Gardiner Museum

The museum occupies approximately 4,300 square meters across multiple levels with galleries dedicated to different ceramic traditions ranging from pre-Columbian American pottery to European porcelain works representing several millennia of craftsmanship.

Founded by collectors George and Helen Gardiner in 1984 with initial focus on pre-Columbian American pottery and Meissen porcelain, the institution later expanded its collecting scope to include Asian and Islamic ceramic traditions with a comprehensive renovation beginning in 2020.

The museum serves as Toronto's primary center for ceramic education and appreciation through public programs including artist demonstrations and workshops that connect visitors with both historical manufacturing techniques and contemporary ceramic practices across multiple cultural traditions.

The ground level houses a cafe and museum shop while the Gail Brooker Ceramic Research Library containing approximately 2,500 volumes on ceramics is accessible to researchers and interested visitors through the University of Toronto Library System.

The renovation completed between 2020 and 2022 introduced a makerspace for hands on ceramic work, a Community Learning Centre for educational programs, and new exhibition areas for Indigenous North American ceramic traditions, strengthening connections between historical collections and contemporary practice.

Location: Ontario

Inception: 1984

Founders: George R. Gardiner

Official opening: 1984

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Website: http://gardinermuseum.on.ca

GPS coordinates: 43.66820,-79.39320

Latest update: December 1, 2025 12:23