Established to preserve and protect Canada’s national treasure, The Cultural Property Export & Import Act encourages gifts of cultural property to Canadian charities. Under the Act, cultural property must be deemed so by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board. Typically these include paintings and artwork by established Canadian artists, furniture and items of particular historical importance to Canada.

The Act offers donors significantly higher tax credits than a cash contribution as well as obvious opportunities for the recipient of the gift. Tax receipts are issued by the Government of Canada, not by Oakville Galleries, for the fair-market value of the item and donors may claim 100% of the gift in a given year. By law, Oakville Galleries must retain the item for a period of no less than 5 years; however, most gifts of cultural property remain in the Galleries growing and significant permanent collection.

Should you wish to contribute an item that may be considered cultural property, you must first contact the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board and have the item certified. Please contact Marnie Fleming, Curator of Contemporary Art, at 905.844.4402 extension 24 or email at marnie@oakvillegalleries.com for more information.