Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto is one of Canada’s largest art museums, with extensive collections of Canadian, Indigenous, European and contemporary art. The museum’s building and galleries were substantially reworked in a major renovation completed in 2008.

The AGO’s collection emphasizes Canadian art, including important works by the Group of Seven and Indigenous artists, alongside European masters and contemporary installations. The Gehry-led renovation reorganized public circulation and added new gallery and atrium spaces, improving access and presentation of the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. The museum also hosts educational programs, film screenings and research initiatives.

Founded in the early 20th century, the gallery expanded over decades through acquisitions and major donations that shaped its Canadian and European holdings. A high-profile renovation designed by Frank Gehry was completed in 2008, modernizing the building and gallery spaces.

The AGO sits in downtown Toronto near Dundas Street West and Grange Park, within walking distance of major transit connections and other cultural institutions in the city center. It functions as a primary art destination for locals and visitors to Toronto.

• Major renovation: The gallery underwent a major renovation led by architect Frank Gehry that completed in 2008, transforming access and display spaces in the downtown Toronto site.

What to See #

• Canadian and historical collections: Galleries focused on Canadian and Indigenous art, European paintings and contemporary works, including major holdings of the Group of Seven and other Canadian painters.
• Gehry renovation spaces: Gehry-designed architectural spaces introduced in the 2008 renovation that include new gallery circulation, atrium spaces and a prominent staircase feature.