Gallery Guidelines

These helpful tips will allow you to make the most of your visit to the AGO. For more details about Gallery hours, how to book your tickets and the additional health and safety measures being taken, please visit the reopening page here.

Protecting the Art

Please do not touch the artwork. Keep a safe distance of 1 metre (39 in.) between you and the works of art.

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing is in effect Gallery-wide. All visitors are asked to remain 2 metres apart. Signage throughout the gallery will advise how many people can safely be in each space at one time. Please follow the posted guidelines. Entry into the Gallery is currently only through the main doors on Dundas St. W. For details about timed-entry ticketing visit here.

To help maintain physical distancing rules, we encourage anyone visiting the AGO to keep their “social circles” to a maximum of 4 people.

Gallery and Elevator Capacity

Please wait your turn. There are a limited number of visitors allowed in each gallery space and elevator. The maximum visitor capacity is indicated on floor mats and signs located throughout the building.

Masks / Face Coverings

All visitors and staff over 2 years of age are required to wear a mask or face covering at all times while visiting the Gallery. Masks will be available for purchase. Please visit our FAQs section for more information.

Groups

The AGO is not hosting groups at this time. You can email Group Sales directly with any questions at groupsales@ago.ca

Maps

To create a touchless visitor experience, Gallery maps and handheld guides are not currently available. 

Coat check, Bags, and Knapsacks

The coat check is open. Please travel light, as wait times for coat check may be longer than usual. Visitors are asked to leave all oversized bags at home, and if they are able to wear their backpacks on the front side of their body.

Bags, knapsacks, briefcases, and parcels larger than 45 x 40 x 15 cm (18 x 16 x 6 in.) are not permitted in the galleries and will need to be checked in the coat check. Use of the unsupervised umbrella stand is free.

Photography

The AGO allows photography for personal use only, except where indicated. We ask that you respect the rights of artists and their representatives under Canadian copyright law. Selfie sticks are not permitted.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are not permitted in the Galleries. Sealed water bottles and baby bottles are allowed into gallery spaces but must be consumed in Walker Court or Galleria Italia. Should you wish to have privacy and a quiet space, a breastfeeding area is available on Level 2 in Gallery 231.

Cell Phones

Please turn your cell phone to the vibrate setting and be respectful of other visitors when using your cell phone.

Sketching

Due to limited capacity, and to allow for social distancing, sketching is not permitted at this time. Sketching will be permitted again once social distancing measures are relaxed.

On Wheels

Strollers are welcome in gallery spaces. Children’s wagons or buggies that are pulled behind the visitor are not permitted in gallery spaces.

Bicycles, helmets, skateboards, skate shoes, rollerblades and scooters are not permitted and we are unable to store them at this time.

Video Surveillance

For the protection of visitors, staff, volunteers and works of art, the Gallery is monitored by video surveillance.

Exceptions for Prohibited Items

Visitors to the AGO are now allowed to carry certain prohibited items into the galleries for specific medical conditions in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). These items may include water bottles, oversize bags with medical supplies, liquid medicines or other items.

The Protection Services Officer (PSO) at the front desk will approve visitors’ requests and will affix a visible sticker to the prohibited item(s) so that other staff throughout the Gallery will know permission has been given.

Limitation of Liability

Any public space where people come together, like the AGO, produces a risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Help keep each other healthy by following health & safety guidelines, maintaining social distancing, and wearing a face mask during your visit to the AGO. By being in public spaces like the AGO you voluntarily assume all the risks related to exposure.