Vancouver Art Gallery
Discover Western Canada's largest art gallery, housed in a stunning heritage courthouse in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Located in a magnificent 1906 heritage courthouse, the Vancouver Art Gallery is the cultural heart of the city. The building itself is a work of art, with grand columns and a central dome, but inside you'll find an even greater treasure: a collection of over 12,000 works. As the largest art institution in Western Canada, the gallery is a vital space for British Columbia's artistic community and a premier destination for groundbreaking exhibitions from around the world.
Why Visit the Vancouver Art Gallery?
- Emily Carr Collection: The gallery holds the most significant collection of works by Emily Carr, one of Canada's most renowned and beloved artists.
- British Columbia Art: Explore an extensive collection of works by the province's most important historical and contemporary artists.
- World-Class Exhibitions: In addition to its permanent collection, the gallery hosts a dynamic schedule of touring exhibitions from across Canada and around the globe.
- Historic Architecture: The gallery is housed in the former provincial courthouse, a stunning neoclassical building that is a landmark in its own right.
- Central Location: Situated at Robson Square, it's a hub of downtown activity and easily accessible by SkyTrain.
What to See & Do
- Explore the Permanent Collection: See iconic works by Emily Carr and the Group of Seven, as well as pieces by contemporary BC artists like Jeff Wall.
- View the Latest Exhibition: Check the gallery's website to see which major national or international exhibition is currently on display.
- Visit the Gallery Store: Browse a curated selection of books, jewelry, and unique gifts related to art and design.
- Relax at Robson Square: The gallery's front steps are a popular public gathering place, often hosting markets, protests, and performances. It's a great spot for people-watching.
Food & Drink Options
- 1931 Gallery Bistro: The gallery's on-site restaurant offers a menu of contemporary bistro fare. Its hidden rooftop patio is one of downtown's best-kept secrets for a coffee or glass of wine on a sunny day.
- Nearby Restaurants: Being on Robson Street, the gallery is surrounded by a huge variety of cafes, restaurants, and quick-bite options.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Check for Free/By-Donation Nights: The gallery often offers admission by donation on Tuesday evenings. Check their website to confirm current offers and times.
- Start from the Top: The gallery's layout can be confusing. A good strategy is to take the elevator to the top floor and work your way down.
- New Gallery Coming Soon: The Vancouver Art Gallery is in the process of building a new, larger home at a nearby site, set to open in the coming years.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Robson Street: Vancouver's premier shopping street is right at the gallery's doorstep.
- CF Pacific Centre: A major downtown shopping mall is just across the street.
- Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art: A beautiful gallery dedicated to Indigenous art is just a 3 minute walk north on Hornby Street.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Vancouver Art Gallery Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7, Canada
Phone: (604) 662-4700
Official Website: Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Art Gallery Reviews
Rated out of 5
For a $36.75 ca after tax it's most expensive considering that it only displays 3 galleries, and one of them closed for maintenance.
Outside building is truly art and the main double stairs leading up, too.
The Emily carr show room is kind of confuse to follow the path to appreciate the evolution of her paintings, because there are corners that go nowhere, also I found 3 light fixtures above art not working. Second show room was more of an art and crafts installations with videos. I was expecting more of true indigenous art given the massive advertisement outside building :/.
I hope this gets better with the ticket to return for 3rd gallery room when open.
liliana verte - 3 months ago
It was very busy because free Friday, but we had an amazing time the exhibits were interesting with quite a few video installations and an art film. It took 3 hours to go through comfortable and the best exhibits in my opinion was Cease Wyss 's sanctuary on the 4th floor and the Plastic whale in a plastic ocean.
T Leone - a week ago
I really enjoyed my visit to this art gallery. I went on the first Friday of the month since it was free! We had to wait about an hour in line, so I recommend arriving around 3:15 p.m. because the line gets quite long quite fast. It’s a great indoor activity for a cloudy day, very student-friendly and budget-friendly.
Tomris - 6 months ago
I learned a lot about Canadian art and Indigenous culture by visiting this museum. I only wished that the museum had been bigger or had larger collections. One of the floors was being prepared for an exhibition, so we just missed out on seeing that. Maybe discounted tickets could be made available when the full museum is not accessible - just a thought - but I really liked what was there and liked how inclusive and accessible they had designed the museum, for anyone to come and visit. There were young children, as well as older adults, and there was also a wheelchair user visiting while I was there, who seemed to be able to navigate their way through the museum quite well (at least the ground floor anyway). Great gift shop too with such lovely staff members!
Meghánn Ward - 2 months ago
A great place to pause and reflect! We really loved the interactive exhibition that they had for Nan Goldin, who is a brilliant artist. A beautiful selection of indigenous art throughout the gallery, as well.
Jasmine Filpula - 4 months ago
Directions
| SkyTrain Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Line | Burrard Station | 4 Minutes |
| Canada Line | Vancouver City Centre | 2 Minutes |
How to get to Vancouver Art Gallery by SkyTrain
No bus needed. From Burrard Station (Expo Line), exit onto Burrard Street and walk one block south to Georgia Street. Turn left and walk one block east to Hornby Street.
From Vancouver City Centre Station (Canada Line), exit onto Georgia Street and walk one block west to Hornby Street.
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Accommodations near Vancouver Art Gallery:
Photo Gallery
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Vancouver Art Gallery and Centennial Fountain cc licensed photo by Rodefeld -
Photo Credit: Edna Winti - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: cogdogblog - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Edna Winti - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Edna Winti - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Imohux - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: cogdogblog - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Shrie Bradford Spangler - cc license via Flickr
