Art Gallery of Ontario's Extension Opens September 2027
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) announces that the museum extension will open to the public on September 25, 2027. Initiated in 2022, the ambitious expansion project is being led by architectural partners Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects, and Two Row Architect, and will provide a home for the museum’s rapidly growing collections of modern and contemporary art.
The project launched with a monumental lead gift of $35 million from Dani Reiss, Chairman and CEO of Canada Goose, member of the Order of Canada, and art collector. It is now fully funded, with an endowment secured to support ongoing operating costs, thanks to a strong community of supporters, the Government of Canada, and the Ontario government.
“The Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery is more than an expansion project – it is Toronto and Canada announcing its global position. When this gallery opens in September 2027, the world will be made aware of the strength of the AGO collection and the degree to which it has evolved to be truly global,” said Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The five-floor gallery will display nearly 400 artworks from the AGO’s extensive collections of modern and contemporary art. Full details about the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery’s opening program will be released in spring 2027.
“The AGO is one of Ontario’s truly world-class cultural institutions, with an innovative approach to art that makes it accessible, engaging, and exciting for visitors of all ages,” said Zee Hamid, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “The Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will be a stunning showcase for even more artists from Canada and around the world. The Ontario government is proud to support this once-in-a-generation expansion project.”
The museum extension is led by three architects working in collaboration: Diamond Schmitt (David Geffen Hall and National Arts Centre Rejuvenation), Selldorf Architects (The Frick Collection and upcoming Louvre Grande Colonnade), and Two Row Architect (Perry Centre for Native American Art and Woodland Cultural Centre gallery addition).
The expansion will overlook Grange Park, offering expansive new views in all directions and seamlessly connecting to the AGO’s Frank Gehry-designed transformation.
The 40,000-square-foot expansion increases the AGO’s space for displaying art by 30%, including monumental gallery spaces of 5,000 square feet with 23-foot ceilings. These new column-free galleries are highly functional and very flexible – dynamic enough to display the works of today’s great modern and contemporary artists, and adaptable to the needs of future generations of artists working across all media.
The design of the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery has been informed by consultation with Indigenous leaders and communities, led by Two Row Architect. These conversations and others were instrumental in leading the team to adopt adaptability, accessibility, inclusivity, meaningful materials, and a welcoming environment as their guiding principles.
Designed to operate without burning fossil fuel, the building has received CAGBC Zero Carbon Building Design certification. It is the first cultural institution of its size to be awarded this design certification in Canada. It has also been designed to Passive House standards for maximum heating and cooling efficiency.
This is the seventh expansion that the AGO has undertaken since it was founded in 1900. Construction began in 2024, with EllisDon serving as the Construction Manager.
Main Image: Rendering of Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, Art Gallery of Ontario. Courtesy of Art Gallery of Ontario, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects, Two Row Architect, and Play-Time.