I know I will get negative feedback for rating something that is free so low but neither myself nor my family enjoyed or found value or learning from this experience and we all love art and were initially excited to visit. I saw the high ratings on maps when deciding where to spend our time in Ottawa and quickly realized the only reason the ratings were so high is because it was free. I also thought it would be incredibly busy being that it was free, highly rated, and located a couple blocks from a very busy street festival but we saw 4 other people visiting the Art Gallery on a long weekend in the summer. The top 2 floors were mainly only photos and videos. There was an exhibit where we were supposed to imagine the experience of being on a certain ship which was a valuable concept for learning. However, the video of the ocean projected in the wall used to set the scene was taken from land and not open waters. I know it's a small detail but for such a large exhibit and a valuable lesson that tiny bit of effort can make a big difference. Overall, the art was sparse and lacked diversity of thoughts, types of art, and artists, especially when considering the size and prime location of this building. Unfortunately, even though it was free and we all like saving money, it was not what was expected and not worth our time while visiting Ottawa. Probably worth swinging through if you are already walking by but unfortunately for us it was not worth making a trip while visiting Ottawa unless there is an artist on display you want to see.

I loved this art gallery!!! Booking tickets online was simple and the staff are friendly and go above and beyond to make your visit enjoyable. The artwork on African American Hair was especially refreshing, along with the Shelter In Place Exhibition. We will definitely return in the future.

A very beautiful art gallery. Free admission (we donated) with amazing exhibits, displays and art. We had a wonderful time exploring the wonders of each space here. Thanks for all you do!

This free gallery presents over 20 exhibits per year and showcases more than 90 artists annually. With five floors of programming space, this site plays a key role in Ottawa's arts community. Below are some examples of the displayed art work, as of late June 2023.

We went during their Open House and not only was the whole gallery free, but there were also free food and coffee to take with you and enjoy. Really diverse art spanning several floors. Large area for displays and exploring. Easy to spend a few hours there admiring the art and reading the descriptions. There were benches peppered throughout so you can take a break or just get really immersed in a painting. Could not recommend it enough to those visiting especially for a rainy or cold day.

I’m not too sure if it was free, but we didn’t pay at all. It was such a fantastic experience and a wonderful date idea.

It always baffles me how many people don’t know about this gem. It’s a wonderful gallery with free entry that I always try to visit when I’m downtown. It’s always worth making a visit whenever I’m in the area, with so many amazing local-based artists showcased within it. The gift shop is always stocked with lovely giftable prints, merchandise, and more that are fun to look through too.

I love the Ottawa Art Gallery so much! They always have the most unique and diverse and beautiful exhibitions of art. They also showcase cultural art for example: their current cultural exhibition is Japanese art by Norman Takeuchi which I absolutely loved. I really recommend going there. Admission is free and they accept walk-ins.

I absolutely love this place! The architecture is fantastic and the selection of artwork is beautiful and different. The entrance fee is by donation which is amazing! They have multiple floors with stairs and elevators so it's accessible for all! They have a bar/cafe/lounge area with a nice variety of alcohol and snacks. When I visited, their kitchen was still under construction so they weren't able to cook very much but I have high expectations! I highly encourage everyone to see this place! It's great for those who take public transport as it's right by the transitway.

It's free entry so I cant give less than 4 stars. They have gender neutral bathrooms video art , group of 7 and some other stuff. I bought Faber Castel pencils for 1.20 each best price in the city. Very disappointed that the administration office monopolized the top floor it says alot about who they are.

Free entry, interesting concepts and I really appreciate the accessibility with art and availability of this gallery. It is small so it won't take a ton of time but the giftshop is nice and there looked like a cafe or food spot within.

This is a small size art museum, ticket free, 5 stories can visit, and they have some really unique art work here. You can get the old school fashion here, as a good old day memory.

I absolutely love that this gallery is free - as all museums should be. Exhibits are well curated and there is lots to look at. The gift shop is full of the work of amazing local artists working with all mediums, from paint, to shirts, to trinkets of all kind. Definitely a top place to visit in Ottawa.

Good place to visit if you live around. It is not a big art gallery but still good to visit.

Stunning art gallery in Ottawa’s city centre. Home to a small cafe on the base floor with good food and a beautiful atmosphere.

Lovely, bright, modern. Really enjoyable displays. Was there for a wedding and the place cleaned up nicely. Good use of space and great staff.

Free gallery worth stopping in to see the rotating exhibits.

Quaint, easy to navigate gallery. Great tribute to indigenous art and wonderful creative Sunday events in their multipurpose room near Jackson cafe. The space is open and the walls are always filled with artworks worth stopping for.

Wonderful art.

Galleries are pretty small. The group of seven exhibit is the hilight also the photography exhibit on the 4th floor is good too. But I will say it's a good thing it's free. The security is overbearing. (Covid times) so if your mask comes a little bit off your nose they will scold you. Particularly towards men for some reason.

Nice way to spend an hour. And it’s free, so that is always a bonus! I had prebooked but there were only a handful of people when we visited so booking may not be necessary. Unfortunately the cafe was closed but the gift shop was open!?

Great display of Canadian and European Art in a massive space. The layout is a bit disorienting so it’s hard to know the best route or order to see everything. Definitely worth multiple visits.

Great art museum free for all with tons of Canadian content. They also have a ton of local art. A must see museum if you're in the area. They have tons to see and the place was renovated very nicely. There's even a very nice gift shop and nice view of the city. The variety of the art truly has to be experienced to appreciate.

This place is right beside le Germaine hotel or one block behind Westin hotel. There is a snack bar at the main floor and the art gallery is located on the 2nd floor and the rest above it. Entrance fee is by donations and I found the donation boxes near the reception, and the other by the souvenir shop.

Very nice gallery! Excellent staff, friendly and skilled. Go and visit this place

If u enjoy small gallery modern art was very nice and free to visit

Lovely way to spend an hour or so. I liked all the exhibitions and it really showcases local art. Everything’s free and I really like the size and architecture of the building. It’s not super overwhelming and somewhere you feel like you need to spend the whole day which is a nice change sometimes compared to the huge museums Ottawa has to offer. If you’re an uOttawa student definitely stop by for a lil mental break if you need or use the space to study it’s really nice and has free wifi!

Beautiful space! I was there visiting a friend's pottery work as part of the Ottawa Guild of Potters Exhibition. Great place to host events for artists. Food was delicious!

Was free admission. Exhibits were interesting and informative. 4th floor was closed when there. Door to public washroom wouldn't lock. I ended up walking in on someone but thankfully they weren't over phazed by it. They expected it was a potential to happen with no lock.

It is a great thing that this gallery is free which adds up to the overall experience of it. The only thing is that unfortunately it is not as big as it seems. But overall the gallery and exhibitions are enjoyable and nice to look at

I love this gallery so much, they are always presenting diverse exhibitions of different movements (some of the pics here are from older exhibitions)- and it's free

I would say this is the nicest gallery/museum in ottawa. Beautiful architecture and really different art style - good for everyone!

Always has great exhibitions on, and in general just a lovely space.

Diverse selection of different types of artwork. Friendly staff, organized facility, and best of all it's free!

Great space, amazing decor, lots of original and local art work.

Great visit to this new gallery. Incredibly moving show called Dark Ice. Highly recommend checking it out.

Great space. Some interesting design choices re building. But interesting exhibitions. The Leslie Reid exhibition is excellent, just don't read the labels! Her heart is in the right place, but the meaningless pap she writes lowers the value of the images.

Too good art in here👌👌

Great exhibits, I enjoyed my time here.

Its free so thats nice! If you dont know what to do and your in Ottawa. Come around here for a bit and read about the art thats here, there's not that many pieces and it takes about 40 mins to get through all the floors if your not reading all the art works

I DJ'd here for a wedding. It was a nice venue. I especially liked the guys in speedos in the indoor pool across the street trolling us all day! This room echos a lot so I had to turn my music down but everyone had a blast.

There are some amazing exhibits at the Ottawa Art Gallery right now. I was especially moved by the work of Jobena Petonoquot, Stanley Wany, and Yinka Shonibare. Not to be missed. Prepare to be changed by what you experience.

The Ottawa Art Gallery was great! I highly recommend to bring your camera because there are some of the best paintings inside the art gallery.

Book a time to see the well known and the unique exhibits. Always love Group of Seven. Pokestops near by. Paid parking also close by.

Such an amazing new building on a tiny tiny downtown space. Feels very generous. Lots of bright spaces and of course appropriate dimmer spaces for the protection of the art contained inside. We enjoyed several contemporary projects themed on belonging and isolation within the current epoch. The Firestone collection has a worthy home and I was grateful to see the small portion of the collection currently in display. As a contemplative viewer and an older person I do take exception to the lack of benches available in this gallery. I would like to be able to perch for a few moments and pause in front of some of the works. Lovely gift shop. Helpful staff great COVID protocol adherance

An incredible Art Gallery in the heart of Canada’s national capital. First floor is dedicated to native peoples and America. Second floor is dedicated to Europe. Free at 5 pm on Thursday’s nights (need to “buy” the free ticket in advance)

It is beautiful building, very well suitable for exibiting art in capital city - Ottawa. Perfect space for it's purpose. Very well organized.

Cool gallery. We’re glad it’s in the neighbourhood.

Great way to spend an afternoon and it's free.

Great place to spend an hour looking at different art. Architecture is also very modern. Although I'm most impressed with the all gender bathrooms.

amazing selection of art! i wish they had more details about the statue at the front but other than that amazing place definitely worth visiting while in ottawa. surprising selection of famous european art as well as some amazing art by first nations artists.

Such a hidden gem in the city. Browse the first floor for ever changing exhibits, well lit, clean, lots of ambience. Great for a break from the city, maybe a nice first date. Browse the gift shop like a local tourist. Have a latte or a pastry from the downstairs Cafe. We went on a rainy day so it was an easy choice for lunch but we were pleasantly surprised by the table service even though we split the panini between the two of us. Great coffee, lovely servers and great ambience. Will visit again!

Came here for an evening event. The space was really nice with options for sit down or stand up. Thanks for bringing me here are exploring.

Superb space with a variety of exhibits and a great store.

Free admission, beautiful building and exhibits. Nice little coffee shop too!

Fabulous place to have your meeting at and a good cafe

Lots of art to see and it's completely free!

Beautifull art with nice vibe

Absolutely fantastic first experience 👍 fabulous performance I'd do it again!! Movie available on Amazon prime

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place 🤩 (Original) Endroit magnifique 🤩

Saw the awesome works of the group of seven. Very warm and cosy place to meet up and network. If you're looking to shoot photography, this is a great place. Just bring your props.

Nice reception, clean place :)

The building outside looks just like a square box, but inside it is very artistic. Very clean.

Very aesthetic and quiet

This is literally my favourite art gallery in Ottawa. There's always such interesting pieces there!

Nice

Terrific public gallery in downtown Ottawa, always worth a visit.

Nice small selection of art.

Lovely staff.

It is a wonderful medium-sized gallery that is bright and open. There was some really interesting shows - both contemporary and some Group of Seven. They were thoughtfully curated and presented. They carefully followed COVID protocols eith timed reservations and distancing. It has a very cool gift shop as well. And as a bonus , it was free!

I adore the OAG. I always enjoy my time there. The new building and facilities are incredible, and beautiful. It is a treasure to be able to visit here for free. You said you would incorporate the Firestone family staircase, and you did! They would be proud. I have also gone here for private events and very much enjoyed the experience. The exhibits are usually very well-curated, featuring works from artists from across the spectrum of experience and identities. For over 15 years of my relatively short life, I have always come away from OAG with new learning and perspectives, and appreciation for humanity and nature. Shout out to Lee Jones' visitor data knitting machine!

Great free entertainment

Always an interesting visit. Great group of seven collection. Shop is always fun as well.

Great experience, and easy to book tickets in advance (which are in fact free of charge). Because there's a limit number of people, it was easy to social distance, while still being able to enjoy some art. Highly recommend

The Ottawa Art Gallery as an establishment was very nice and modern. It definitely doesn't warrant a 2 star. However, the art show was below average. Although it was free, it was poorly advertised and not organized very well. There was also not a ton of art for people to view. It consisted of 3 storys but it was not a large viewing per floor.

Beautiful building. Well curated exhibitions.

Very affordable and beautiful art works. Very educative pieces too.

A great public space for art creation and appreciation. They work hard to provide this space free of charge, as well as provide opportunities to underrepresented communities.