AGO to close temporarily | Art Gallery of Ontario

During these unprecedented times, the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, visitors and the broader community remains our utmost priority. It is for this reason we closed our doors to the public on March 13, and why we believe the best course of action at this time is to remain closed until further notice.

Now more than ever, art can help lift our spirits and support our wellbeing.

Since closing our doors, we have been looking at how we can connect with our AGO community and beyond. On March 27 we launched AGO from Home, a new way to enjoy the museum at any time from wherever you may be. Bringing you into the building virtually, AGO from Home gives everyone a chance to engage with art, and our AGO team, through interesting and diverse stories, videos and closer looks at artwork as well as some DIY and How-To videos.

AGO from Home is our way of staying connected and help get through this together. Even from a distance, art can bring us together.

In the coming days and weeks, we should know more about what lies ahead, including the impacts the closure will have on our exhibition and program schedules.

We will continue to contact customers who have booked tickets, events or programming to arrange refunds or exchanges. Due to staffing limits during this closure, the Contact Centre will be closed. Please contact us via email at contactus@ago.ca with any questions, concerns, or requests and we will endeavor to respond as soon as possible. For our AGO Members and Annual Pass Holders we will be assessing your renewal dates and will advise of any changes once the museum reopens.

We remain committed to engaging our community through great art and online content during these unprecedented times. As a non-profit arts organization, we deeply appreciate your continued support.

The doors to our building may be closed, but please enjoy our online collections, sign up for the AGOinsider, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

For up-to-date health information, please visit www.toronto.ca/coronavirus, www.ontario.ca/coronavirus or www.canada.ca/coronavirus.

COVID-19 closure FAQs

Will the expiry date of my Membership / Annual Pass change?

Our Members and Annual Pass Holders mean the world to us. Your unwavering support of the AGO is deeply appreciated – especially during this unprecedented time. To ensure our Members and Annual Pass Holders can continue to enjoy all the great experiences the Gallery has to offer as we safely reopen, we are prepared to offer an extension to your expiry date to reflect the length of time you’ve missed during our closure. We can't wait to welcome you back!

Please contact us via email at contactus@ago.ca with any questions, concerns or requests about your General Membership or Annual Pass and we will respond as soon as possible.

Curators’ Circle and AGO Next: In recognition of their philanthropic support, Curators’ Circle and AGO Next members will receive an additional tax receipt in lieu of a membership extension, reflecting the value of benefits not received during the AGO’s closure.

Corporate Members: to honor our members, Corporate Members will have the opportunity to extend their membership to reflect the length of time they've missed during our closure or receive 10 tickets to the AGO. For more information or questions, please contact Madeleine Dalkie (madeleine.dalkie@ago.ca) or call 416-979-6660 x 6292.

I have purchased tickets during the period the gallery is closed, will I receive a refund?

Yes, everyone who purchased a ticket for a visit or an event taking place during the closure period will receive a refund. We will be contacting customers who have booked tickets, events or programming to arrange for refunds or exchanges.

Has AGO Art Camp, summer 2020 been impacted?

On May 29, we announced the cancellation of AGO Art Camp, summer 2020. This decision has been made in consideration of the recommendations made by public health officials and the best advice from our fellow camp colleagues and members of the Ontario Camp Association. Our foremost responsibility will always be the safety and welfare of our campers, employees and volunteers.

Registrants will be receiving a full refund of all camp charges. This includes camp fees, extended care fees and meal plan fees.

Check in regularly at AGO.ca for activities, videos and other great content to keep your creativity flowing. Please share your creations with us using the hashtag #AGOmakes, we'd love to see them. And, stay tuned for new online opportunities to learn, create and engage with the AGO this summer.

What does this mean for Adult and Child & Youth Courses taking place during this time?

All one-day workshops and all 5- and 10-week courses have been cancelled through to June 2020. Registered participants will be reimbursed the full cost of their purchase when the AGO reopens.

Will the AGO be offering more courses once you reopen?

Our team is working on adding new course offerings for when the gallery reopens. Updates will be posted on our website when they become available.

How will AGO exhibitions be impacted by the closure of the gallery?

In the coming days and weeks, we should know more about what lies ahead, including the impacts the closure will have on our exhibition schedule. We will continue to be guided by the advice of public health officials, consider all government recommendations and will make decisions as needed regarding any additional measures we may need to take. Updates will be posted on our website when they become available.

The doors to our building may be closed, but please enjoy our online collections and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

I have questions about Curators' Circle, AGO Next, Corporate Membership or my donation to the AGO. Who can I contact?

If you are inquiring about your Curators' Circle or AGO Next membership, please contact Leah Rakopoulos by email (leah.rakopoulos@ago.ca) or call 416.979.6660 x 6526. For donation inquiries, please contact Norah Farrell by email (norah.farrell@ago.ca) or call 416.979.6660 x 6815. For Corporate Memberships, please email Madeleine Dalkie (madeleine.dalkie@ago.ca) or call 416.979.6660 x 6292.

You can also visit AGO.ca/donate to make a charitable donation.

Is your Contact Centre open?

Due to staffing limits at this time, the Contact Centre is operating in a reduced capacity. Our phone lines are open Wednesday-Friday from 9 am – 5 pm. Please contact us via email at contactus@ago.ca with any questions, concerns, or requests and we will respond as soon as possible.

When did the AGO announce it was closing to the public?

On the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) temporarily closed to the public at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020.

When will the AGO reopen to the public?

We simply do not know how long our federal, provincial and municipal officials will keep a state of emergency in effect, or how long physical distancing will be required to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is for this reason, we believe the best course of action at this time is to remain closed until further notice.