Whether you’re an art lover, an aspiring artist or just looking for an indoor activity in the brutal winter weather, we’ve got some places in the GTA where you can appreciate art free of charge
By: Apurva Bhat
The Power Plant, a contemporary art gallery in Toronto, offers free admission all year round. (Donna Lay viaUnsplash)
Please note that some exhibitions and events may carry a separate charge where noted. Visiting the website or calling beforehand is recommended!
Let’s be honest, Toronto is an expensive city – and that just might be the understatement of the year. In fact, according to Mercer’s 2022 Cost Of Living survey, Toronto has overtaken Vancouver’s spot as the most expensive city in Canada. With a looming recession and rising costs, it’s difficult to find a fun experience that doesn’t have you dreading the state of your bank account the next day.
Even simply going to an art gallery, an experience that is meant to act as an escape from reality, can be costly these days. But unknown to many, Toronto has a wide range of art galleries that are often free to visit. Here are our recommendations:
The Power Plant
The Power Plant is a leading spot at the Harbourfront Centre located at 231 Queens Quay which offers free access to its gallery and programs all year round. The gallery exclusively displays contemporary art and is currently running the exhibition Artic/Amazon: Networks of Global Indigeneity until Dec. 31.
According to their website, the exhibition “explores the ways in which Indigenous contemporary artists and collaborators take on issues of climate change, globalized Indigeneity, and contact zones in and about the Arctic and the Amazon during a time of crisis.” The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They’re also open on Wednesdays until 8 p.m. if you’re looking for a late-night venture.
Market Gallery
Located on the second floor of St. Lawrence Market, the Market Gallery has a wide display of documents, film, photography and artwork that connect to Toronto’s history. According to the City of Toronto’s website, Market Gallery exhibitions provide audiences with “an in-depth look at Toronto’s past, present and future.” They’re open from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m and offer free general admission. They currently have an extremely intriguing exhibit running titled 60 Works/ 60 Years that showcases 60 works of art collected over the years from the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair.
Corkin Gallery
With the holiday season quickly approaching, there is no better time than now to visit the Distillery District. And while you’re there, you can also visit the Corkin Gallery located at 7 Tank House Lane. According to their website, they feature artists from around the world whose “voices and vision are trailblazing the ideas of tomorrow.” The Corkin Gallery is open to all from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Odon Wagner Gallery
Located at 196 Davenport Rd., the Odon Wagner Gallery presents works from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures. The gallery offers professional framing, restoration and appraisal services for aspiring art collectors. This 53-year-old gallery is currently running an exhibition by Harding Mayer titled Eye to Eye running till Dec. 24, 2022. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. They offer free admission to all!
Museum Of Contemporary Art
The Museum Of Contemporary Art, located at 158 Sterling Rd., is a 22-year-old museum and art gallery that offers free admission to all on the first Sunday of every month and every Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The ground level of the museum is also always free to visit!
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Located at 317 Dundas St. W, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), offers free admission on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Additionally, if you’re between the ages of 14 to 25, you can also sign up for a free annual pass that provides unlimited access to the gallery and its special exhibitions.
Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum, located at 77 Wynford Dr., also offers free admission on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission tickets can be reserved online at 9 a.m. on the day of.
The Image Centre
If you’re looking for a more downtown-accessible gallery, The Image Centre located at 33 Gould St. on the Toronto Metropolitan University campus is perfect for you! Although the gallery is currently closed for installations, they have several exciting exhibitions coming up starting Jan. 25, 2023! The gallery always offers free admission and solely focuses on photography and archival works. Additionally, the Peter Higdon Research Centre in the Image Centre has a wide collection of photographs that can be viewed by booking an appointment on their website.
Art galleries can be great avenues to destress, take a break or even discuss different interpretations of work. While appreciating art can be a costly hobby, with this list in mind, you’ll be able to aimlessly wander around art galleries to your heart’s content all winter long!