A decade ago, skeptics questioned whether an art museum could thrive in the ski resort town of Whistler. Today, the Audain Art Museum stands as a celebrated international cultural destination, poised to mark its 10th anniversary with a series of special events. The museum's success has even surprised its founders, philanthropists Michael Audain and his wife Yoshiko Karasawa.
From Skepticism to Success Story
The journey to opening the museum was met with initial doubt. Michael Audain recalls hiring a consultant specializing in art museums to conduct a market study. "He told us it was doubtful that the museum would be successful," said Audain. "He said, 'People go to Whistler to ski, and then when they finish skiing, they're tired, or they want to party.'" The consultant also warned that summer visitor numbers might be insufficient.
History has proven that assessment wrong. Since its grand opening on March 12, 2016, the museum has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors, a figure that includes periods of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also hosted 43 special exhibitions. "It's really worked. It exceeded my expectations," Audain stated, whose Audain Foundation has also donated $100 million toward the new Vancouver Art Gallery.
A Personal Collection Finds a Public Home
The genesis of the museum stemmed from a simple desire to share. In 2013, Audain and Karasawa, possessing an extensive personal art collection, sought the best way to make a portion of it accessible to the public. An initial idea to open their West Vancouver home was dismissed due to potential neighborhood concerns over parking.
The search for a location led them to Whistler, thanks to a suggestion from Jim Moodie, who was instrumental in designing the Whistler Village. After touring potential sites with local officials, then-Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden offered a lease on a preferred parcel of land on the condition they build an art museum. The couple agreed, and the vision began to take physical form.
Celebrating a Decade of Art in the Mountains
The museum will kick off its 10th-anniversary celebrations on January 31, 2026, with A Night At The Museum, an event marking the closing of the Geoffrey Farmer exhibition and the opening of From Sea to Sky: The Art of British Columbia. The official anniversary will be commemorated with a Public Open House from March 12 to 16, where admission will be by donation.
Other notable events in the anniversary year include:
- A Week With Manabu (March 19-23): Artist Manabu Ikeda returns for a week-long residency featuring an open studio, workshops, and conversations.
- Annual Fundraising Art Auction (April 18): The museum's key fundraising event.
The museum's permanent collection, which holds over 300 pieces, is a major draw. A significant highlight is its collection of more than 40 works by iconic British Columbia artist Emily Carr, including her notable 1912 painting War Canoes, Alert Bay. This collection, alongside works from other renowned artists, has cemented the Audain Art Museum's reputation as a must-visit institution for both locals and international visitors, successfully blending world-class art with the iconic Whistler landscape.
