10 Art Museums in Alberta That You Shouldn't Miss

March 6, 2022 Moriah Teneyck

Discover the best top things to do in Alberta, Alberta including Janvier Gallery, Glenbow Museum, Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Banff Springs, The Lost American Art Gallery and Museum, Contemporary Calgary, Leighton Art Centre, Art Gallery of Alberta, Nickle Galleries, Neon Sign Museum.
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2139 First Nations 149B Open by Appointment only., Cold Lake, Alberta T9M 1N1 Canada 780-639-4545 [email protected] http://www.alexjanvier.com/
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
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0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 11 reviews

Janvier Gallery

Reviewed By jasonkO3337YW

Definitely a must visit if you're in the Lakeland. Such unique artwork, I bought several small prints to give as christmas gifts.

2. Glenbow Museum

130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3 Canada +1 403-268-4100 [email protected] http://www.glenbow.org
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 868 reviews

Glenbow Museum

At Glenbow, history buffs, art lovers and pop culture fanatics can all find something inspiring. Explore fascinating historical galleries and exhibitions of art and culture from around the world. We are conveniently located in downtown Calgary on Stephen Avenue Mall, just steps from the Calgary Tower and one block away from the C-Train LRT line.

Reviewed By stevetN3509KX - Faversham, United Kingdom

Spent around 5 hours in the museum, it’s vast (especially level 3) and covers a wide variety of subjects including local history, art, First Nation and international exhibits. The museum is spread across 3 floors and there are many exhibits so be prepared for a long visit if you want to see everything. Shop is well appointed and there are coffee shops and restaurants close by. There is also a school class room on site which was nice to see as the children were clearly enjoying their work. Learnt a heap of stuff about Canada that I didn’t know before and it supplemented the knowledge we’d got from the national heritage museum which we’d visited the day before. If you have the time, then it’s well worth a visit.

3. Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

Esplanade 401 1 St SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 8W2 Canada +1 403-502-8580 [email protected] http://www.esplanade.ca/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
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4.5 based on 94 reviews

Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

The Esplanade is where arts and heritage come to life in Medicine Hat, where the stories of our great collective culture are told through music and dance, theatre, painting and sculpture, exhibitions and installations, artifacts, objets d’art and more. Inside, visitors are delighted to discover a vibrant art gallery, a prized museum, an intimate studio theatre, a dynamic education suite, expansive public archives and many volunteers and staff who are eager to tell their versions of our city’s tale. The Esplanade also features a 700-seat main stage theatre which boasts superior theatre technology, acoustic perfection and striking interior design. In the northeast corner of the grounds stands another inviting building with stories of its own to tell. With its white picket fence, gingerbread trim and quaint heritage gardens, the restored Ewart Duggan House, the oldest brick home in Alberta still on its original foundation built with locally produced bricks, is open year-round.

Reviewed By Meander32274399507 - Medicine Hat, Canada

This museum boasts local heritage resources, well presented displays, books and arts/entertainment in a full stage with wonderful acoustics. The Esplandade has an atrium for artistic settings and small gatherings. Weddings are common in here. The grounds have statutory honoring immigrants and local fisherman.

4. Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Banff Springs

405 Spray Ave, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1H1 Canada +1 403-760-2382 [email protected] http://www.mountaingalleries.com
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Banff Springs

Located in The Fairmont Banff Springs, Mountain Galleries is a favourite stop for collectors of Canadian art, featuring museum-quality paintings, sculpture and unique Inuit carvings. Frequently hosting exhibitions, artist demonstrations and workshops, the mission of the gallery is to support and promote Canadian artists.

Reviewed By landlw - Maghull, United Kingdom

We have been to Canada a few times and just love to visit the Mountain Galleries located in the Fairmont the staff are always so helpful and knowledgeable about the pieces on display. We are big fans of Canadian art especially the bear sculptures created by native artists from the Inuit dancing bears to the grand statement pieces by Katherine Jenkinson we just wish we could take them all home with us. I had called in on my own and had a walk around the gallery with one of the staff talking about some of the pieces when I saw two small bronze bears by Katherine Jenkinson I knew as soon as I went in with my wife we would buy at least one of them. A couple of days later I called in with my wife before we went out skiing for the day and as soon as she saw the bronze bears she agreed that we should have one of them but when we decided on which one we liked most the other one looked so lonely we had to buy them both. We talked to the staff who were extremely helpful about the bears and they were more than happy to keep them to one side while we went skiing for the day. On our return we called back into the gallery where the bears we all ready for us to pick up they were well wrapped for us to take back to the UK . Now that we are home they look so good and compliment the dancing bear we purchased the other year in Whistler, maybe next time we will buy one of the larger bears and arrange for it to be shipped back to the UK we just need to find a space for it.

122 Morrison Road, Longview, Alberta T0L 1H0 Canada +1 403-558-3693 http://thelostamericanartgallery.com
Excellent
71%
Good
29%
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

The Lost American Art Gallery and Museum

6. Contemporary Calgary

105 12 Avenue SE Suite 900, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1B4 Canada +1 403-770-1350 [email protected] http://www.contemporarycalgary.com
Excellent
75%
Good
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Satisfactory
25%
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Contemporary Calgary

Contemporary Calgary is contributing to a global city of choice by engaging Calgarians with the art of our times through exhibitions, distinguished speaker series, outreach and education programs.

Reviewed By BenLar137 - Calgary, Canada

I was so glad that Contemporary Calgary has reopened under the new COVID protocols - it would have been an utter loss if Calgarians wouldn't have been able to take in their current Yoko Ono and Omar Ba exhibit. The admissions are still reasonable at $10, and the $20 membership still gets you in free all the time. The Yoko Ono material was stunning, and a bit overwhelming. I'll have to go back to really experience all that was there. Omar Ba was also fascinating, and would have been worth the admission to see as well. Bravo to Contemporary Calgary for keeping this spectacular place open, showcasing world-class modern art.

7. Leighton Art Centre

282027 144 St W, Millarville, Foothills County, Alberta T1S 0Y4 Canada +1 403-931-3633 [email protected] http://www.leightoncentre.org
Excellent
60%
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Leighton Art Centre

The Leighton Art Centre is an Art Gallery, Museum and Arts Education Centre located on 80 acres just outside of Calgary, near Millarville in the Alberta MD of Foothills. Situated in A.C. Leighton and Barbara Leighton’s original home, the LAC houses a vibrant display of Alberta’s artists, both past and present. The Leighton Art Centre was established by Barbara Leighton in 1970 and was incorporated as a society in 1974. Today the LAC is open to the public and offers a wide range of programming including Art & Nature programs for schools, Art to GO! programs, Professional Development Days for Teachers and Support Staff, Summer Camps, Adult Workshops, Professional Artist Workshops, Contemporary Art Exhibitions, rotating Museum Displays, Art Sales and Special Events.

Reviewed By Rambling2019 - Calgary, Canada

Worth the weekend drive for the art, the views, the giftshop, and just poking around. I really enjoyed my weekend visit and viewing the different art, even if I couldn't afford 99% of it. It was a pleasure to see different artists' take on the Canadian nature. Some truly beautiful art depicting Alberta's wonderous mountains, prairies, and open skies. I would highly recommend this gallery to international travellors too,, and anyone who likes art, nature, and the spirit of creativity. The colours of the paintings, the vibe, the natural space, and building were just such a treat after a long period of isolation. A lovely destination. There are two ways of accessing, so check your map and plan your route. I wouldn't recommend this as a destination for families with lots of children. Maybe a parent with a child that's into art is better. I would visit again, in spring and fall. It's location is like finding treasure in the middle of the rolling hills. You can easily spend an hour here, or more, depending on what you like. Easily half a day, with the drive, exploring, looking athe building, the paintings, the other art, the gardens, etc.

2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2C1 Canada +1 780-425-5379 [email protected] http://www.youraga.ca/
Excellent
39%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
10%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 333 reviews

Art Gallery of Alberta

As of Thursday, December 10, the AGA will be closed for at least the next four weeks in compliance with current Alberta Health Services COVID-19 requirements and the best interest of public health and safety. In these challenging times, our staff will still be actively working to create great new content on our communication channels to keep you and your family engaged with art activities, artists’ talks and more. The Art Gallery of Alberta is a centre of excellence for the visual arts in Western Canada, connecting people, art and ideas. The AGA is focused on the development and presentation of original exhibitions of contemporary and historical art from Alberta, Canada and around the world. The AGA also offers a full-range of art education and public programs.

Reviewed By CarolynCarter - Halifax, Canada

This was a lovely afternoon activity on my own while in town for the first time. The exhibits where well displayed, thoughtfully curated and delightful to look at.

9. Nickle Galleries

2500 University Dr NW Taylor Family Digital Library, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada +1 403-210-6201 [email protected] http://nickle.ucalgary.ca
Excellent
20%
Good
70%
Satisfactory
10%
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4.0 based on 10 reviews

Nickle Galleries

NICKLE GALLERIES is on the University of Calgary campus on the main floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library at 410 University Ct. N.W. Nickle Galleries is a creative hub at the heart of the University of Calgary. Featuring 8-10 temporary exhibitions per year, numerous public programs and special events, the Nickle is a leader and creative participant in the cultural life of Calgary and Western Canada. An academic art museum with important collections of Western Canadian art, ancient numismatics and Asian textiles, the Nickle aims to foster critical discourse about art, culture, and museums. Lectures, gallery talks and other events are offered during the academic year (Sept-April). Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-5 (also Thurs. 5-8), Sat. 11-4, Sept.-Apr.; Mon.-Fri. 10-5, rest of year. Closed major holidays.

10. Neon Sign Museum

104 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0K7 Canada +1 780-496-5281 http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/neon-sign-museum.aspx
Excellent
15%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
8%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

Neon Sign Museum

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