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Glenbow Museum
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries Shopping Art Galleries Museums, Art Galleries [Edit]
130 9 Ave SECalgary, AB T2G 0P3
(403) 268-4100
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Glenbow Museum
14 reviews in English
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Review from Wendy P.
Updated - 11/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We've got a pretty sweet museum on our hands... that's right, on our hands. Because there's no point in an awesome museum without locals coming to visit to help keep it on its feet.
Right now, the Glenbow's hosting the Watch Me Move exhibit, an exclusive to Canada. It's only here until Dec 23 (or is it the 24th?) after that... watch it move on out of the continent for a couple of years. Just watch out for the lady birthing the rhino. Yes, you read that right. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it.
This visit, I also got to check out the 4th floor of the museum. Besides getting to watch a bunch of movies and clips, I also got to check out their war exhibit. People from WWI times were little!! It'd be the smallest of people now who could fit into the ones they've got on display.
What's keeping the Glenbow from being a 5-star in my books? I'm not entirely sure... but a tour of the archives would be a good start... and maybe a mommie. Yeah, definitely a mommie.
PS... finish your coffee before you head inside. No drinks allowed!
Yelp's 30 Day Challenge: 27/30Listed in: Good for Groups, Great date spots, Downtown Cowtown, Yelp's 30 Day Challenge 2011, Unique things to do in Calgary
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2011
How have I lived in Calgary for nearly 6 years and not been to the museum? Shame on me for not going… Read more »
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Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kind of bummed that everyone is hating so hard on the "permanent" exhibits at the Glenbow. Some of them, I could take or leave, but I feel as though the exhibits on Alberta, as well as the First Nations peoples are too important to omit. It was only in my Canadian Studies courses at the University of Calgary that I really learned in depth about Alberta's history, the National Energy Project, etc. The Glenbow provides excellent information on Alberta. I remember my friend having a couchsurfer from Germany this summer who had attended these exhibits, and when we all met up for a hike this week, he had gained enough information to have a long chat in the car with me about Alberta's history.
One thing I really disagree with about the Glenbow, however, is their handling of certain "artifacts". I have heard many accounts of how an item at the Glenbow has belonged to a family member, or someone from their reserve, but the Glenbow has failed to return these items. Some may say, whatever, it's a museum, right? Well, this past spring, there was quite a lot of controversy around this issue, as the Glenbow was auctioning many of their First Nations archives off. It was really heartbreaking to see. In one of my Indigenous Studies courses at the time, we gained acess to this list of items being auctioned off. It included beautiful paintings, useful utensils and tools, beautifully beaded dresses/garments, etc. On each listing, they were able to identify exactly what area of Canada, and which band it came from. Hey Glenbow- here's a thought...if you have all of these excess archives, you know exactly where they came from, and you actually care about your relationship with the First Nations community and the descendants of the owners of some of these items... why not return them, as opposed to auctioning them off for pitiful prices? After all, it's not like you made these things yourselves, and many of these items come from areas within Calgary's vicinity. We considered going to this auction to raise some ruckus, or to rescue some of these items from their fate, but unfortunately had a class that evening. Maybe I've just watched too many documentaries on repatriation (ex. "Stolen Spirits of the Haida Gwaii," you all should watch it!) but since this incident, I always have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth when I think about visiting the Glenbow. DRAMA!
Also, for those interested in some extra reading, here is an article about ANOTHER auction at the Glenbow just this September. It makes me throw up in my mouth.
http://www.metronews.c...
The bitter taste is still there, but I managed to try and put this aside when I took my little new media studying brother to the Watch Me Move animation exhibit over the weekend. The exhibit itself was really lovely to watch, and I enjoyed the setting of the viewing stations as well on the big cozy sitting things and the sound isolating headphones. There were a few really cool animators featured.
In order to support one of Calgary's only museums, I will try and continue to visit the Glenbow, but I have to say I am more than a little upset about these events, and can only hope that this museum will come to its senses. -
Review from Shannon M.
Calgary, AB
Glenbow is a Calgary institution. With its constantly-evolving visiting exhibits - bringing creative, experimental and unique works from across the spectrum to YYC - and beautifully-curated in-house collection - including the largest collection of Pop Art in Canada - Glenbow offers Calgarians and visitors with a veritable smorgasbord of art, history and culture.
In addition to their exhibits, the museum hosts a plethora of lectures, films and events - including the always fantastic launch parties - to sate any appetite. It's the perfect way to spend a Saturday or, until December 23rd, a Friday evening. Do get an annual pass and do visit often.
Note: Until December 23, 2011, Glenbow is offering "Half price Friday nights" from 5 to 8pm. -
Review from Reginald T.
Calgary, AB
11/10/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This review is for the Watch Me Move animation exhibit, that, as of this writing, is currently exhibiting at the museum.
Being a fan of animation myself, I was thrilled to hear about this exhibit. As it's set to tour in Japan after Calgary and not return to North America for about 2-3 years, this exhibit was not only its North American debut, but also a Canadian exclusive.
The exhibit takes up two of the four main exhibit floors at the museum, the second level and the fourth level.
111 or so films are showcased, some clips and some full length, in addition to various other presentations, talks, and films that get screened in the museum's theatre or elsewhere in the venue.
My favourite part of the whole exhibit are the viewing stations. The are essentially temporary foam padded booth-like areas with the speakers at the top. They are very intimate, surprisingly comfy, and the perfect place to bring a date along with. I'm even tempted to steal the design to use at home as it's perfect for isolated viewing.
There are so many films to see that to take it all in would literally take hours, which I don't mind so much. It just means I have to visit again and in fact, is making me really contemplate getting a membership, just so I can see it all again for free.
The exhibit runs until December 24, 2011, so if you have the chance, come down and check it out, as well as some of the permanent exhibits as well.
9/30 -
Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
10/5/2011
Glenbow is amazing. It is a museum which encompasses cultural history, ethnology, military history, and mineralogy. It not only contains museum collections but art, archives, and a library.
There is so much I could write about this museum but what stands out is how the museum shows a perfect progression of how Alberta came to be what it is. The journey starts with the aboriginal people and ends with the oil industry and politicians.
The Good:
Many Faces, Many Paths: Art of Asia: More than 80 superb sculptures from Asia. The work is fascinating, memorizing, and detailed.
Mavericks & Native History - Journey through life in Alberta, past to present.
The Bad:
Art collection is small and not interesting (subjective).
Parking is a disaster. We paid $18 for 4 hours! -
Review from Emma G.
6/6/2011
My roommate had been bugging me for a while to go to the Glenbow with her, so finally on Sunday we decided to have a bestie-date and go. (Yes, on a super sunny, gorgeous day. We're dumb.)
She had told me how huge it was inside, but I couldn't really picture how until I saw it. It's a beautiful museum - I'm not sure how long it's been around but it looks quite new inside, so it must be well-maintained.
I really loved the exhibit about gemstones, and the historical paintings. The portrait exhibit that is on now was also really interesting, but SO crowded. I found myself get elbowed out of the way as I was trying to read, until eventually I gave up and moved onto the Many Faces of Asia. The bonus of this was that all the other exhibits were empty, so we were able to look as long as we wanted.
The museum felt slightly disorganized, like things were just kind of randomly put together, but that's okay. I forgive them.
It was really fun to go, I'd forgotten how much I like museums and am happy to have one here. Next time I'd go on a rainy day, though! -
Review from Crystal W.
Calgary, AB
8/18/2011
I am impressed with the sheer size of the museum and how it exhausted me before I could see it all. Maybe I didn't pace very well, but I certainly enjoyed it and would recommend it for everyone. I'm not a huge museum fan, but the Glenbow is definitely worth a visit every few years. I don't image all of the exhibits change, but I think they do a good job at bringing in cool, new stuff.
The only thing that was a pain was trying to use the secured hangers, as they didn't work well and we lost some coin. No big deal. -
Review from Sergey S.
2/1/2011
I would say that Glenbow is way too pricey for what it has inside. Don't get me wrong - it is a nice place to visit, just not that super-wow to cost so much.
Calgary in general has a very nice nice bunch of museums, but for some reason Glenbow, situated in the best possible tourist spot, is noticeably dropping below average. It is way too commercial, gift-oriented. Much less fun or scientifically sound, in my opinion.
Definitely worth taking a look when you stay in the city, though if you wish to see the very best of Calgarian museums, go to a Military one! That will be an experience to remember, even if you are not fond of militaria. -
Review from Daryl D.
Calgary, AB
3/14/2011
I understand there are a handful of museums in Calgary, but the Glenbow is one of my favorites because it has such a vast variety of exhibits. Many of the new/advertised ones are by well-known and talented artists...but if you didn't already know, some of the best exhibits aren't even mentioned, but they are a treasure to find :)
My husband and I can literally spend hours scouring every floor, and on the top floor is an archive library for those of us who like to study the past.
This museum covers a whole heard of culture to do with Alberta, from Native Indians to pioneering engineers, thus the Train exhibit on the 3rd floor is one of my favorites, as well as the teepee set up with the starry sky above it.
For the rare people who haven't yet been, I very highly reccommend it :)
Did I mention some companies hold meetings here for their employees, clients, etc. and you can enter the museum for a nominal fee on those days. It's worth checking out! -
Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
10/29/2009
The Glenbow Museum is a nice mini size museum in the heart of downtown Calgary. Last year it saw many events featuring the Asian community; exhibitions on Hindu art, as well as authentic century old Buddhas and a showing of a Japanese Buddhist shrine.
But the exhibit that stood out in my mind was a sculptural and film exhibition of fellow Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard. The Glenbow is very easy to get to; it is beside several bus lines and the downtown train terminals. I was greeted warmly at the desk and was offered to take my coat to a cloakroom, as well as there are temporary lockers in case you want to store your shopped items, purse or knapsack.
The show was well curated, very spacious and well lit; a movie was playing which featured Fafard's work using hectares of acreage to plough an aerial view of a horse. By planting different mediums, like wheat or oats for example, Fafard could manipulate the colors and shadowing of his image. The film covered the process over many months and you were witness to changing of the seasons and therefore more incarnations of his creation.
You also had an option of going to an arts and crafts area to express hands on several exercises that were already organised for you. How to create a three dimensional cow or to how draw a well proportioned horse with charcoal, a very thorough and sensory experience overall. -
Review from JP D.
Calgary, AB
2/22/2010
I have always liked the Glenbow, but only for its temporary exhibitions. The permanent displays have not changed in recent memory and have become quite stale and run-down.
I wish the city would invest more into this undervalued museum. The Glenbow has the potential to be a great museum, it is fairly large, the location is central, but ultimately a revamp is needed.
That being said, if given the chance I would recommend to anyone to visit the archives with a guide, I did it at the age of 12 or so and would happily do it again. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
10/29/2009 1 photo
I always feel like it's too bad that we only have the one museum in Calgary. It isn't that the Glenbow is an awful museum, but just that it has its relatively small amount of resources and space spread over many different permanent exhibitions. The result is that their exhibitions range from mediocre-alright, but nothing permanent is really astounding. It's pretty unfortunate because I think it has a lot of potential.
The permanent exhibitions have been nearly the same for the last twenty years. Anyone born and raised in Calgary made regular school visits. I've even made some since then. The travelling exhibitions range from alright to amazing, and I always try to make it down for the excellent exhibitions.
If you try to take the whole museum (including the travelling exhibition), it takes a good day. In this respect, I feel like it is more for the tourists than the locals. The Asian art exhibit is pretty cool. All of the exhibits are well laid out and multi-layered, but one visit to them is more than enough. I understand that the museum has a mandate, I just don't find it that compelling.
I think it's a shame that a city with the size and wealth of Calgary doesn't have more museums, so that we can start to build some quality culture and history. -
Review from Danny F.
Calgary, AB
10/27/2008
The problem with the Glenbow is that it never changes. A few of the exhibits are the same as they were when I was in high school and I know that they are 'Permanent exhibits' but they take up most of the museum and they just aren't interesting enough anymore to warrant the use of all that real estate (except maybe the Art of Asia exhibit). The traveling exhibitions range from amazing to awful and aren't always worth seeing because they are so small.
Calgary is a booming city both economically and culturally shouldn't we have a museum that we can be proud of? -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/23/2008
The Calgary Glenbow Museum provides a glimpse into Canada's rich history. From early settler life, to the lives of the Aboriginals, to the lives of Canada's soldiers that fought and died in both the Great Wars, the Glenbow has it all.
And their curators do an excellent job. Each display is meticulously designed to bring historical flavour and ambiance. Full multi-media is offered, providing visitors with a unique experience.
I've gone here since I was a young boy. And each time, the place morphs into something altogether different while still offering the same information regarding the happenings of this country since its inception and before.
