About
the Collection
McMichael
Canadian Art
Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is the only publicly funded gallery dedicated exclusively to collecting and exhibiting Canadian and Indigenous art. The permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists who have contributed to the development of the art of Canada. The McMichael is also the gallery of record for works on paper from the Inuit community of Cape Dorset (Kinngait) and is the custodians for the Kinngait Archive, a resource of more than 100,000 works of art held in trust for the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op. View and browse more than 4,000 digitized works from the archive through our online portal, Iningat Ilagiit (A Place for Family).
The collection started by Robert and Signe McMichael in 1952, when the couple purchased land in the village of Kleinburg. Moved by the natural environment, the McMichaels began collecting works of art by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, who also drew inspiration from the natural landscape. In 1965, when they offered their home and artwork to the Province of Ontario, their collection comprised 194 paintings.
David Hartman Films
subheading
David Hartman is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose recent work is focused on the creative process of some of Canada’s most exciting visual artists.
Borrowing
From the
McMichael
Borrowing
From the
McMichael
Requests from museums and other institutions to borrow objects are reviewed and assessed by a team of staff, with consideration to McMichael programming and preservation priorities. We suggest you submit your request as early as possible, and include the following information:
- A description of the project:
- title;
- intent, relevance and scope;
- objects to be included;
- whether the project will tour, and anticipated venue(s) and dates;
- whether there will be a catalogue or other permanent record of the project.
- The name of the curator or other principle organizer of the project, the organizing institution and contact details for relevant staff within the institution.
- Full identification of the object(s) requested, including the McMichael accession number. The McMichael permanent collection is accessible online through its eMuseum, and collection enquires may also be made via the Contact Us page.
- A clear statement of how the McMichael’s loan will add value to the project, and if it will be reproduced in any permanent record of the project.
Timelines and Costs
How to Request a Loan
Image Request
Image Request
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Gift of art
The McMichael greatly appreciates the generosity of donors who wish to make gifts of Canadian art to the collection. The gallery urges any donor considering a gift of art to consult with his or her tax adviser before proposing such a gift.
The McMichael regularly receives offers of donations which, as an Agency of the Government of Ontario, are evaluated according to our rigorous Acquisitions Policy. This policy is guided by professional museum standards set out by the Canadian Museums Association and is approved by the McMichael’s board and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
A range of criteria are used to evaluate each proposed item including:
- Condition, Storage and Maintenance Requirements;
- Provenance.
- Suitability and appropriateness for the collection (i.e.: does it fill an identified gap in the collection?);
We are enormously grateful to all those who consider donating works of art to the McMichael, but we must emphasize that many donations, however generous, regrettably cannot be accepted. This in no way reflects the quality of the works on offer and we appreciate your understanding.
Please allow two weeks for acknowledgement of your offer. A full evaluation may take longer depending on the size and complexity of the proposed gift.