ROM Opens Ten New Galleries to the Public

ROM Opens Ten New Galleries to the Public
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) welcomed the public to the first new galleries of Renaissance ROM, the Museum's expansion and restoration project.

The Museum unveiled 90,000 square feet (8,100 square metres) of public space, featuring ten new galleries, in the Museum's historic buildings.

The openings include a new wing for the art and archaeology of China, Japan and Korea, a gallery featuring artifacts and art from Canada's First Peoples, and several renovated public areas.

Two original ROM exhibitions, D�co Lalique and Korea Around 1900: The Paintings of Gisan, also opened.

Through the morning, visitors lining up to buy their tickets were entertained by MorningStar River, a group of Native Canadian drummers and singers at the Loblaws Entrance at the south end of the Museum.

'It is exhilarating to complete the first stage of Renaissance ROM and present these beautiful new galleries to the public,' said William Thorsell.

'These re-imagined galleries will reveal the ROM's treasures in an entirely new light.'

Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, Renaissance ROM is the largest heritage restoration and museum expansion project in Canada today.

For the first time in more than 20 years, visitors will experience the ROM's historic 1914 and 1933 buildings in their original splendour.