September to December 2024 | Fridays
AGO
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) Friday Night program is a dynamic and engaging event that offers visitors a unique way to experience the gallery after hours. Held on select Fridays throughout the year, this program transforms the AGO into a lively social hub where art, music, and culture intersect. With extended evening hours, the Friday Night program allows guests to explore the gallery’s renowned collections and special exhibitions in a more relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. The event often features live music performances by local and international artists, creating a diverse and eclectic soundtrack that enhances the gallery experience.
In addition to the musical performances, the AGO Friday Night program frequently includes special art talks, guided tours, and curator-led discussions that provide deeper insights into the featured exhibitions. Visitors can also participate in interactive activities such as hands-on art-making workshops, making the event enjoyable for all ages. The program is designed to foster a sense of community and engagement, inviting art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike to connect with art and culture in a social setting. Whether you’re a regular visitor or exploring the AGO for the first time, the Friday Night program offers a fresh and vibrant way to experience one of Toronto’s most iconic cultural institutions.
- On Friday, September 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the AGO welcomes back artist and former artist-in-residence Jim Munroe for Video Game Arts Night in Walker Court, a celebration of artistic innovation and gaming. Featuring demonstrations and discussions with local artists and game developers, the event will showcase a curated selection of games that emphasize the art behind video game creation. Free with General Admission. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/video-game-arts-night.
- Beginning Friday, Sept. 13, Maker Fridays returns this fall with an exciting line up of new drop-in artmaking activities inspired by the AGO Collection and special exhibitions. Socialize, grab a drink at the atrium bar, connect and make art. No advance registration necessary and all materials are provided.
- On Friday, September 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join RBC x AGO Artist-In-Residence Michelle Peraza for Entangled Botanicals, a large-scale collaborative drawing workshop using Mesoamerican tree bark paper. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-friday-entangled-botanicals.
- On Friday, September 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., be inspired by the artistry of Khalil Joseph, featured in the exhibition Bright Signs: Spotlight on Video Art and join us in Walker Court for shadow puppet making. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-friday-bright-signs.
- On Friday, October 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join us in Walker Court for collage artmaking, inspired by the work of Sonia Boyce, featured in the AGO exhibition Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-friday-sonia-boyce.
- On Friday, November 15 and 22, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join us in Walker Court for Weaving Our Stories, an artmaking workshop led by RBC x AGO Artist-In-Residence Karl Mata Hipol. Inspired by depictions of water, Hipol will guide participants in the Filipino weaving tradition of Ilocano Abel to create their own tapestries. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-friday-weaving-our-stories.
- On Friday, December 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join us in Walker Court for artmaking inspired by The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. Engage with sneaker culture by designing and customizing your own sneaker laces. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/maker-friday-culture.
- On Friday, September 27, Friday, October 25, Friday, November 29 and Friday, December 27 at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., join us in Walker Court for Awkward First Date Tours, a humorous thirty-minute collection tour, where the art breaks the ice for you! Designed to give visitors insights into the AGO Collection, this event is free with General Admission. Space is limited – registration is onsite, day of, beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/awkward-first-date-tour.
- This fall the AGO’s Audio Visual team takes over Walker Court on select Fridays. Blending music and digital projections, AV Live performances are inspired by AGO exhibitions and free with General Admission.
- On Friday, October 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., AV Live: Ambient Waves presents music by Patrick Perez and visuals by artists Hagop Ohannessian and Nae Phillip, inspired by the exhibition Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/av-live-ambient-waves.
- On Friday, November 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., AV Live: Lush Landscapes presents music by Mix Chopin and visuals by Hagop Ohannessian and Nae Phillip, inspired by the exhibition Pacita Abad. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/av-live-lush-soundscapes.
- On Friday, December 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., AV Live: Future Underground presents music by Litewrks and visuals by Hagop Ohannessian and Nae Phillip, inspired by the exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/av-live-future-underground.
- On Friday, December 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the AGO celebrates the opening of The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century with a night of music and art. Admission to the exhibition is free for everyone and Canadian music legend, the godmother of hip hop, Michie Mee will perform at 8 p.m. This event is open to all ages. Free tickets will be available in November. For more details, visit ago.ca/events/culture-public-opening.
ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists to European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. The AGO is committed to being welcoming and accessible: admission is free for anyone under 25 years, and anyone can purchase an annual pass for $35. In 2022, the AGO began the design phase of an expansion project intended to increase exhibition space for the museum’s growing modern and contemporary collection. When construction begins in 2024, it will be the seventh expansion that the AGO has undertaken since it was founded in 1900. Visit AGO.ca to learn more.
