AGO reveals what its major expansion will look like

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) released renderings this week of a major expansion that will add 40,000 square feet to the museum, tied to a donation from the chairman and chief executive officer of Canada Goose.
The $35-million gift will result in at least 13 new galleries “united” by consistent and clean finishes, spanning across five floors, according to the AGO.
Art Gallery of Ontario external rendering by Play-time, courtesy of AGO, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect.
External renderings of the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery – named after the Canada Goose donor – show a boxy building mounted on the museum’s curved entrance structure.
Inside renderings depict column-free galleries with high ceilings and hypothetical gallery-goers hovering around modern art pieces in wide open spaces. The open-ended structural capacity will make it possible to bring in complex immersive installations, according to the AGO.
The gallery said one of the cornerstone principles for the project is to take the open space as an opportunity to shape it around the works they are displaying, dividing galleries into more intimate spaces when the art calls for it. These new additions will connect with four locations within pre-existing galleries.
Internal rendering of Art Gallery of Ontario courtesy of AGO, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect.
The AGO is aiming to join a small number of museums that have received a CAGBC Zero Carbon Building certification by operating without burning fossil fuel for the new space.
According to the AGO, this will be the seventh expansion of the museum since its inception in 1900. The expansion is estimated to cost $100-million, and is currently undergoing a municipal and public review process.
Art Gallery of Ontario internal rendering, courtesy of AGO, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect.
During the expansion, the AGO will remain open. However, gallery spaces adjacent to the construction might close at times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's housing market sees largest improvement in affordability in four years: National Bank
Canada’s housing market saw the largest improvement in affordability in nearly four years in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report from economists at the National Bank of Canada.

Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
One of the most notable happenings at Apple's event for developers on Monday is likely the iPhone maker's tweak that will keep its autocorrect feature from annoyingly correcting one of the most common expletives to 'ducking.'
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Here's what Quebec's wildfires look like from outer space
A photo taken from NASA show what the wildfires burning in Quebec look like from up above.
Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag
While some natural disasters or bouts of extreme weather may require sheltering in place until authorities can restore power to the area, others require residents to evacuate quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours — and if you want to be prepared, you should create a grab-and-go bag.
Canada facing critical shortages of leukemia and thyroid cancer drugs
Canada is currently facing a critical shortage of drugs used to fight thyroid cancer and a form of leukemia.
Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms
More and more adults are taking over-the-counter melatonin to get to sleep, and some may be using it at dangerously high levels, a study has found.
Small-brained ancient human cousins may have buried their dead, according to a surprising study
An ancient human cousin may have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls, surprising findings for a creature with a small brain.