McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Announces Temporary Closure on July 26, 2026
to Begin Landmark Redevelopment

“The McMichael Canadian Art Collection celebrates the Canadian and Indigenous experience, showcasing some of the finest art from across the country. Our government’s $50 million investment will support the redevelopment of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, protect its $750 million collection and secure the long-term future of one of Canada’s most iconic cultural institutions. By investing today, we are ensuring that families can experience these extraordinary works of art in a world-class setting for decades to come.”
— Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming”

“This is a defining moment for the McMichael and for the cultural life of our country. With the extraordinary support of the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, and the generosity of our donors, we are reimagining this beloved institution for the future—expanding our ability to share Canadian and Indigenous art, to educate and inspire, and to welcome more communities than ever before. We can’t wait to get started.”
— Andy Pringle, Chair, Board of Trustees, McMichael Canadian Art Collection

“We are delighted to be embarking on this exciting voyage forward, giving Canadians the world-class museum that our rich culture deserves, from coast to coast to coast, and from past to present. The McMichael is the place where it all comes together.”
— Sarah Milroy, Frances and Tim Price Executive Director and Chief Curator

“Our government is proud to support the redevelopment of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, with construction starting this fall. With Canadian sovereignty front and center, the McMichael redevelopment will protect this institution for another generation, promoting the values, identity, and symbols that define us. Ontario’s landmark $50 million investment will renew this iconic space in Vaughan as we stand up for Canada — the True North Strong and Free.”
— Stephen Lecce, Member of Provincial Parliament for King–Vaughan

• On April 8, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced an investment of up to $50 million to the McMichael capital campaign, to ensure that one of the country’s most important collections of Canadian and Indigenous art will continue to welcome and inspire visitors of all ages for generations to come.
• On March 3, 2025, the Government of Canada announced a $25 million investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program to support the McMichael’s redevelopment.
• Once completed, the project is expected to add an additional $20 million in visitor spend to the region.
• The McMichael’s permanent collection includes close to 8,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, Indigenous artists, and artists from the many diasporic communities that make up Canada today.
• In 1965, Robert and Signe McMichael offered to donate their collection—as well as their home and land—to the Province of Ontario. Eight months later, on July 8, 1966, the “McMichael Conservation Collection of Art” officially opened to the public.
• The gallery is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and receives ongoing support from the Ministry and the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is the largest museum in Canada dedicated exclusively to Canadian and Indigenous art, both historical and contemporary. The permanent collection consists of almost 8,000 artworks, including masterworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, and generations of Indigenous artists who have shaped and expanded the story of art in Canada. The collection continues to grow, with an increasing number of contemporary works that reflect the evolving narratives of Canadian art today. The McMichael is also the gallery of record for works on paper from the Inuit community of Kinngait (Cape Dorset) as custodians for the Kinngait Archive, which totals nearly 100,000 artworks. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an Agency of the Government of Ontario.