Entrance: $10 for adults. Children are free. Members (paid membership) also enter for free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible and completely stroller friendly Food: Feel free to bring your own snacks to eat in the family-friendly BMO learning centre on the main floor. Please do not bring food or drinks upstairs to the gallery space. The MacKenzie Art Gallery also has a cafe on site, Craft Services. Washrooms: Washrooms and changetables available for people of all genders.
The MacKenzie Art Gallery is a gorgeous space spanning over 100 000 square feet. The gallery features both traveling exhibits by world-renowned artists and an impressive permanent collection. Often the exhibits feature artwork that is playful or meant to be played with. For example, the wooden letters and characters in the photograph below could be walked on, hidden inside, and generally engaged with physically and playfully. Often at least one of the exhibits at any time will feature artwork of this nature. Note: If you are not certain that a piece can be touched or photographed, please ask one of the staff available in the gallery.
Public tours are offered every Saturday at 2pm at no cost and are great for kids (honestly)! Art is for everyone.
MacKenzie Art Gallery also offers birthday parties and field trips with hands-on experiences for children that are exciting and engaging.
Be sure to visit the BMO Learning Centre downstairs when visiting the gallery. The gift shop also has beautiful toys for children.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-5:30pm Thursdays 10am - 9pm Weekends and Holidays 11am-5:30pm * Masks are required to enter the MacKenzie Art Gallery
BMO Learning Centre
Temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic
The BMO Learning Centre provides hands-on, self guided programming for visitors of all ages. This is a family friendly play space free for people to use as they like. It is stocked with a variety of art materials, beautiful storybooks, oversized soft blocks, a community chalk mural, and more. There are little art invitations on all the tables that are connected to the exhibits upstairs. This is a beautiful and relaxed space where kids can be playful and free. This is one of my absolute favourite spaces in the city.
Studio Sundays
Drop-in every Sunday from 2-4pm (come and go) for hands-on activities and family friendly explorations of themes in the current MAG exhibitions. These sessions are led by a trained Gallery Facilitator. Click here to see what sessions and other events are coming up at the MacKenzie Art Gallery.
