Reimagining a Cultural Landmark: The Transformation of Glenbow

Every great capital project is shaped not only by architects, builders, and funders, but by the visionaries who steward it from the earliest ambitions to the moment a community walks through the doors. For nearly a decade, Lori Van Rooijen has been one of those leaders for Glenbow.

As a volunteer on Glenbow’s Board of Directors, Lori has helped guide one of the most significant arts and culture transformations in Canada: the complete renovation and reimagination of Glenbow and the creation of the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture. This work has not only reshaped the physical space but also redefined what it means for a museum to belong to its community.

A Volunteer Role with Extraordinary Impact

Lori’s contributions began long before construction crews arrived on site. As Glenbow undertook its ambitious journey toward a modern, accessible, community-centred museum, Lori stepped into one of the most complex volunteer roles imaginable: stewarding a redevelopment valued at hundreds of millions of dollars as Board Chair while ensuring the museum’s long-term financial sustainability.

Working alongside a dedicated board and leadership team, Lori helped create the strategic, operational, and financial foundation required to move a project of this size forward with confidence. This included the development of a comprehensive government relations strategy that ultimately unlocked unprecedented support across all three levels of government.

Through this work, Glenbow secured:

• $40 million from the Government of Alberta

• $45 million from the Government of Canada

• $48 million from the City of Calgary

This alignment of public investment reflects both the cultural significance of Glenbow and the credibility of the strategy guiding its renewal. Lori’s leadership was central to building that trust and clarity.

Philanthropy that Reshaped Access

Glenbow’s reimagination is not only about restoring a building. It is about redefining who the museum is for.

One of the most transformative gifts in this project was a $35 million donation from the Shaw Family Foundation. This extraordinary contribution ensures free access to the museum forever, removing financial barriers and inviting every person in Calgary and beyond to experience art and culture without cost. The board, volunteers and staff will raise an additional 62 million from the community to support this beloved art museum.

Building a Sustainable Future

Behind every inspiring cultural space is a financial model that ensures it can thrive for generations. Early in the project, Glenbow received critical volunteer support from Larkspur’s CFO, Courtney Shearer, who developed a detailed financial model for every facet of museum operations. This included:

• Retail and gift shop revenue

• Ticketed zones and program fees

• Membership structures

• Education programming

• Donor targets

• Restaurant, catering, and event revenue

This work created the operational backbone for the Glenbow and positioned the museum for long-term sustainability.

A Legacy of Community Stewardship

Today, as the new JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture is poised to open, Glenbow approaches the full reopening of its transformed space, its evolution reflects years of thoughtful, patient, volunteer-driven leadership. The Glenbow renovation is not simply a construction project; it is a reimagining of how arts, culture, and community come together in Calgary.

Lori and Courtney’s role in this journey is one example of the profound impact that skilled, committed volunteers can have on landmark projects. Lori’s expertise in strategy, governance, fundraising, and government relations helped shape a once-in-a-generation transformation, one that will serve Calgarians for decades to come.

This is the heart of capital project stewardship: ensuring that the spaces we build today honour the stories, creativity, and aspirations of tomorrow.