Happy Birthday AGO! Ontario’s art gallery celebrates its 125th anniversary all summer long
The AGO is home to a collection of more than 120,000 artworks from around world and looks boldly ahead to its future
Tickets on sale now for an after-hours birthday party, with music from past and present
TORONTO — In 1900, the AGO was founded by a group of Toronto artists and citizens, and this summer, the museum celebrates 125 years of art, community and creativity. Programming kicks off on May 15, 2025, when the museum stays up late for an evening of music from past and present, and culminates on September 25, 2025, with the AGO’s signature fundraising gala, Art Bash. All summer long, art lovers can connect with and explore all the stories found in the AGO collection.
Ever evolving, the AGO owes its growth and collection to the generosity and support of generations. The museum’s first purchase in 1906, E. A. Hornel’s oil painting, The Captive Butterfly (1905) was gifted by a group of community supporters and the AGO came to have a home at the Grange in 1911 thanks to a bequest by Harriet Boulton Smith. Since then, the AGO has grown to become an international destination, home to a collection of more than 120,000 works of art as diverse as the community it welcomes – including the largest public collection of Henry Moore Sculptures, the renowned J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art, the Thomson European Collection and works from Global Africa and the Diaspora.
The museum looks ahead to the next 125 years, propelled by the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, designed by Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect. This expansion project will significantly increase gallery space for the AGO’s growing collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. Construction has begun and the new 40,000 square feet of gallery space will open in 2027.
“The AGO has evolved dramatically in the past 125 years and the museum we are today is because of our enduring commitment to great art experiences,” says Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO, Art Gallery of Ontario. “I am incredibly grateful to every supporter who believed in our mission and helped us build a museum that reflects our world through extraordinary art. I am also incredibly proud of our amazing staff, volunteers and the over 225,000 AGO Members and Annual Passholders. As we celebrate our past, we look boldly towards the future.”
“A century and a quarter of expansions, acquisitions, and the collective efforts of generation upon generation of experts, enthusiasts, and community members has grown the Art Gallery of Ontario into one of North America’s largest art museums, with more than 120,000 works of art that cut across a wide range of cultures, time, and space,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “The AGO is an iconic, world-class cultural institution and our government is proud to support the gallery as it celebrates 125 years of research, education, preservation and entertainment.”
Admission to the AGO is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members and Annual Passholders. The AGO is open late on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9 p.m. For more information on how to become a Member or Annual Passholder, visit ago.ca/membership/become-a-member.
AGO 125 Programming Highlights:
AGO 125 Birthday Party: Raise a glass and celebrate after hours in the AGO’s Walker Court at AGO 125, a birthday bash happening Thursday, May 15 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Take a trip through time courtesy the AGO Collection, The E.P. Taylor Library & Archives and musical performances by DJ Clymaxxx and students from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Tickets for this 19 plus event are $35 and on sale now. Cash bar and food onsite. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ago.ca/events/125-birthday-party.
Iconic 125 collection highlights: Connect with some of the most iconic works in the AGO collection as the AGO presents Iconic 125, a curated list of AGO artworks. 30 of these works will be on view throughout the museum, accompanied by a 125 label that highlights fun facts and insights into the artwork or artist. Every Friday evening through May, June and July, AGO Gallery Guides will speak to these works. Look for these in the museum or find the complete list at ago.ca beginning in May.
AGO125 Capsule Collection: Wear the AGO with a new capsule collection of AGO branded apparel, totes, pins, caps and kids wear coming from ShopAGO. Available in store and online this summer.
AGO Speakeasy: Enjoy curated cocktails in the historic Grange House library. Beginning in May, and running every subsequent Wednesday and Friday throughout May, June and September, AGO Bistro transforms the historic Grange house library into a classic speakeasy serving themed cocktails and small bites. Seatings are at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Reservations open in April at ago.ca/visit/dine/bistro.
AGO Friday Nights: Kick off your weekend and count down the decades in evening events every Friday through May, June and July. Join us for a lineup of historically inspired maker nights, performances, art chats and Awkward Date Tours, with artists, DJs and AGO Gallery Guides. AGO Friday Night programs are always free with general admission and for all ages. For details, stay tuned to ago.ca/events.
Art Rate Monitor See how your heart reacts to our art when the AGO’s innovative Art Rate Monitor returns Tuesday, July 8. Explore the AGO collection as never before with this unique activation that combines wearable tech with timeless masterpieces. The Art Rate Monitor experience is included with gallery admission and is available for visitors of all ages, on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Art Rate Monitor kiosk by the Welcome Desk to participate.
Art Bash: Canada’s Art Party is back and this year we’re celebrating the AGO’s 125th anniversary! Celebrate with us, in support of the Museum at the AGO’s signature fundraising gala on Thursday, September 25. Presented by Tricon Residential, and sponsored by RBC Capital Markets, this year’s event is co-chaired by Consuelo Jackman, Trinity Jackman, and Victoria Jackman. Tickets for Art Bash go on sale in June. For more information visit, ago.ca/art-bash-2025.
AGO 125 is generously supported by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation
Contemporary programming at the AGO is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts
@AGOToronto | #SeeAGO
ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists to European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. The AGO is embarking on the seventh expansion project undertaken since it was founded in 1900. When completed the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will increase exhibition space for the museum’s growing modern and contemporary collection and reflect the people who call Toronto home. With its groundbreaking Annual Pass program, the AGO is one of the most affordable and accessible attractions in the GTA. Visit ago.ca to learn more.
The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors, and private-sector partners.
