The AGO First Thursday in July is an explosion of sound and technology, taking its inspiration from the major exhibition Lost in the Memory Palace: Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller.

See some of Toronto’s best and brightest emerging artists kick off the summer season of First Thursdays! Walker Court goes queer for the night, with performances by VAG HALEN, Light Fires, and a DJ set by the Mighty Real DJs.

VAG HALEN take centre stage in Walker Court just one week after making their international debut at the Venice Biennale, where they are playing the opening of Toronto artist Shary Boyle’s installation at the Canadian pavilion.

Thanks for helping to make the first season of Art Gallery of Ontario’s 1^st Thursdays a runaway success! After a month off to catch our (and your) breath, get ready for a whole new season of 1^st Thursdays, starting May 2, when we celebrate the exhibition Revealing the Early Renaissance: Stories and Secrets in Florentine Art!

Francis Bacon and Henry Moore: Terror and Beauty Opening Party

On April 3, the AGO offers a sneak preview of the blockbuster new exhibition Francis Bacon and Henry Moore: Terror and Beauty with a special opening celebration at First Thursdays. See the exhibition before it opens to the public, and don’t miss unforgettable performances by two of Toronto’s most exciting musicians, U.S.

Thanks to all those who helped make our 1st Thursday in January another sell-out success! For the Feb. 7, 2013, 1^st Thursday, students from OCAD U's Graduate Studies Criticism and Curatorial Practices program took the reins and put together an evening of programming entitled City Scrawl: Urban Intersections.

BACK TO THE GARDEN: Reimagining the Canadian Landscape

Programming Highlights

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The art party continues on December 6 with a night focused on Frida & Diego, featuring a headlining performance by Polaris Prize–shortlisted band Yamantaka//Sonic Titan and a showstopping Frida-inspired performance installation by iconic Toronto artist Nina Arsenault. Guests can also expect art-making stations in the galleries, curator tours, and other surprises.

The art party continues on November 1 with a night all about photography. We’ll announce the winner of the $50,000 Grange Prize for Contemporary Photography live in Walker Court.  Stacey McKenzie will host and Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin will present the prize.

We're kicking off a new monthly late-night art event, including artists with their work, exhibition openings and tours, free art making, live music and DJs, great food and drinks.

On Oct. 4, join us in celebrating the exhibition Evan Penny: Re Figured with special musical guest Bahamas.

Legendary Toronto-based artist, filmmaker, writer and photographer Bruce LaBruce takes over First Thursdays to celebrate the launch of Toronto's first-ever Pride Month, with a series of electrifying performances exploring diverse visions of queerness.