Things to do in Toronto, Canada: The Best Art Museums

Petroff Gallery proudly represents works of visual art and contemporary craft by over 200 Canadian artists and makers. Petroff is a hub for the handmade- featuring Canadian abstract and landscape painters and contemporary craft makers who are innovators in their chosen media and the craft movement. Featuring both functional and decorative works, we offer thoughtfully curated collections of jewellery, tableware, and Judaica. Located in Toronto's Forest Hill neighbourhood since 1982, we have established ourselves as advocates for original handmade work and are known by our reputation for exceptional client service.

The Cardinal is a creative exhibition space with a focus on showing fine art photography as well as providing an inviting event venue for the arts community. Located in a restored storefront of a historical building at 1231 Davenport Road in Toronto's West Side. The Cardinal has an approachable and intimate atmosphere with an open concept aesthetic.

With a collection of more than 90,000 works of art, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is among the largest and most distinguished art museums in North America. An international landmark, the AGO is also one of Canada’s most innovative cultural destinations. Highlights of the Gallery’s world-class collection include iconic Canadian and Inuit works, along with European and contemporary art – all on view in a spectacular building transformed by renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry. After spending time with the AGO’s vast collection, be sure to enjoy a meal or glass of wine at the Gallery’s award-winning restaurant FRANK. Visit shopAGO for a unique collection of artful gifts, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and beautiful art books.

This free public art exhibit and education centre features rotating shows of mixed media, paint, collage and sculpture. Exhibits may feature work from the gallery's permanent collection as well as new works created on site. Gallery Arcturus is dedicated to exploring the nature and necessity of visual art in human endeavour. In our view, art is the attempt to perceive and communicate what is seen. Supported by The Foundation for the Study of Objective Art.

Bau-Xi Gallery is one of Canada's most established galleries representing artists from across Canada. Established in 1965, we operate three gallery spaces in Toronto and Vancouver. In Toronto, the galleries are located across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario and in Vancouver on South Granville gallery row.

Discover one of the world's most universal and dynamic art forms. Explore the Gardiner Museum's internationally-renowned collections of pottery from the Ancient Americas, Europe, China, and Japan, as well as contemporary ceramics. Visit the Museum's special exhibitions, sign up for a clay class, take part in weekly family art activities, dine at Clay Restaurant, and find the perfect gift at the Gardiner Shop.

During our reopening phase, visitors well have access to three galleries of exhibitions and the Museum Shop. Admission to the Museum will be on a timed ticketing system to ensure social distancing protocols. The Textile Museum of Canada is the only national museum in Canada that explores ideas and builds cultural understanding through the universally relevant media of textiles. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Museum’s permanent collection spans nearly 2,000 years and consists of more than 15,000 artifacts. A leader in the digitization of collections and interactive environments, the Museum has been recognized the world over for innovation in the development of landmark educational, research and creative initiatives.

MOCA is motivated by our belief that museums can be culturally and socially useful. We promote exceptional artistic thinking and provide a community space for discourse and creativity. Working across all contemporary art forms, we empower the local Toronto art scene, while informing the international. MOCA is an accessible, welcoming hub rooted and engaged in a culturally rich neighbourhood; it is here, through art, that you can feel the specialness of this invigorating and hyper-diverse city.