Funds support 13 new galleries at Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto

New funding will support an expansion project with at least 13 new galleries planned across five floors at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Ontario government announced $35 million in new capital funding over two years to support the AGO’s expansion project, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, the province announced today.

The funds were allocated in the 2026 Ontario budget, and will add to the lead gift of $35 million from Canadian business man Dani Reiss.

“Through decades of innovation and artistic excellence, the AGO has earned its place as a world-class cultural institution, inspiring, educating and entertaining visitors from near and far,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “By supporting the AGO’s Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery expansion project, our government is protecting a true Ontario cultural treasure and strengthening its long-term success.”

The new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery is a “significant expansion” at the AGO that will help the gallery welcome up to 120,000 additional visitors annually, the province said.

First announced in 2023, the project will increase the museum’s gallery space by 40,000 square feet, providing an additional 30 per cent of total space available to display art. The design features column-free galleries of various sizes and heights, offering flexible spaces that can shift from large, open spaces to multiple intimate galleries, depending on programming needs.

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027.

The project will support nearly 800 good-paying jobs and contribute $100 million to Ontario’s GDP, the province said.

This month, the province also announced an additional $21 million per year in operating funding support for the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Read more about the project here.

Lead rendering: Art Gallery of Ontario, Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect