Best Arts and Culture Places in Ontario

"Light as Inspiration” was the design approach that Fumihiko Maki, the architect winner of thePritzker prize (1993), used for the Aga Khan. This unique museum is dedicated to Islamic art and culture by the initiative of the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim. The project started in 2010 and was finished in 2014."

"Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning firm Fumihiko Maki, the Aga Khan Museum is a 10,000 sq m structure inspired by the movement of light. Opened in 2014, the museum – which aims to foster understanding of Muslim civilisations – features white angular granite and incorporates historical elements stemming from Islamic communities."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Malika Ladak used under CC BY-ND 2.0. In the North York area of Toronto is where you’ll find the Fuhimiko Maki-designed Aga Khan Museum. This building is a museum home to Islamic art, Muslim culture, and Iranian art."

"The McMichael Canadian Art Collection offers its visitors a unique and truly Canadian experience. From the art within its walls, to the surrounding landscape, the McMichael Gallery is the perfect gallery for a proper introduction to Canada’s art, its people, their cultures and history. The McMichael Gallery’s permanent collection consists of nearly 6,000 pieces of art created by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other artists who have made a contribution to the development of Canadian art."

"Admittedly, this museum is not directly in Toronto, but rather the village of Kleinburg. Here is what justifies the drive 40 minutes north of Toronto: it is situated in a beautiful woodland setting that will rival any outdoors oriented photo. It also is filled to the brim with a magnificent collection of Canadian and native art."

"Handcrafted buildings (including painter Tom Thomson’s cabin, moved from its original location), set amid 40 hectares of conservation trails, contain works by Canada’s best-known landscape painters, the Group of... Top ChoiceArts Center in Waterfront"

"A must see for all film buffs, the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the official home of the Toronto International Film Festival. Inside you’ll find a museum which celebrates all things film and if you really want to geek out be sure to check out the film archives which houses the worlds largest collection of film resources. Sometimes the touring exhibitions are free so check the website before visiting."

"The TIFF Bell Lightbox is a cultural centre and also the headquarters of the much-awaited Toronto International Film Festival. Your nightlife in Toronto gets too glam if you happen to time it right, when the festival is on!. However, when around the year TIFF Bell Lightbox is where film lovers, makers and event planners meet."

"As you head further west, you’ll be blown away by how many amazing art galleries there are. Follow this route—you can’t go wrong. First, head to Mercer Union on Bloor."

"This community cultural hub is part of the revitalization of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood that began in the mid-2000s. A joint venture between Artscape, Toronto Community Housing, The Daniels Corporation and the Regent Park Community, the facility is home to a variety of art spaces, including Aki Studio – Native Earth Performing Arts and the Hallway Galleries, that feature art exhibitions throughout the year."

"Regent Park is arguably the largest revitalization the city has seen in decades. Its community cultural hub, Daniels Spectrum, is home to many art and community initiatives and organizations. Open to the public and free of charge, its Hallway Galleries showcase the work of artists from Regent Park and beyond."

"Corkin Gallery, originally founded under the name Jane Corkin Gallery in 1978, is one of Canada’s pre-eminent visual art spaces. The gallery, owned by Jane Corkin, has gained worldwide recognition for its contribution to contemporary art discourse and its dedication to curatorial projects and exhibitions that facilitate discussion amongst artists, curators, museums and private collections. The gallery also contextualises the work of the numerous Canadian and international artists on their roster through exhibitions that provide a historical trajectory."

"The city’s newest art space, located on the burgeoning strip of Sterling Road, is half gallery, half rustic lodge: the curators, Liam Crockard and Aleksandar Hardashnakov, line the walls with textured plywood and offer art lovers cups of beef-bone soup. The art is just as whimsical: past exhibits have included Grey Gardens–style photography, effervescent mixed-media paintings and oversized papier mâché dummies. 227 Sterling Rd., Unit 109A, theloon.info."

"The David Dunlap Observatory is a heritage site in Richmond Hill, and it’s definitely worthy of being on your Instagram feed. The building is really unique with its spherical roof and bright blue door, and it’s also a great spot to go star-gazing for some cool shots!. LOCATION:225 East Beaver Creek Road, Richmond Hill, ON | Website"

"It is quite another to feel more connected with the universe. Just a 30-minute drive out of Toronto offers you access to a world beyond the city. The David Dunlap Observatory is a large astronomical observatory managed by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada."

"Nothing's warmer than a blazing real wood fire, and this patio has that in spades. You just don't get that pleasant crackle and smell of smoke from a standard heater, though they have those as well for added comfort."

"This classic Parkdale bar and grill is also home to a patio so massive that you can actually park a stroller without fear that it’s blocking a server or fellow guest’s route. While baby enjoys an afternoon nap, you can enjoy one of the bar’s 25 craft beers and watch the action on Queen W. All that space, a menu that has something for everyone, and a low-key vibe also makes this a great space to organize a meetup with those friends who you haven’t seen in forever."