The CA$351m (US$322.5m, €231.8m, £190m) Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is preparing to open its doors on 20 September. The exterior of the Antoine Predock-designed building is substantially complete and exhibit fit-up is now underway.

Located in Winnipeg, it is intended to be the first museum in the world solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights, with a special but not exclusive focus on Canada.

Projected to attract 250,000 visitors annually, the museum will feature 11 galleries covering different aspects of human rights and significant episodes in world events.

It is also the first national museum ever established and built outside the National Capital Region of the country, which consists of capital Ottawa, neighbouring Gatineau in Quebec, and surrounding urban and rural communities.

Encompassing more than 4,366sq m (47,000sq ft) of exhibit space, CMHR will also feature a 23-storey glass Tower of Hope observation deck, which symbolises the “brightness of enlightenment”. There will be several theatre spaces where films can be viewed, as well as performing arts spaces for live theatre and dance.

The Museum will also serve as a centre for learning, with a reference centre and library on site.



CMHR recently signed an agreement with Ryerson University to create an exhibit on disability rights. The university’s School of Disability Studies’ Out from Under exhibit uses 13 everyday objects such as a modified shovel, breathing apparatus, grey sweat suits and a Braille watch to present a history of Canadians with disabilities, and will now move to the national stage.

The museum has received CA$100m (US$91.9m, €66m, £54.2m) funding from the federal government, while Manitoba contributed $40m (US$36.8m, €26.4m, £21.7m) and the City of Winnipeg offered $23.6m (US$21.7m, €15.6m, £12.8m). The rest of the funding has come from private sector donors.