Art makes the heart of Toronto beat—wildly at that. The bustling city comes alive with multicultural vibrancy. It offers a sanctuary just as welcoming for artists and creators as it is for collectors and enthusiasts.
Meandering through the city's streets reveals a plethora of art galleries. Add some of these art galleries to your itinerary when you're thinking of things to do in Toronto.
Harbourfront
Nestled against Lake Ontario's shores, Harbourfront serves as a central gathering place in Toronto. Its easy access to downtown hotels and attractions makes it a sweet place to visit to check out the local art scene.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Put your ear to the wall at The Power Plant to hear echoes of this contemporary art gallery's industrial past. But it's not the hum of machines making noise. It's artistic energy bubbling to the surface and throughout every inch of this Toronto gallery.
The old and new mix here, creating sounds, sights, and experiences that please the senses. The gallery opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It closes at 6 p.m. most days, but on Thursdays, it stays open until 8 p.m. The Power Plant offers an inclusive environment for sharing art and ideas.
The red brick building stands out on the waterfront, with its tall smokestack beckoning visitors from a distance. This nonprofit gallery offers free admission to the public, making it a great place to visit for a fun first (or 50th!) date.
Baldwin Village
Baldwin Village serves as a melting pot for artistic expression. Diverse cultures meet, eat, and share ideas. Small and big art galleries dot the charming streetscape in this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
Elevate your Toronto Stay!
Ready for a whimsical twist to your Toronto visit? Make the most of your day with high-flying Cirque du Soleil acts and vibrant shows!
Bau-Xi Gallery
Enter the Bau-Xi Gallery for a whimsical journey through the world of modern art. It showcases vibrant art and modern sculptures, and each photograph whispers its own enchanting tale.
Complementary exhibitions from Canadian and international artists invite you to reflect and dream. This gallery boasts two locations. The Dufferin Street location is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, and the Dundas Street location is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the top galleries in Canada, exhibiting 90,000 works within its walls. Its sweeping glass facade and sculptural staircase make it an unmistakable part of the city's landscape.
With spaces that let in natural light to illuminate the art, it offers a unique visual experience. Thanks to its proximity to the Ontario College of Art & Design, it also entices new talent.
The Art Gallery of Ontario offers educational programs, workshops, and lectures. The gallery opens at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Yorkville
Yorkville may have shed its Bohemian roots for a more sophisticated ambiance, but the artistic element still lurks in this luxurious neighborhood. Beautiful Victorian architecture gives it a feeling of timeless elegance. Enchanting art galleries and museums in Toronto await along its charming tree-lined streets.
Cooper Cole
Challenge your worldview and beliefs at Cooper Cole gallery. Here, subversive themes and societal critique reign supreme. Avant-garde and anarchic pieces are carefully curated. The art and sculptures on display are designed to subvert conventional thinking.
Cooper Cole is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.
Mira Godard Gallery
Watch the walls come to life with color and beauty when you visit the Mira Godard Gallery. Blending warmth with sophistication, this contemporary gallery invites art lovers to wander through its expansive three-story space.
We love how this spot lets you lose yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. It was originally established in 1950 as Montreal's Galerie Agnès Lefort. Mira Godard bought the gallery in 1962 and relocated it to Toronto.
This Hazelton Avenue space has since grown to become Canada's premier contemporary gallery, featuring Canadian and international art. You can visit this gallery Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Moss Park
Situated in Downtown Toronto, Moss Park offers challenges and opportunities for those who call it home. A strong community spirit bolstered by artistic initiatives and welcoming galleries lets local artists engage and create, empowering residents of the area to do the same through accessible programs and events.
Nicholas Metivier Gallery
Embrace modern aesthetics from Canadian and international artists at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery. Founded in 2004, this museum prides itself on showcasing exceptional, original art and focuses on photographs and paintings. Its Richmond Street location puts it near the heart of the downtown art scene.
The gallery nurtures and supports artists with dynamic contemporary exhibitions highlighting their best works. Drop in while visiting the city's Moss Park area to find evocative art. The Nicholas Metivier Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Brockton Village
A walk through Brockton Village reveals a rich cultural tapestry with murals, street art, and small galleries dotting the streets. Eclectic public installations foster community and many venues serve as display spaces for local artists.
Clint Roenisch
Embrace the uncommon creativity of the exhibits at Clint Roenisch. Tucked away on Saint Helens Avenue, it features a disparate selection of paintings, sculptures, and installations that inspire discussion and awe. This warehouse-style space opens for exhibitions and by appointment.
West Queen West
West Queen West exudes avant-garde charm, especially in its iconic Graffiti Alley. Along the walkable streets of this eclectic neighborhood with decidedly Bohemian vibes, you'll find boutiques and eateries sitting among amazing art galleries.
Koffler Gallery
Explore themes of identity and social justice at Koffler Gallery. Part of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, it's nestled in Artscape Youngplace community center. The art displays encourage cultural conversation, reflection, and understanding.
Admission to the gallery is free, and it's open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Paul Petro Contemporary Art
Dive into a pulsing core of creativity at Paul Petro Contemporary Art. Located on Queen Street, this modern gallery highlights established and emerging artists for an array of contemporary artistic expression.
Although international artists get their due, this establishment celebrates Canadian talent. The works invite viewers to subvert old ways of thinking and examine their personal and political views through a critical lens of self-awareness.
Spanning sculpture, paintings, photography, performance art, and mixed media works, this art gallery welcomes visitors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday or by appointment.
Birch Contemporary
Saunter through Birch Contemporary to submerse your senses in the extraordinary. Leave your expectations behind as you explore walls filled with pieces that tell exciting stories.
Revel in the texture of the sculptures found perched alongside paintings. Visitors get a warm welcome to the innovative world of modern art, where pushing boundaries is the norm and not the exception.
We love how the captivating offerings ensure a variety of perspectives. This venue will scratch your itch for contemporary art. Whether you're an artist or an enthusiast who enjoys scouting art trends, you can visit this spot from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.
The Junction
Come to The Junction for its historical charm, but stay for its modern flair. Once dominated by manufacturing, it has since outgrown its industrial beginnings to become a vibrant, creative neighborhood with a charismatic art scene.
Zalucky Contemporary
Explore the cutting-edge art at Zalucky Contemporary on Dundas Street. We love how it incubates innovative ideas and focuses on new talent and mid-level artists. Reflecting current trends in the art world, the gallery offers unique pieces featuring tantalizing textures and techniques for a thoroughly modern aesthetic.
Shining a spotlight on local artists, this hub of creativity promotes provocative palettes, intriguing abstracts, and sculptures. Exhibits rotate regularly, so check the gallery's website beforehand. You can visit Zalucky Contemporary from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Saturday.
Distillery District
Considered a heritage site, Toronto's Distillery District was once the home of the largest distillery in the British Empire. This vibrant neighborhood offers interesting historical views with its Victorian industrial architecture and cobblestone streets. However, its focus on art and culture gives it a more modern vibe.
Corkin Gallery
At Corkin Gallery, art, ambition, and architecture align. Panel discussions with artists and guided tours provide a deep sense of connection. And each viewing room offers surrealism and secrets of its own.
Founded in 1979, this museum features various works from modern photographers, painters, and sculptors. We love how it focuses on intriguing themes and unique techniques when choosing its roster of artists and curating existing pieces for display. Corkin Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Roncesvalles Village
Referred to as "Roncy" by locals, Roncesvalles Village blends diverse cultural influences with a distinctive Polish feel. This combination brings old-world charm to a neighborhood that seamlessly blends Victorian and Edwardian buildings in Toronto with a lively, modern urban aesthetic.
Christopher Cutts Gallery
Enter an artistic oasis when you venture inside Christopher Cutts Gallery. Art blooms in different forms here, and the fresh perspectives intertwine into a space for personal expression, reflecting Toronto's vivid artistic landscape.
A rotating exhibit schedule offers a distinctive array of art styles. Here, you can view beguiling mixed-media installations, revel in the texture of impasto paintings, and examine engaging sculptures from every angle. This gallery's offerings are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fashion District
Toronto's Fashion District has always been in the trend-setting business, and it's no different when it comes to art. Here, the textile manufacturing past merges with the contemporary present, putting the neighborhood's finger on the pulse of modernity and creating a cutting-edge space for artistic exploration.
Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography
Savor photographic art at Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography. This nonprofit artist-run gallery exhibits various types of photography, from films and digital images to mixed-media works. It also offers hands-on workshops to help amateur photographers improve their craft.
Immerse yourself in exhibits that redefine artistic norms. This gallery fosters a nurturing setting for its artists by offering the use of its darkroom and production facilities. It's open for viewing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Little Portugal
A dynamic fusion of new-age creativity and old-world charm, Little Portugal reflects the cultural sensibilities of its inhabitants. This neighborhood allows creatives to showcase their artistry in a lively, cultural mosaic.
Stephen Bulger Gallery
Established in 1995, Stephen Bulger Gallery offers an impressive array of contemporary and historical photographs, and it's become a go-to destination for collectors in Canada and worldwide.
Analyze modern works with societally important themes, and inspect pieces from the past that bring up timeless tropes and evoke probing questions. You can explore the offerings at Stephen Bulger Gallery between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
St. Lawrence Market
The city's rich history meets an upbeat arts scene in Toronto's St. Lawrence Market neighborhood. While local artists display their works streetside, its gallery offers upscale artistry.
Feheley Fine Arts
Reflect on traditional Inuit art at Feheley Fine Arts. From ornate pieces carved from bone to detailed drawings depicting the daily life of Indigenous peoples, this gallery primarily promotes native artists, shining a spotlight on their vibrant contributions to Canadian life.
Drop by between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Embracing Toronto's Artistic Diversity Through Its Galleries
Diverse classic and contemporary pieces in these Toronto art galleries let you explore the world through the eyes of others, but why stop there?
Trade in paintings and sculptures for the aerial majesty at one of our shows in Toronto. Static stories are a beautiful and thought-provoking art, and we combine that art with lights, music, and movement for a unique experience that suspends you in time. Let your imagination soar as our performers leap across the stage and suspend themselves in midair.
We hope to see you in the audience at our next performance.