Plan Your School Visit
Inspire your class with the amazing art collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario! Explore and experience supported learning opportunities for a wide range of ages and educational needs.
We offer self-led visits, curriculum-focused school tours and artmaking activities, as well as virtual programs and classroom resources curated specifically for teachers.
Planning Your Visit
Educators, refer to our Teacher Resource page so you can tie your lesson planning to the many artworks on display at the AGO.
You are also welcome to come and preview the galleries prior to your visit to help with your planning.
Supervising and Organizing Your Students
Students 16 years of age and younger must be supervised by teachers and adult supervisors from their school/organization during all visits to the AGO.
We require the following ratios of adult supervisors to students:
- JK to Grade 3 – 1:5
- Grades 4 to 6 – 1:8
- Grades 7 and 8 – 1:10
- Grades 9 to 12 – 1:15
To encourage these ratios, all chaperone tickets are complimentary.
Directions
The Gallery is located at 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G4.
Bus
Buses can pull up in front of the AGO on Dundas Street West for drop-off and pick-up only.
Enter through the Group Entrance to the Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC), located on Dundas Street West near Beverley Street, at the west end of the AGO.
Bus Parking
Visit Motor Coach and Bus Parking Information for Toronto for further information on parking for charter buses.
Car Parking
The AGO’s Main Entrance on Dundas Street West is for drop-off and pick-up only. Visit http://toronto.bestparking.com to find parking options near the Gallery.
Transit
Subway
The closest TTC subway stop to the AGO is St. Patrick station on the Yonge-University-Spadina line. It is three blocks from the Gallery or a five-minute walk.
St. Patrick is an accessible subway station with an elevator.
Exit the subway station and walk west on Dundas Street West. You will pass Simcoe Street and St. Patrick Street on the way. Then, at McCaul Street, you will see the AGO on the left-hand or south side of Dundas. Visit the TTC website for transit maps and schedules.
Dundas Streetcar
If you're taking the 505 Dundas streetcar from the east, get off at McCaul Street. If you're arriving from the west, get off at Beverley Street. The streetcar stops are located conveniently right in front of the AGO.
Spadina Streetcar
If you are arriving on the 510 Spadina streetcar from the north or south, get off at Dundas Street and walk east along Dundas. You will see the AGO on the right-hand side when you reach Beverley Street. It is three blocks from Spadina or about a five-minute walk.
Visit the TTC website for transit maps and schedules.
Walking
Walk from the Eaton Centre
Walk west on Dundas Street and you will see the AGO on the left-hand side when you reach McCaul Street (three blocks past University Avenue). The walk is about 10 minutes.
Walk from the CN Tower
Walk north on John Street to the south edge of Grange Park, where the street ends.
As you walk through the park you will see the tall, tinted titanium-and-glass south wing of the Gallery. Head west to Beverley Street or east to McCaul Street to enter the building from Dundas Street West.
Upon Arriving at the AGO
The Gallery is located at 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G4.
School groups enter through the Group Entrance to the Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC), located on Dundas Street West near Beverley Street, at the west end of the AGO.
The AGO’s Main Entrance on Dundas Street West is for drop-off and pick-up only.
Proceed through the Group Entrance doors, turn right and head down the stairs to the Education Commons in the Weston Family Learning Centre. There is elevator access to the WFLC on the left of the entrance doors.
Group Leader: Please direct your students to an open table, then proceed straight to the WFLC Ticket Kiosk, located at the bottom of the stairs. AGO Staff will register your group, process your payment and provide you with tickets/wristbands. AGO Staff will also show you a Coat Rack for coats, backpacks and bags.
Self-led groups will be directed to your Coat Rack area by AGO staff.
Coat Rack: The Coat Rack in the Weston Family Learning Centre is available for use by school groups only, however it is unattended, so we recommend students leave valuable items at home. At 3 pm, the Coat Rack will be raised and any remaining items will be relocated to Coat Check on the Main Level near the Main Entrance. The Art Gallery of Ontario is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
Guided tour or Artmaking visits will be greeted by your AGO Art Educator at the tables.
Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your program time, so your students have time to hang up their bags and coats and use the washrooms prior the start of their program.
Running Late?
Please let us know ASAP if your group is running late by calling us at 416 979 6608.
We will do our best to accommodate but unfortunately most program times cannot be extended for late arrivals. For groups that arrive late, their programs will take place during the remaining time available.
Lunch Space
Lunch tables can be reserved in 30-minute time slots by request for Guided or Artmaking visits. Please contact us for details.
Unreserved lunch tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis in 30-minute time slots.
Students must be supervised during this time.
Please note we no longer serve student lunch options. Please make sure to bring a lunch or be prepared to purchase from local restaurants.
Gallery Guidelines
Coat Check, Bags and Knapsacks
All coats, large bags, backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the Coat Rack area. Please travel light.
Please do not allow your students to crawl under or hang from the Coat Rack.
Food and Drink
Food (including gum) and drinks are not allowed in the galleries.
Assignments or Sketching
If assignments or sketching are being done in the galleries, please make sure your materials meet the AGO’s requirements:
- no clipboards: only sketchbooks or pads 35 x 25 cm. or smaller
- no pens: pencils only
- no erasers
Protecting the Art
Do not touch the artwork. Please keep a safe distance of at least one (1) metre (39 in.) between you and the works of art.
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.
Cell Phones
Please turn your cell phone to the vibrate setting and be respectful of other visitors when using your cell phone.
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 and 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.
Artmaking Guidelines for All
- The artmaking space is a creative environment; positive language and personal encouragement are a priority.
- Use all art materials and equipment in the studio space as instructed by staff. Teachers and adult supervisors need to assist with safety.
- Walk in the studio to prevent accidents (no running or sliding).
- Clean up all the art materials and equipment you’ve used before leaving the studio.
- Wear comfortable and washable clothes because creativity can be a messy process!
(Aprons are not provided.)