The National Gallery of Canada is located in Ottawa, the county’s capital city, on the bank of the Ottawa River.
Established in 1880 with only one (!) painting in the collection, the Gallery now has more than 75,000 artworks and an impressive collection of library and archival holdings.
The modern building that the Gallery currently calls home is actually the fifth space that the collection has been housed in. When it was formed in 1880, the Gallery was in the Clarendon Hotel. It was then moved to the Supreme Court Building in 1882, Victoria Hall in 1888, the Victoria Memorial Museum in 1911, the Lorne Building in 1960, and then to its present location, the National Gallery of Canada, in 1988.
There are multiple reasons to visit this stunning gallery, including these seven that stood out to me on my last visit.
1. The range of artwork
The Gallery has an incredible variety of artwork ranging from historic pieces all the way to those created in the present day.
You will find one of the most impressive collections of traditional and modern Indigenous art and Canadian art in the world.
More than just paintings, wandering through the Gallery, you will also see clothing, photography, sculpture, installations, and decorative arts.
2. The way that the artwork is displayed
Instead of being hung by artist, genre, or era, the artwork in the gallery is displayed in a unique mix of historic and modern traditional Indigenous artwork with European-influenced, modern works.
It makes for a fascinating wander, as in one moment, you will be looking at a traditional, romantic-era landscape and then turn around and be looking at a black-and-white Haida circle painting. Or, you will find yourself viewing Inuit animal soapstone sculptures while surrounded by large-scale abstract paintings.
It’s a delightful mix that is both surprising and interesting, and makes for a thoroughly engaging experience.
3. Free Thursday nights
Every Thursday night from 5 pm to 8 pm, you can visit the Gallery for free!
Three hours should be more than enough time for you to wander through the various Galleries if you are worried about time, as long as you don’t pause for too long in the chapel or atriums (see below).
4. The Rideau Chapel
Down a non-descript ramp, around a corner, and through a normal-looking door is one of the most stunning and unexpected sights that you will see in the Gallery.
The Rideau Street Chapel, once part of the Our Lady of the Sacred Hearts boarding school in Ottawa, was saved when the building was pulled down, and completely reconstructed in the gallery. The architecture itself is stunning, but what was even more amazing, at the time of my visit in 2022, was Janet Cardiff’s Forty-Part Motet.
Called a sound sculpture, Cardiff reworked a 16th-century song called Spem in Alium and separately recorded 40 different voices singing the piece. Forty different speakers placed around the room play the voices to the listeners who sit on benches in the middle of the chapel surrounded by sound.
It is a can’t miss experience. Check out this link to hear the piece and see the chapel.
5. The peaceful central spaces
There are two beautiful atriums that all of the main gallery spaces surround — the Michael and Sonja Koerner Family Atrium and the Fred and Elizabeth Fountain Garden Court.
The Atrium has a glass-bottomed pool, one wall covered in bronze sculptures, and other art installations. It is topped by large skylights and has ample seating where you can sit, take in the art, or contemplate the pieces that you have viewed in the Gallery so far.
The Garden contains greenery, limestone rocks, and a little pathway made of limestone. There are places to sit and view the peaceful Garden on the main level, but also on the level above.
6. The gift shop
One of my favorite places in any Gallery or Museum is the gift shop because they always have a fantastic selection of art books.
This boutique does not disappoint, with an impressive collection of books in both French and English, art cards, posters, stationery, jewelry, accessories, and toys.
7. The location
That Gallery is located in a walkable area of the city right near some of the most vibrant neighborhoods.
Canada’s parliament buildings sit high on the riverbank and can be viewed from the Gallery gardens, as can Gatineau just across the river, and you are just steps away from the ByWard Market area full of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Planning your visit
Admission: $20 for adults (all admission fees here)
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, until 8 pm on Thursday
Address: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Learn more about the Gallery and any special exhibits here.
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Meet The Author
Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
When visiting big cities, it is easy to assume that their art galleries are going to be impressive and well worth spending an afternoon in, but as I have often discovered, this is not always the case.
But how do you know if a gallery is going to be worth visiting, or not? This post is a good place to start!