Remai Modern

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Remai Modern

Museum

Remai Modern is a public modern and contemporary art museum on the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Canada. Travelers come for its striking riverside architecture and collections that include works from the Mendel Art Gallery and an extensive set of Picasso linocuts.

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Remai Modern essentials

Address: River Landing, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Remai Modern occupies a prominent riverside site in the River Landing area of Saskatoon, with a building designed by Bruce Kuwabara of KPMB Architects in association with Architecture49. The 11,582-square-metre building uses glass and copper mesh, cantilevered stacks and a multi-level atrium to reference the prairie landscape and nearby riverfront. Large ground-floor glazing lets the main atrium connect with the South Saskatchewan River and downtown; the atrium also features a communal fireplace and looks out across the bend in the river.

The museum was established after plans to replace the Mendel Art Gallery were set aside, and opened to the public in October 2017. Its permanent collection now exceeds 8,000 works, incorporating the Mendel collection and a major donation of Picasso linocuts and ceramics. Remai Modern stages temporary and travelling exhibitions across eleven galleries and offers learning studios, a theatre, a rooftop patio, a cafe and retail spaces; check the museum directly for current programs and access details.

  • Picasso linocut collection: The museum houses a notable group of Picasso linocuts and ceramics donated by Ellen Remai, a highlight for many visitors.
  • Mendel collection highlights: Works transferred from the former Mendel Art Gallery include historical Canadian paintings and early 20th-century pieces displayed alongside contemporary acquisitions.
  • Main atrium and river views: Floor-to-ceiling glass in the atrium offers sweeping views of the South Saskatchewan River and the adjacent riverbank.
  • Roof patio and riverside outlook: A rooftop patio provides an elevated vantage point over the river and downtown skyline when it is open.
  • Changing exhibitions and installations: Rotating exhibitions feature contemporary Canadian and international artists across the museum’s eleven galleries.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Remai Modern#

Saskatoon has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers; choose your visit depending on whether you prefer riverfront weather or quieter indoor gallery time.

Summer (best for river views)
June - August · 10°C - 26°C (50°F - 79°F)
Warm weather makes the riverfront and rooftop patio pleasant and easy to explore on foot, and outdoor events are more likely to be scheduled.
Shoulder seasons
May, September - October · -1°C - 18°C (30°F - 64°F)
Late spring and early fall offer milder conditions for walking the riverbank and fewer crowds while galleries remain fully open.
Winter (quiet indoor visiting)
November - March · -22°C - 0°C (-8°F - 32°F)
Exhibition spaces are fully accessible and the museum can be a comforting indoor destination, but be prepared for very cold temperatures outdoors.

Weather & Climate near Remai Modern#

Climate

Remai Modern's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -22°C to 26°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 29 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
-45°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -22° - -12° -25° 14 mm partly cloudy 93% 3.9 m/s 0.1 low 8.1h
February Poor -18° - -7° -20° 11 mm partly cloudy 92% 3.9 m/s 0.2 low 9.7h
March Poor -11° - -1° -11° 17 mm partly cloudy 79% 4.3 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.7h
April Good -1° - 11° 1° 23 mm partly cloudy 63% 4.5 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.8h
May Very Good 5° - 19° 12° 50 mm partly cloudy 57% 4.7 m/s 1.3 high 15.5h
June Very Good 10° - 23° 17° 65 mm partly cloudy 62% 4.2 m/s 1.5 very high 16.5h
July Excellent 12° - 26° 19° 59 mm partly cloudy 59% 3.7 m/s 1.6 very high 16.0h
August Excellent 11° - 25° 18° 41 mm partly cloudy 59% 3.7 m/s 1.2 high 14.5h
September Very Good 5° - 18° 12° 30 mm partly cloudy 63% 4.1 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Good -1° - 11° 2° 17 mm partly cloudy 72% 4.2 m/s 0.3 low 10.4h
November Poor -10° - -1° -11° 13 mm overcast 82% 4.0 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
December Poor -19° - -9° -21° 17 mm overcast 90% 3.9 m/s 0.0 low 7.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Remai Modern#

The museum is in Saskatoon on the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River in the River Landing development of downtown Saskatchewan. Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is the nearest airport for most visitors; from the airport a taxi or rideshare takes you into downtown, and from there the museum is a short walk or local transit ride.

Rail and intercity bus services to Saskatoon vary over time, so check current schedules; once in the city the Remai Modern is within easy reach of downtown hotels and the riverfront by walking, cycling, local bus or a short taxi ride.

Tips for Visiting Remai Modern#

  • Winter can be extremely cold and windy along the riverfront - dress in warm layers and sturdy footwear if visiting outside summer.
  • Allow time to enjoy the ground-floor atrium and river-facing glazing even if you’re primarily there for the galleries.
  • Check the museum’s website or contact the venue for current exhibitions, access to the rooftop patio and any timed-entry or special-program requirements.
  • If you want highlights, ask staff at arrival for recommended works or tours and for where the Mendel and Picasso holdings are displayed.