5 Fantastic Canadian Art Galleries

Canada is a country full of not only beautiful natural landscapes, but a rich history of art and culture as well. There are plenty of places in the Great White North where visitors can see wonderful paintings, sculptures, and more. Whether you live in the country or are planning a trip there soon, check out the five fantastic galleries listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Great Art Galleries In Canada

Name Location
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Victoria, British Columbia
Art Gallery of Mississauga Mississauga, Ontario
Art Gallery of Burlington Burlington, Ontario
Patrick Mikhail Gallery Montreal, Quebec
Art Gallery of Hamilton Hamilton, Ontario

5 Notable Canadian Artists

  1. Emily Carr
  2. Norval Morrisseau
  3. Tom Thomson
  4. Lawren Harris
  5. Kenojuak Ashevak

Ways To Engage In Lifelong Learning

  • Visit a museum or gallery
  • Read both fiction and non-fiction as often as you can
  • Teach others what you know
  • Explore new places
  • Start a creative project, like a vlog or podcast
  • Get a good desk for your home
  • Join a study group
  • Take a hike through nature
  • Listen to different types of music
  • Look up words you don't know in the dictionary

How Art Gives Shape To Cultural Change

In Depth

Galleries are important institutions that attract thousands of visitors each year. They give people the opportunity to learn and be inspired by history and culture. Though Canada is well known for its nature and outdoor activities, it also boasts an impressive collection of art organizations. In no particular order, here are five galleries in the Great White North that house unique collections worth checking out.

Coming in at #1 on our list is the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. With almost twenty thousand pieces in its collection, the AGGV has the largest public collection in British Columbia and is a vibrant and active part of the cultural community in Victoria. When the AGGV first opened in 1951, its works were exhibited in the historic Spencer Mansion, which was built in 1889. The property was originally comprised of formal gardens, two tennis courts, stables and a coach house. The mansion was donated in 1951 by Miss Sarah Spencer to become the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. It is now adjacent to seven modern galleries on the property.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria prides itself on presenting a diverse assortment of exhibitions and collections. The work of Canadian artist Emily Carr is one of the most popular attractions at the AGGV. The permanent exhibition offers an insightful look at the inspiring local artist who captured the BC landscape and the lives of its First Nations Peoples. The AGGV also focuses on creating, commissioning, and hosting important contemporary exhibitions.

The permanent exhibition offers an insightful look at the inspiring local artist who captured the BC landscape and the lives of its First Nations Peoples.

#2 on our list is The Art Gallery of Mississauga. The AGM is a public, not-for-profit, cultural organization located just outside of Toronto, Ontario. The AGM presents a changing calendar of engaging contemporary art exhibitions, featuring regional, national and international artists. The gallery offers a wide range of tours, talks, and workshops for adult learners, as well as innovative youth programs for schools, universities and community groups.

The Art Gallery of Mississauga provides a platform for exhibitions, collections and experimentation in contemporary culture with a focus on artists and cultural producers from Indigenous, newcomer and youth communities. Through a broad range of educational programs, artist projects and other forms of critical dialogue, the AGM seeks to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, foster community, and provide spaces where alternative modes of thought are supported and activated.

Coming in at #3 is the Art Gallery of Burlington. A place of intersection where creators, cultures, and communities meet and share in the wealth of human creativity, the AGB specializes in contemporary visual art, ceramics, and sculpture. Over the last thirty years, the AGB has amassed the largest comprehensive collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, totalling over 2,300 works. The work ranges from highly functional pieces to abstract sculptural installations.

Over the last thirty years, the AGB has amassed the largest comprehensive collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, totalling over 2,300 works.

Access to professional art studios, thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions, and a talented team of educators make the Art Gallery of Burlington an ideal place to experience arts education outside of the classroom. The AGB offers classes in printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and painting for both youth and adults.

Moving on to #4 on our list, the Patrick Mikhail Gallery has two locations: one in Montreal and one in the capital city of Canada, Ottawa. Established in 2006, the organization emphasizes a complete engagement in the professional practices of its artists, and a commitment to launching new and relevant exhibitions. The gallery is named after Patrick Mikhail, who is president and chair of the board of directors of The Contemporary Art Galleries Association of Canada.

The gallery has promoted and nurtured the careers of a new generation of Canadian contemporary artists through its curated program of solo and group exhibitions, special projects, academic collaborations, and off-site projects. The Patrick Mikhail Gallery showcases artists whose practices have incorporated painting, photography, installation, performance, sculpture, drawing, film, video, and new media and who use their work to explore a range of contemporary issues and ideas.

The gallery has promoted and nurtured the careers of a new generation of Canadian contemporary artists through its curated program of solo and group exhibitions, special projects, academic collaborations, and off-site projects.

Finally, at #5, is the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Founded in 1914, it is the oldest and largest art museum in Southern Ontario with a permanent collection that is recognized as one of the finest in Canada. Embracing historical, international, and contemporary works, the collection consists of more than 10,000 pieces. Visitors can see pieces by Alex Colville, Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, Helen McNicoll, Keith Haring, and Tyler Tekatch, among others.

The AGH is renowned for providing complementary programming for visitors of all ages. In addition to tours and talks, the gallery offers studios for adults and kids, as well as group activities, school programs, film screenings, performances, and more. You can support the gallery by shopping at its gift store, which is full of books, pottery, stationary, and toys.