{"id":27129,"date":"2025-02-27T09:32:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T14:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/?p=27129"},"modified":"2025-02-27T09:32:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T14:32:32","slug":"the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection","title":{"rendered":"The National Gallery of Canada: Exploring Ottawa\u2019s Canadian Art Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near the bustling ByWard Market stands the <strong>National Gallery of Canada<\/strong>. Both locals and visitors to Ottawa can discover not only historical but also contemporary works of art within its walls. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and multimedia installations draw in crowds. It\u2019s a must-see destination, and <a href=\"http:\/\/iottawa.net\"><strong>iottawa.net<\/strong><\/a> has more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3c0049216e2\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3c0049216e2\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection\/#Brief_Historical_Overview\" >Brief Historical Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection\/#The_Gallerys_Collections\" >The Gallery\u2019s Collections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection\/#Related_Associations\" >Related Associations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection\/#Notable_Features_of_the_National_Gallery_of_Canada\" >Notable Features of the National Gallery of Canada<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/eternal-the-national-gallery-of-canada-exploring-ottawas-canadian-art-collection\/#Essential_Information\" >Essential Information<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Brief_Historical_Overview\"><\/span><strong>Brief Historical Overview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before delving into the National Gallery of Canada\u2019s modern history, let\u2019s touch on its beginnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>1880<\/strong>, Canada\u2019s Governor General John Campbell first established the gallery in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Two years later, the gallery moved to a building on <strong>Parliament Hill<\/strong>, which also housed Canada\u2019s Second Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>1910<\/strong>, Eric Brown was appointed as the National Gallery\u2019s first director, and by <strong>1911<\/strong>, the institution had relocated to the <strong>Victoria Memorial Museum<\/strong> building, which also held the National Museum of Natural Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the following decades, the gallery\u2019s history and cultural value continued to grow. A <strong>National Gallery Act<\/strong> was passed in 1913, and expansion followed in the 1920s. Eventually, the Victoria Memorial Museum building could no longer accommodate the gallery\u2019s growing collection. In 1952, a design contest for a permanent gallery building was held, but the government decided against supporting the winning proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, the government offered the eight-story <strong>Lorne Building<\/strong> for the gallery\u2019s use. The National Gallery then moved to an office building on Elgin Street, which was eventually torn down and replaced by a 17-story office structure for the federal Department of Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>1968<\/strong>, the National Museums of Canada Corporation absorbed the National Gallery of Canada. Renovation of the Lorne Building was finished in 1976, but by 1980, it was clear another move would soon be necessary. The building\u2019s condition was poor, and it lacked sufficient exhibit space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>1982<\/strong>, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced a renewed focus on national development favouring the arts. His plan involved constructing permanent buildings for the National Gallery of Canada and the Museum of Man, with a five-year completion goal. Construction began on Sussex Drive in <strong>1985<\/strong>, and the new facility opened in May 1988.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, in 2000, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada named the gallery building one of the <strong>500 best<\/strong> structures erected in the country over the previous millennium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/02\/17101612\/ad_4nxduir1dpne-bs8al7vvafetkz9uwlc-x4qgi4ctvavzvlkfz9qsuu6nimwsz1qjqvailpr372bhqtczxqaqsbtw-49vsyuuz85cdq-mjellfhmhchzl5rij6mqvh9q1rlhww-oc4qkeyudvpe-xslhpgimnkmyfz9aqs.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Gallerys_Collections\"><\/span><strong>The Gallery\u2019s Collections<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <strong>October 2018<\/strong>, the National Gallery of Canada\u2019s permanent collection contained over <strong>93,625 works<\/strong>, representing various artistic movements and eras. The gallery\u2019s first acquisitions were works by Canadian artists, underscoring its commitment to featuring Canadian art at the institution\u2019s core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, the collection expanded through purchases and donations of works by artists from around the world. Notably, the gallery organizes its own travelling exhibitions, touring both Canada and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around 1,500 contemporary artworks from the 1990s onward form part of the current collection. The first contemporary Indigenous Canadian piece acquired by the gallery was \u201cNorth American Iceberg\u201d (1985) by Carl Beam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>2017<\/strong>, marking the gallery\u2019s 150th anniversary, Bob Rennie donated 197 contemporary artworks\u2014paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces\u2014to the institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Gallery of Canada\u2019s <strong>Library and Archives<\/strong>, founded in 1880, is home to an extensive array of literature on Canadian art. Its holdings include 275,000 books, exhibition catalogues, and periodicals, along with 76,000 documentation files and 95,000 microforms. The archives also serve as the gallery\u2019s institutional archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Associations\"><\/span><strong>Related Associations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Gallery of Canada is a premier cultural institution working with other groups that advance Canadian art and museum initiatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Canadian Museums Association<\/strong>: A national non-profit organization advocating for museums across Canada, supporting museum professionals\u2019 development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Galeries Ontario\/Ontario Galleries (GOG)<\/strong>, formerly the Ontario Association of Art Galleries, established in 1968 to promote public art galleries and museums.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Canadian Heritage Information Network<\/strong>, offering a network interface for Canadian heritage institutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Museums Canada<\/strong>, a funding program dedicated to online projects by museums and heritage communities, aiding organizations in enhancing their digital capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their combined efforts nurture and expand Canada\u2019s museum sector, ensuring public access to cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/02\/17101611\/ad_4nxfvmksz63qm_kf4zed556ieygqdn5rbfklucxlgirtgjojvnd2ef3p__7saqzi1irqcefwmyiceaskec2odv1uqot9ipue2jmqo7kvnatjlgslx5tig5elvrxxytoplqruy3h8aaakeyudvpe-xslhpgimnkmyfz9aqs.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notable_Features_of_the_National_Gallery_of_Canada\"><\/span><strong>Notable Features of the National Gallery of Canada<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visitors can appreciate the following highlights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Louise Bourgeois\u2019 spider sculpture<\/strong> greeting everyone at the entrance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The museum\u2019s <strong>striking architecture<\/strong> by Moshe Safdie\u2014an artistic fusion of granite and glass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exhibits showcasing <strong>ancient Indigenous artifacts<\/strong>, religious artworks from New France, paintings by the Group of Seven, plus modern Inuit sculptures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Canada\u2019s best collection of <strong>European art<\/strong>, as well as strong holdings of Asian and global works.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One of the world\u2019s most comprehensive <strong>photography collections<\/strong> and related materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lovely <strong>indoor courtyard garden<\/strong> where guests can relax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, the National Gallery of Canada offers panoramic views of Ottawa and Gatineau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/02\/17101610\/ad_4nxd1sdzuniyzmmhxreb7jajy3ociosq1meccyapxaukgis2iassvqu13qlctcjl3hrgxmzpiypfioxadabpdz8steclp1plputiki9founy8kocrtkhizty9utbfcord8d9wpmtjkeyudvpe-xslhpgimnkmyfz9aqs.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Essential_Information\"><\/span><strong>Essential Information<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Gallery of Canada is located at <strong>380 Sussex Drive<\/strong> in Ottawa. The gallery building spans <strong>46,621 square metres<\/strong>, including <strong>12,400 square metres<\/strong> of exhibition space. For inquiries, call <strong>613-990-1985<\/strong> or toll-free at <strong>1-800-319-2787<\/strong>. The site has Wi-Fi and accessible washrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From <strong>May to September<\/strong>, the gallery is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. From <strong>October to April<\/strong>, it\u2019s closed Mondays; from Tuesday to Sunday, it runs 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you plan on visiting with a large group, book in advance. <strong>Underground parking<\/strong> is available for a fee; nearby street parking is an option. Wheelchairs and strollers are provided in the foyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When exploring the collections, watch for \u201cNo Photos\u201d signs that restrict photography of certain pieces. Canadians can become members of the gallery\u2014membership can be purchased online, at the admissions desk, or via the membership office. Perks include free access to the gallery\u2019s collections and exhibitions, exclusive previews, and a <strong>15% discount<\/strong> for NGC members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iottawa.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2025\/02\/17101609\/ad_4nxcspru4svyxhzlkzz1nd7dvaguucqlu8dh9z5kbwdv8kjdhzffbwhwl0hx7-cl6b4ncsy8ldklcg6czhqcx9_ujhdh9ikxudbihja1suyuy6ifevmgkqxaiyvooioy2_bdxae4niqkeyudvpe-xslhpgimnkmyfz9aqs.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often featured in <a href=\"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/uk\/eternal-vyhidni-v-ottavi-rozvagy-ta-varianty-kulturnogo-vidpochynku\">weekend<\/a> to-do lists, the National Gallery of Canada provides a cultural escape to enrich your inner world. There\u2019s a caf\u00e9 or wine bar on-site if you\u2019d like a break. If you can\u2019t make it in person, you can take a <strong>virtual tour<\/strong> of the gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Guided tour of the National Gallery of Canada\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/530prRcY9pE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Near the bustling ByWard Market stands the National Gallery of Canada. Both locals and visitors to Ottawa can discover not only historical but also contemporary works of art within its walls. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, and multimedia installations draw in crowds. It\u2019s a must-see destination, and iottawa.net has more details. Brief Historical Overview Before delving into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":526,"featured_media":27063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4818],"tags":[8388,8391,8389,8393,8395,8399,8396,8401,8398,8387,8390,8397,8394,8400,8392,7622],"moimportance":[501,656,31,32,35],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[83],"class_list":["post-27129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cultural","tag-canadian-art","tag-collections","tag-cultural-recreation","tag-exclusive-previews","tag-exploring-the-canadian-art-collection-in-ottawa","tag-features-of-the-national-gallery-of-canada","tag-gallery-exhibitions","tag-how-to-spend-a-weekend","tag-multimedia-installations","tag-museum-work","tag-national-gallery-of-canada","tag-paintings","tag-photography","tag-sculptures","tag-sussex-drive-in-ottawa","tag-virtual-tour","moimportance-recommended","moimportance-trending","moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","moimportance-golovna-novyna","moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","motype-eternal","moformat-longread-short"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/526"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27129"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27129\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27143,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27129\/revisions\/27143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27129"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=27129"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=27129"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iottawa.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=27129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}