de arte Inuit para niños
