Susanne Canada’s capital has many sights to see and the National Gallery of Canada is one of its treasures. I will have the opportunity to visit Ottawa myself this coming weekend and in anticipation of this excursion I have been doing a lot of research about Ottawa and its attractions.
To find out more about the National Gallery of Canada I contacted Katja Canini from the Gallery who was able to give me a lot of useful background information about this Canadian institution.
National Gallery of Canada
1. Please tell us about the history of the National Gallery of Canada.
In 2005 the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) celebrated the 125th Anniversary of its founding in 1880 by the then Governor General, the Marquess of Lorne, and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. With the enactment of the 1913 National Gallery of Canada Act, the Federal Government assumed responsibility for the fledgling institution. The Government continued its stewardship through successive acts of parliament, culminating in the Museums Act of July 1, 1990, which established the Gallery as a crown Corporation and confirmed the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP) as an affiliate of the National Gallery of Canada.
Norval Morrisseau
Indian Jesus Christ 1974
acrylic on paper
134.6 x 68.5 cm
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Gatineau, Quebec
© Norval Morrisseau
2. Where is it located?
The National Gallery of Canada is located in Ottawa, Ontario at 380 Sussex Drive. To get to the NGC from highway 417, take the Metcalfe exit. Follow Metcalfe Street around the Museum of Nature and continue northbound until you reach the end of the street at Wellington. You will see Parliament Hill. Turn right onto Wellington Street and continue in the left-hand lane until you reach Sussex Drive. As you approach Sussex Drive, you will see the Chateau Laurier hotel on your left-hand side. Make a left turn onto Sussex Drive and continue until you see the Gallery, to your left, at the corner of St. Patrick and Sussex. The Gallery is a large glass building with two octagonal towers. Just beyond the St Patrick/Sussex intersection you will see the left-turn lane to enter the Gallery’s underground parking. The National Gallery’s underground parking garage; $1.50 per half-hour, up to a maximum daily charge of $8.50. Evening rate (after Gallery closing) $4.25. Discount for Members is $6.50
Please call (613) 990-1985 for more information, if you are outside the National Capital region please call 1-800-319-2787 for TDD please call (613) 990-0777.
Louise Bourgeois
Maman 1999 (cast 2003)
Bronze, stainless steel, marble
927 x 891 x 1024 cm
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
© Louise Bourgeois
3. What are the opening hours?
The Gallery’s winter hours from October 1 – April 30 are as follows open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday to 8 pm. From May 1 – September 30 the Gallery is open 7 days a week, Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am – 5pm, Thursday to 8pm. The Gallery is also open during the Quebec and Ontario schools’ Spring Break, Easter Monday and Thanksgiving Day; it is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and January 1.
4. What are the admission fees?
PERMANENT COLLECTION;
Adults $6
Seniors $5
Full-time students $5
Youths (12–19) $3
Family (2 adults, 3 youths) $12
Free for children under 12 and for Friends of the NGC
Free Thursdays after 5 pm (permanent collection only)
SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Norval Morrisseau 3 February – 30 April 2006
Adults $12
Seniors $10
Full-time students $10
Youths (12-19) $5
Family (2 adults, 3 youths) $24
Free for children under 12 and for Friends of the NGC
* Includes admission to the permanent collection.
National Gallery of Canada
