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Textile Museum of Canada
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
55 Centre AveToronto, ON M5G 2H5
Neighbourhood: Downtown Core
(416) 599-5321
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
Wed 11 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
3 reviews for Textile Museum of Canada
3 reviews in English
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Review from Plank D.
Scarborough, ON
3/27/2010
The Textile Museum of Canada is a cool little place to check out. It's not a day trip, by any means, as it is very small and does not house a huge collection. The presentation is very basic as well. At first glance it may just look like a bunch of blankets pinned to the wall, and it could defiantly be argued that this is exactly all this place is.
The museum never lies to you though and it never comes across as trying to be something that it is not. It's a little museum that focuses entirely on fabric art.
As for the collection itself, it covers a broad range in terms of the geographic locations and different eras of time from which these fabrics originate.
The other interesting thing about this museum is that while they have different floors, each with a different focus, the collection is kind of mixed together. What this does is present a nice synthesis between the varieties of materials. It's one of the only museums that I have been to that conflates the work from different times and places together instead of having you walk through sections that are specifically and individually designated for American, Asian, European art, etc. Having said that, they do have pieces that range from Cashmere, India right through to old American, Midwest Patchwork Quilts.
Now I will readily admit, I don't have an acute knowledge or specific interest in textile art and I had no exposure or knowledge of it before I went to this small museum but that's one reason why we go to museums and I can safely say that I left this place having learned something new.
The other thing about this place is that it is just up the street and around the corner from the AGO and kind of hidden away beside a condo.
The one drawback for this place would be that the admission fee is a little steep for what they offer, but Wednesday nights are pay what you can and are well worth it.
If you are just walking the neighbourhood or going to the AGO, a quick visit to the Textile Museum of Canada would compliment the day nicely. -
Review from Jen J.
8/28/2009
A very nice little museum. The permanent collection that they display is not exactly enormous, it's more of a tiny taste from a wide variety of cultures. If you have a specific interest, they probably have one piece related to it. If you just want to see a wide variety of interesting textiles, you'll love it.
The interactive room for the kids (and adults!) is great, but when I visited one of the adults was a bit confused where the interactive zone ended and climbed inside one of the display kimonos on the wall! Apparently "do not touch" means "unless you're special." I hate people who think they're special. -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
5/1/2009 1 photo
It's hard to get away from cliches like "best-kept secret" when talking about the Textile Museum. It's tucked away on a downtown side street (when's the last time you walked down Centre Avenue, despite its name?) and doesn't have a noticeable advertising budget.
Yet, it's a gem. It's a beautiful place, obviously well cared for by the staff and well supported by some invisible stream of funding; they ain't doing this on the admissions prices. There's a permanent collection of beautiful pieces from around the world with an art gallery meets anthropology gallery feel, and a large space for changing exhibitions. I usually check the latter to make sure it's something I'm interested in before I go.
There's also a Discovery-Gallery-type hands on area for kids (though I like it, too), where they can feel different fibres, play games, try to use a drop spindle, things like that. The staff is friendly and attentive.
I have to say a word for the gift shop: oooooooooh. They have a gorgeous selection of textile-based gifts by artists, and a wonderful selection of books covering subjects as diverse as Japanese embroidery and DIY textile dying using native plants and trees.
I'd say that an interest in fibre arts (sewing, weaving, knitting, crocheting, dying, spinning, etc.) helps, but isn't necessary for an appreciation of this fine museum.
