To really experience the artistic side of Canada, keep your eyes wide open, walking down the streets. There are a lot of places and things where you should focus your attention: walls with beautiful murals, artist-run centers, contemporary art galleries, and even art cafes.If you are Studying Art in Canada you will want to visit all of the eight places that are recommended in this list, they are amazing.
We’ve put together this list with the most prominent and noteworthy art sites in Canada for those who study art or simply love it. Whether it is a part of your assignment, your passion, or you’re looking for inspiration, this guide will come in handy.
Top Locations for Students Studying Art in Canada
Ontario
Art Gallery of Ontario
Founded in 1900, it is one of the largest art museums in North America. Impressive, isn’t it? Here you can explore a vast selection of art masterpieces from all over the world. The art heritage presented in AGO is immense, over 98,000 of works from the first century to the present day. Their permanent collections include masterworks by Thomas Gainsborough, Paul Gauguin, Vasily Kandinsky, Michelangelo, David Milne, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Francisco Goya, Rembrandt, and many others.
The oldest building in the museum complex is a historic manor called the Grange built in 1817. The museum undergoes constant expansions and renovations, and in 2020, it takes up 45,000 square meters (480,000 sq ft) of physical space that includes the Grange and the main building.
Art Square Cafe and Lounge
Art Square Cafe is located directly across the street from AGO. It is a space for true connoisseurs of art, where you can eat and enjoy amazing art shows. Art Square is a cafe and gallery at the same time; they host art presentations and workshops with stunning networking in the field of art. Moreover, here you can give your own show and exhibit your works or organize events.
Barkerville
ArtsWells Festival
It is a 4-day Festival of All Things Art in Barkerville, BC, a celebration of art and music. Treat your eyes (and every other sense) with visual art installations, theater shows, literary events, roving performers, parades, and more.
There is a laid-back atmosphere of 100% freedom. It is an enriching cultural event where no one is trying to fit one’s masterpieces into some kind of framework. Everything is art here.
Vancouver
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
If you not only love art but also study it, you should visit The Bill Reid Gallery. It is Vancouver’s and Canada’s only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. Here you can learn about Bill Reid and the way he infused Haida traditions into his works. In a way, he helped build such important bridges between Indigenous and other peoples. The gallery’s mission is to raise awareness of Indigenous cultures and their values.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is the largest art museum by building size in Western Canada. Interesting fact, its building was originally a provincial courthouse. Its permanent collection has more than 12,000 works by Canadian and international artists and serves as a repository of art for the Lower Mainland region. One of its main focuses is First Nations art.
Among selected works, you will find paintings by Emily Carr, William Hogarth, Henry Fuseli, and many others.
You will never run out of things to see in VAG, as it also hosts various traveling exhibitions. It is a perfect place for art lovers and art students. There are plenty of quiet spots where you can enjoy art or even do your homework. After all, what’s a better place to work on your art analysis paper, if not an art gallery. You can also rely on a trustful academic essay writer service to save some time and work on your own art instead.
Vancouver Mural Festival
Organized by Create Vancouver Society, the festival is dedicated to artistic and cultural development. VMF’s goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect art and people and address many of the socio-cultural issues of the city and its artistic communities.
Toronto
Graffiti Alley
Toronto’s Graffiti Alley is all about vibrant street art. Not only it’s beautiful, but in a way, it has also helped to get rid of the stigma of graffiti being vandalism. An initiative started by the City of Toronto in 2012, StreetARToronto (StART), helped to decrease graffiti vandalism by replacing it with artistic murals and street art. Therefore, making a positive impact on the city of Toronto and giving people the Graffiti Alley.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
It is the leading public gallery in Canada dedicated exclusively to contemporary visual art. Here you can get acquainted with works by Peter Doig, Geoffrey Farmer, Fiona Banner, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Akram Zaatari, and many others. And also attend artist talks, lectures, symposia, film screenings, and other educational events. The Power Plant organizes and hosts more than 120 educational programs for the public every year.
