As Canada’s largest museum devoted exclusively to Canadian art, the McMichael is proud to celebrate Canadian artists of the past and present. In recent years, we have significantly expanded our exhibitions and acquisitions of Canadian living artists, with special emphasis on BIPOC and women artists. To support this work, we have established the McMichael Contemporary Art Circle to build community and resources around this initiative.

We would be delighted to have your solidarity as we make this exciting journey together, with an annual commitment of $5,000.

Recent highlights in our contemporary art programming include exhibitions of Meryl McMaster, Denyse Thomasos, Margaux Williamson, Rajni Perera, Brenda Draney, Robert Houle, Marie Claire Blais, Jen Aitken and Jon Sasaki, with upcoming projects by such leading artists as Sandra Meigs, Shary Boyle, Tim Gardner and Bill Burns. Most of our exhibitions tour nationally, and are accompanied by publications featuring essays by an impressive roster of literary figures (eg Esi Edugyan, Miriam Toews, Ben Lerner, Sheila Heti) as we seek to break down the silos between kindred creative pursuits. In many cases, we are creating the first solo publications in the artist’s career – a key milestone for any emerging talent.

The McMichael is actively expanding our collection of contemporary Canadian art. Recent acquisitions speak to the diversity of Canadian art today, with major works entering the collection by Rebecca Belmore, Zachari Logan, Dana Claxton, Howie Tsui, Denyse Thomasos, Pierre Dorion, An Te Liu, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Rajni Perera, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, Shary Boyle, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Alexa Hatanaka, Caroline Monnet and Nadia Myre. Such acquisitions allow us to reflect the culture of Canada today, providing vibrant and critical new contexts for our historic holdings of art by settler people.

The McMichael Contemporary Art Circle provides critical annual support for our curatorial initiatives; it’s a new community where collectors and patrons gather with artists and curators through unique programing and events. Circle members enjoy a rich relationship with both the gallery and the Canadian contemporary art world through distinct opportunities to meet and learn from the artists, McMichael curators, and their fellow collectors, all while serving as our important partners as we grow and change.

The McMichael has long been a place where people gather to celebrate Canadian art and the country we share. While our foundational collection is rooted in the paintings of the Group of Seven and in our rich historic holdings of Indigenous art, the Canadian story is changing, and we’re looking for your support as we tell that new story here at the gallery and across the country.