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McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, home to one of the foremost collections of Canadian and Indigenous art, announced today that it will temporarily close to the public on the evening of July 26, 2026, to begin a landmark redevelopment of its building and grounds. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and to be completed in 2029.
This once-in-a-generation renewal, supported by major investments from the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and philanthropic partners, will remake the McMichael into a world-class museum for the 21st century—a beacon of accessibility, environmental sustainability and artistic excellence.
This critically acclaimed exhibition of more than 100 works is a resounding affirmation of the depth, diversity, and vitality of Indigenous art in Canada, and includes many acquisitions new to the McMichael’s permanent collection. The presentation spans more than two centuries — from 18th-century ceremonial regalia and trade items to the groundbreaking work of artists from the 1960s through the 1980s, to powerful contemporary pieces by the leading artists of today.
This summer, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection is proud to present a trio of exhibitions that centre the vision and voices of Canadian women artists. Through drawing, gel transfer, sculpture, and documentary photography, Sandra Brewster, Iris Häussler, and Rita Leistner invite viewers to engage deeply with landscapes—whether through the symbolic waters of Guyana’s Essequibo River, the forested grounds surrounding the McMichael, or the clear-cut terrain of British Columbia.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection proudly presents Morrice in Venice, a new exhibition celebrating Canadian modernist James Wilson Morrice’s evocative depictions of one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. Opening May 31 and running through September 21, 2025, the exhibition draws on the groundbreaking research of distinguished art historian Sandra Paikowsky, and brings together a remarkable selection of Morrice’s canvases, pochades, and sketches, sourced from major public galleries and private collections across Canada. Together, these works reveal Morrice’s distinctive vision of Venice.
The Ontario government is investing up to $50 million over three years to update and expand the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (McMichael) facility and grounds in Kleinburg. This capital funding will ensure one of the country’s largest collections of Canadian and Indigenous art will be ready to welcome and inspire visitors of all ages for generations to come.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is proud to steward the Kinngait Drawings Archive, a remarkable collection of 90,000 works owned by the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op (WBEC). Transferred to the McMichael’s care in 1990, this vast archive chronicles over four decades of artistic production from the Arctic community of Kinngait (formerly Cape Dorset), Nunavut. These drawings illuminate the origins of Kinngait’s globally acclaimed graphic arts tradition, offering an invaluable glimpse into Inuit life during a time of profound cultural transformation.
Today, the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge, and Sarah Milroy, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, announced a federal investment of $25 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
On February 8, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will unveil a solo exhibition of recent works by acclaimed Toronto-based conceptual artist Derek Sullivan. The exhibition showcases Sullivan’s signature large-scale drawings, born from his year-long exploration of Shift (1970), a landmark land art installation by renowned American sculptor Richard Serra, located in King, Ontario.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is proud to unveil its 2025 exhibition schedule, which showcases the dynamic interplay between Canada's rich artistic heritage and the voices shaping contemporary art today. This year's lineup spans a broad spectrum of Canadian creativity, offering visitors the chance to rediscover beloved masterpieces and engage with fresh perspectives that challenge and inspire.
On December 7, the McMichael will open John Scott: Firestorm, a powerful and timely retrospective of the work of the late Canadian artist John Scott (1950–2022) that foregrounds his lifelong examination of cycles of conflict, retaliation and resilience, and the complexities of human experience. Spanning four decades of work, Firestorm features paintings, drawings, and sculptures that reveal Scott’s preoccupation with violence, surveillance, and the omnipresent threat of nuclear conflict. Known for his bold and provocative imagery, Scott’s work critiques tyrannical power while expressing deep empathy for human vulnerability.
On November 23, Clarence Gagnon's beloved suite of paintings for Maria Chapdelaine returned to the walls of McMichael Canadian Art Collection just in time for the holiday season. The series of 54 exquisite miniature paintings offers visitors a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Gagnon's enchanting vision of Quebec's rural past.
