Ottawa Art Gallery
Ottawa's municipal art gallery, always free to visit. Features rotating exhibitions of Canadian, local, and international contemporary art. Open late Wednesday through Saturday until 9 PM. Located downtown near the Rideau Centre.
Features
About the Ottawa Art Gallery
The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) is Ottawa's municipal art gallery, located downtown on Mackenzie King Bridge, adjacent to the Arts Court complex and a short walk from the Rideau Centre. The gallery expanded into a striking new building in 2018, tripling its exhibition space.
Unlike the National Gallery of Canada, which charges admission, the OAG is always free. It's a strong option for a free afternoon of art — or a rainy day downtown.
What to See
- Rotating Exhibitions — The gallery presents changing exhibitions of contemporary art by local, national, and international artists. Exhibitions rotate regularly, so there's often something new to see
- Permanent Collection — The OAG holds over 1,200 works, with a focus on Ottawa-area artists
- The Firestone Collection — A significant collection of early 20th-century Canadian art, including works by the Group of Seven, housed within the gallery
Facilities
- Jackson Café — A café on the main level, open during gallery hours
- OAG Shop — Art books, prints, and gifts
- Lockers — Available on Level 1 ($1.00)
Visiting
- Hours: Tue & Sun 10 AM – 6 PM, Wed–Sat 10 AM – 9 PM, Closed Monday
- Admission: Always free. Donations welcomed
- Accessibility: Accessible entrance at 10 Daly Avenue. Para Transpo drop-off at the same address
- Parking: Street metered parking in Sandy Hill. Rideau Centre parkade (80 Nicholas Street) nearby
Getting There
- By Transit: Steps from Rideau Station (O-Train Line 1) and multiple OC Transpo bus stops along Mackenzie King Bridge
- On Foot: A 5-minute walk from the ByWard Market or Rideau Centre
- By Bike: Bike racks at the main entrance (50 Mackenzie King Bridge)
Information may change. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, let us know.
I run 613today on my own and I'm not affiliated with this venue. Place info may not be perfectly up to date. Please double-check with the official website before visiting, or contact the venue directly for any questions about it. If you spot anything wrong on this page, let me know.
Details
Upcoming Events
EEPMON
Thu, Sep 7
Free
Chaos Bloom – Tidal Wave
Thu, Jun 6
Free
Threshold
Tue, Jan 27
Free
Diatom Rose Window
Tue, Feb 3
Free
Faith Fyles: In Full Bloom
Sat, Mar 7
Free
Flightpaths: Initiations
Wed, Apr 8
Free
becoming|un|becoming: deepening relations
Sat, Apr 11
Free
Sàgàbigonì
Thu, Apr 16
Free
Intertwined
Fri, Apr 24
Free
Frame of Mind: 10 Years of Creative Space
Thu, Apr 30
Free
You might also like
AttractionNational Gallery of Canada
Downtown
Canada's premier art museum, housed in a landmark Moshe Safdie glass-and-granite building on Sussex Drive. Home to the world's most comprehensive collection of Canadian and Indigenous art, plus European masterworks and contemporary pieces — over 93,000 works in total. Free every Thursday evening 5–8 PM.
AttractionBank of Canada Museum
Downtown
A free, interactive museum exploring economics and monetary history. Home to the National Currency Collection with over 110,000 artifacts, plus hands-on exhibits including a rocket ship inflation simulator and a design-your-own banknote station.
AttractionBytown Museum
Downtown
Ottawa's oldest history museum, housed in the 1827 Commissariat Building at the foot of the Ottawa Locks. Tells the story of how Bytown became Canada's capital, from the construction of the Rideau Canal through the city's transformation into Ottawa.
AttractionCanadian Museum of Nature
Downtown
Canada's national natural history museum, housed in a landmark Victorian sandstone building. Features dinosaur fossils, a blue whale skeleton, the world's largest display of Canadian birds, and an Arctic gallery. Free Thursday evenings 5-8 PM for all.
AttractionCanadian War Museum
Downtown
Canada's national museum of military history, featuring four chronological galleries, a massive vehicle hall, and the architecturally striking Memorial Hall. Free admission every Thursday 5-7 PM.
AttractionNotre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Downtown
Ottawa's oldest and most architecturally significant church, designated a National Historic Site in 1990. The Gothic Revival basilica features twin 54.5-metre spires, 17 stained glass windows by Guido Nincheri, 30 life-sized carved wooden figures, and a vaulted ceiling painted blue with gold stars. Free to visit.
Want to add your place to 613today? It’s free!
Contact Us→