| Welcome back! These days, we’re all looking for ways to refresh and recharge — and what better way than a face-to-face encounter with art? As galleries and museums begin to reopen, the National Gallery of Canada is thrilled at the prospect of seeing you again. To ensure the safety of visitors and staff alike, they’ve developed some new guidelines, while still offering full access to the great exhibitions and works of art you’ve come to expect. Coming this weekend with your family? Meet in the Garden court to pick up your self-guided activity kit full of fun ideas to help you explore the gallery with your family. Sign up for a private 30-minute family art adventure! Their skilled team will guide you through the galleries, lead in-gallery games and even provide a mini drawing lessons! The Beautiful Monsters exhibition, the thought-provoking William Kentridge installation and most of the main galleries will reopen to to the general public on July 18. The breathtaking exhibition Àbadakone will reopen on July 23, and has been extended until October 4. Much of their programming has been suspended for now, but they hope to be able to offer public activities soon |  |
| Gallery FAQ's |
What is the Gallery’s policy on masks?
Now that Ottawa has made masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces, the Gallery requires each visitor to wear a mask securely covering the nose, mouth and chin. This requirement will be waived only for those with medical or age-related conditions that prevent the wearing of masks.
Will the Gallery be providing hand sanitizer?
Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the Gallery, including at our new temporary entrance.
Can I use the washrooms at the Gallery?
Yes. The frequency and extent of cleaning throughout the Gallery has been increased.
What else is the Gallery doing to keep me safe?
In addition to ramping up our cleaning of high-touch surfaces, areas such as the Coat Check, the Boutique and the Box Office have been equipped with plexiglass shields. We have also temporarily closed food-service areas, and are actively encouraging social distancing. In addition, digital labels in our galleries now feature a QR code, allowing you to access their content via your mobile device.
How can I help keep others safe?
The Gallery asks visitors to follow standard hygiene practices. Please cough or sneeze into your elbow. Keep your hands clean. Avoid touching your face. If you are sick, please delay your visit to the Gallery until after you have recovered.
How is the Gallery handling physical distancing?
We encourage everyone to maintain a friendly distance of 2 metres (6 feet) between themselves and others at all times, and to yield to one another whenever possible. Signage and floor markers have been added outside the Gallery, and throughout the main public areas, to remind everyone of the continued importance of physical distancing.
In addition, the Gallery will allow a limited number of people to enter the Gallery every 30 minutes.
Do I still enter the Gallery the same way?
To maintain physical distancing, visitors will now enter and exit through different doors. Visitors will enter via the Group Entrance, and will exit via the Main Entrance on the Gallery Plaza. New signage has been installed to help visitors navigate this temporary measure.
Can I still shop at the Boutique?
The Boutique is open! Please note that access will be limited to 15 customers at a time. To visit the Boutique without accessing the galleries, please line up with the general public for admission via the Group Entrance. Contactless payment with debit or credit cards is preferred. To reach a customer service representative in the Boutique, please call 613-990-1970. See the new opening hours. Many of our most popular Boutique items are also available online at ShopNGC.ca. For assistance with online orders, please call 1-855-202-4568 or 613-990-0962.
Can I eat and drink while at the Gallery?
Unfortunately, based on current restrictions put in place by the Government of Ontario, the following will be closed until further notice:
- Second Cup
- Cafeteria
- 7 Tapas Bar
In addition, all water fountains have been temporarily turned off.
What are the Gallery’s new hours?
For the first phase of reopening, the Gallery will be open from Thursday through Sunday each week, from 10 am to 5 pm. On Thursdays, we will be open, as before, until 8 pm, with free admission between 5 and 8 pm. Please see our Hours page for details.
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