What to Expect
The Art Gallery of Ontario carries a large spectrum of Canadian and International works. You can spend the whole day browsing and contemplating the fascinating displays of creativity. The AGO holds close to 80,000 works in its collection dating from 100 A.D. to present. The gallery houses works from renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso. Every year the AGO hosts a variety of large-scale exhibitions.
Past notable exhibitions include King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs; Sin and Salvation: Holman Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelite Vision; The Future Now. Coming soon: Abstract Expressionist – New York featuring the work of Jackson Pollock.
History
Founded in 1900, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America. The AGO originated in an old Georgian home called The Grange which is still attached to the museum today. In 2008 the gallery was expanded by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Renovations commenced in 2005 and three years later the AGO was transformed into the architectural masterpiece that it is today.
Renovation Highlights:
• New elegantly designed entrance on Dundas Street.
• A glass-and-wood façade spanning the front of the buildings streetscape, rising 70 feet above ground level.
• A magnificent new event space in the new four-storey south wing.
• A sculptural staircase, connecting Walker Court to the new event space and the centre for contemporary art.
Rates and Hours
The gallery is closed Mondays, open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm with extended hours on Wednesday until 8:30pm.
General admission for children under 5 is free. Prices range from $11-$19.50. A family day pass (2 adults and up to 5 children) is $50. Students with a valid student card receive free admission after 3pm.
Wednesday nights after 6pm are free – open to the permanent collection only.
Nearby Attractions
Toronto Eaton Centre – Just east of the AGO, a 5-10 minute walk away. The Eaton Centre is one of the top shopping destinations in Canada.
Yonge-Dundas Square – Located directly across from the Eaton Centre in the heart of the city. The Square is a public open space that is often transformed into an entertainment venue where free concerts and events take place.
Accommodations
Le Meridien King Edward – This elegant and charming hotel is located on King Street West in the Financial District, close to a bevy of fabulous restaurants.
The Delta Chelsea – Just a short walk from the Eaton Centre, it’s the only hotel in the city that boasts an indoor water slide.
The Courtyard Marriott – Steps away from the historic Maple Leaf Gardens and walking distance to nearly everything. This full-service facility is one of the largest Courtyard by Marriott hotels in the world.
Sheraton Centre Toronto – This urban retreat located on Queen Street West is connected to a 16-mile underground PATH of shops and services; so on those cold and rainy days you’ll stay dry and warm.
