One of Toronto’s most beloved cultural institutions is about to reintroduce itself — and it’s bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever.
This fall, the Gardiner Museum will officially debut a stunning $15.5 million transformation of its entire ground floor — the most significant upgrade the museum has seen in over two decades. The result? A reimagined space that blends community, creativity, and culture in a whole new way.
A New Chapter for the Gardiner
Located at 111 Queens Park, the Gardiner has long been Canada’s only museum dedicated entirely to ceramics. But with this sweeping renovation — covering 9,000 square feet — the museum is turning its attention to the future while honoring untold stories of the past.
The reimagined space includes:
A brand-new Indigenous Ceramics Gallery — the first of its kind in the museum’s history
A hands-on Makerspace clay studio for public use
A vibrant Community Learning Centre
Bold new architecture by Montgomery Sisam Architects, Andrew Jones Design, and Chris Cornelius (studio:indigenous)
A Historic Gift Powers Big Change
The project was made possible by a record-breaking $9 million donation from The Radlett Foundation — the largest contribution in the museum’s history outside of its founders. The gift includes over 250 works from the collection of the late William B.G. Humphries, further enriching the museum’s already impressive holdings of over 5,000 ceramic works.
Spotlight on Indigenous Art & Artists
For the first time ever, the museum is opening a permanently dedicated Indigenous ceramics gallery, curated by Franchesca Hebert-Spence (Anishinaabe, Sagkeeng First Nation). The gallery features powerful works from Manitoulin Island, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Curve Lake, including both contemporary pieces and ancestral belongings.
The renovation also includes a new commission by Nadia Myre, a celebrated contemporary artist from Montreal and a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg First Nation. Her immersive ceramic installation — made of hand-formed beads and clay pipe stems collected along the River Thames — explores themes of trade, territory, and transcultural exchange.
Opening Celebration: Mark Your Calendars
The official reopening takes place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, and the museum will host a free weekend celebration on November 8 and 9 with:
Artist and curator-led tours
Interactive clay workshops
Live performances
Drop-in art experiences for all ages
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a new way to engage with Toronto’s cultural scene, the Gardiner Museum’s reimagined ground floor promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Get involved.
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