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Museum of Inuit Art
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
207 Queens Quay WToronto, ON M5J 1A7
Neighbourhood: Harbourfront
(416) 640-1571
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Museum of Inuit Art
5 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
8/29/2011 9 photos
Visiting Museum of Inuit Art is quite a refreshing experience especially when the weather is hot and humid.
The cool and white and glossy surrounding gave me a feeling that I am in the Arctic.. icy, cold and the crisp smell of coldness...
Exhibitions has interesting sculptures and crafts and it is good way to learn about the Inuit History.
Free Admission on certain days, at least on the day I was there! Great to browse around!!Listed in: A Day in Queens Quay!
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Review from Min Min T.
Scarborough, ON
11/25/2009
The Museum of Inuit Art (MIA) is a hidden little gem located on the first floor of the Harbourfront Centre. Admission is $5 for seniors and students, and $6 for adults. When I visited in August 2009, the weekends allowed free admission since it was being sponsored by a corporate bank.
From the mall, you can view a number of paintings through the glass windows. The rest of the gallery is petite, but has enough pieces to distinguish between various mediums and stylistic differences between Inuit groups. What I found most rewarding in this collection were small whale bone sculptures and the contemporary and abstract Inuit art, something that is not often depicted in popular culture.
If you walk through and read the displays, as well as taking time to view some of the many videos playing by the gift shop, an average visit may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. As well, there is a small kids' section in the back, which occasionally plays films from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).
Worthwhile for every single Canadian to partake in. -
Review from John M.
9/20/2008
We visited the Museum of Inuit Art on our last full day in Toronto, hoping to hit the island afterwards, but it rained most of the day. That being said, it was pretty much a perfect opportunity to hit a museum, but in this case I'd refer to it as a gallery due to its small size. It is however, a very nice collection of art and sculpture from all over Canada, and the history behind the pieces is very interesting.
There is basic information re: the history of Inuit people in Canada, and the rest of the museum is effectively a gallery for past and contemporary Inuit artists. I was very impressed by many of the pieces, and am a sucker for Native art, history, you name it, I studied contemporary Native issues/Anthropology in school before detouring to the food and beverage industry.
The big drawback of the museum is that the shop and attached gallery are very expensive. Not that I don't think the work is not worth it, that would be the furthest thing from the truth. However, a regular John such as myself would have a hard time taking much home with him if he were interested in supporting these artists. Some really beautiful stuff in here, and when I'm rich and famous I'm going to come back and buy my mom an incredible loon - and a bunch of stuff for myself too.
Check it out.Listed in: Our Honeymoon Spots
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Review from Andrew M.
North York, ON
6/18/2011
I visited the gallery with a friend of mine and it was a nice bit of history. We listened to some of the audio tour, but it was a long one. I think I'll be back to finish the tour off!
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Review from Plank D.
Scarborough, ON
12/13/2009
This is one of the smallest galleries I have ever been to, but one of the most interesting. It's a culture that we should all learn about in school, but don't for some reason. Well, a visit to this place is a good way of breaking through the formal education (or lack thereof) that we have all received, and expose ourselves to the art that exists north to the cities that line the 49th parallel.
The gallery holds an eclectic array of art from different times in Inuit history. It holds everything from sculptures and paintings to drums to beaded clothes. Everything exists in a relatively small space but it is all laid out very nicely and there are chairs so you can relax and be a bit more reflective while looking at all the pieces that line the cases. The gallery almost directs you in a circle back to the front desk so you do have the feeling of being on a progressive journey. The larger sculptures are very impressive and spaced out so you can get a good look at them. Just before you leave, there is a multimedia area that allows you to watch films about the artist that made much of what is held in the gallery. One film is always playing on a big screen with chairs set up so it feels like a little theatre. This is a place that makes you realize that there is more to be cherished in this country than Tim Hortons and The Trailer Park Boys. It's a small space to do all of that in, but it's better than no place at all.
When you exit, you walk into the "gift shop." I dare you to buy a souvenir. If you can, I'm impressed. The gallery store sells Inuit art by prominent artists and everything is very expensive. So watch yourself while you turn and be careful not to knock anything over. The gallery store is very impressive though and you should really give it a walk through before you leave. Also, check out the store on the other side of the museum that sells Inuit paintings. There is some interesting stuff in there too. After you're done here, go across the parking lot to the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery.
Specialties
The Museum of Inuit Art is southern Canada's only museum devoted exclusively to the display of Inuit art. Featuring over 500 objects on display, the museum's collection exhibits the history, range, breadth and depth of Inuit art in Canada. Complimentary children's activities are offered Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 PM.
