Gardiner Museum Museum

Address: 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C7, Canada

Website: https://www.gardinermuseum.ca

Hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am-5pm; Wed 10:30am-9pm; closed Mondays

Admission: Adult CAD 15, Seniors/Students CAD 12, Children (under 12) free; members free

The Gardiner Museum is a museum of ceramic art in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It specializes in historic and contemporary ceramics and is the principal museum in Canada devoted to pottery and porcelain.

Galleries present a range of ceramic objects and rotating exhibitions, often accompanied by educational programs and collection-based displays. The museum includes a study collection and publishes research and exhibition material related to ceramics.

The museum was founded by George and Helen Gardiner and opened in the 1980s as a dedicated institution for ceramics in Toronto. Since opening it has grown its collection and exhibition program and established itself within the city’s cultural district.

The museum sits on Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto, adjacent to the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto, making it centrally accessible to visitors to the city’s museum precinct.

• Location tip: Located on Queen’s Park near the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto, making it easy to visit in combination with neighboring cultural institutions.
• Specialty: Focuses exclusively on ceramic art and design, with collections spanning historical to contemporary ceramics and rotating exhibitions.

The Gardiner sits at 111 Queen’s Park, directly adjacent to the Royal Ontario Museum and a short walk from the Museum Subway Station (Line 1 Yonge-University) - exit onto Bloor Street and head south along Queen’s Park (about 5-10 minutes on foot). Street parking is limited; Toronto Transit (TTC) is the easiest option from downtown.

• Arrive at opening to avoid school groups and bus tours; quiet mornings are best for close viewing of delicate pieces.
• Check the museum's calendar - occasional evening openings and artist demonstrations (including the on-site ceramics studio) offer a different, hands-on feel.
• Combine a visit with the Royal Ontario Museum across Queen's Park for a crisp architectural contrast and a longer cultural morning.
• Ask at the front desk about the handling/demonstration sessions: the Gardiner often hosts live throwing or glazing demos that are short but revealing.