The National Gallery of Canada
Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada is one of the largest art museums in North America. The building occupies 46,621 square metres and includes 12,400 square metres of space for displaying art. You’ll glad you read this!
Historical significance
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, the National Gallery of Canada is the most important and prestigious collection of Canadian art. The collection includes works by a variety of artists from across the country and around the world. The Gallery is also home to the largest and most distinguished collection of European art in the country.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Ottawa became an important centre for fine arts. As Canada became a nation, talented individuals from all over the world sought opportunities in the country. The city was able to support their artistic efforts through government jobs or private patronage.
Ottawa artists participated in activities organized by the National Gallery. They also participated in the activities of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
As Ottawa became a cultural hub, new artists sought commissions and bought art. The National Gallery’s purchasing department bought works by Degas, Cezanne, Rembrandt, and Monet.
Curating
Several senior staff members at the National Gallery of Canada have been laid off. This comes less than six months after former director Sasha Suda left. And it comes just before a new director is being considered.
A recent internal memo sent to staff says that the Gallery has decided to cut four of its most senior staff members. The layoffs include a senior Indigenous art curator, a longtime Canadian art curator, an executive curator and a senior communications manager.
The layoffs follow the departure of former director Sasha Suda in July. Suda resigned after announcing that Indigenous knowledge would be a central part of the Gallery’s mission. She was also rebranding the National Gallery as Ankose.
Other senior staff members who have been laid off include former curator Greg Hill, who was the Museum’s first Indigenous curator. Hill worked at the National Gallery for 22 years. During that time, he criticized the Gallery’s decolonization agenda. He argued that the gallery should hire someone who would promote positive relations between Indigenous groups. Visit another area in town here.
Collections
Founded in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada is Canada’s national art museum and is home to the largest collection of Canadian and European art in the world. The gallery features works from antiquity to the present, including paintings, sculpture, photography, and works from various artistic traditions. It is also home to the largest collection of contemporary Indigenous art in the world.
The museum has acquired works from many regions, including works from New France, India, and Tibet. The museum has a collection of over 28,000 works. The museum’s prints and drawings collection is particularly rich, with 2,500 drawings by European artists and 10,000 works by American artists. The museum also has works by many Asian artists, including over 400 works from Nepal.
The National Gallery of Canada has a library that includes over 50,000 auction catalogues, over 182,000 slides, and over 275,000 books. The library also serves as an institutional archive, collecting items related to the history of Canadian art. It is also affiliated with the Canadian Heritage Information Network.
Location
Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada is one of the most prominent art museums in North America. This museum is home to a permanent collection of over 30,000 works of art. The museum also presents renowned temporary exhibits every year.
The National Gallery is housed in a glass and granite building located on Sussex Drive. The building was designed by Moshe Safdie and Associates. It contains a total floor area of 46,621 square meters, and 132,700 square feet of galleries. The building’s Great Hall offers sweeping views of the Ottawa River. It also features a separate curatorial wing.
The museum’s Prints and Drawings collection consists of over 10,000 prints by European and Canadian artists. The collection also includes works by Asian and American artists. The Photographic Collection includes works by Canadian photographers, as well as films.
Accessibility
Designed by Moshe Safdie & Associates, the National Gallery of Canada is one of Canada’s most iconic exhibition venues. The museum is committed to providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive experience for all visitors, and the staff are focused on creating a safe and welcoming environment.
The National Gallery has a full suite of accessible features. For example, adapted tours are available three weeks in advance, and visitors with low vision can book accessible tours. Other features include accessible washrooms and audio guides. Visitors can use a wheelchair or scooter for free, and support persons can also get free admission.
The National Gallery of Canada is located next to the Canadian Mint and ByWard Market district. Its main building has a total floor area of 46,621 square metres. Continue reading about Strathcona Park.
Driving directions from Ottawa Piano Mover to National Gallery of Canada
Driving directions from National Gallery of Canada to Strathcona Park