National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) is Canada's national art museum, established in 1880 and headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, at 380 Sussex Drive. As a federal Crown Corporation, its core mission is to develop, maintain, and promote a comprehensive collection of historic and contemporary art, with a particular focus on Canadian art, for the learning and enjoyment of all Canadians and international visitors. The Gallery's purpose, articulated in its "Transform Together" strategic plan, is to nurture interconnection across time and place, envisioning a future where art fosters bridges, deepens relationships, and advances a more equitable society.

The NGC houses a vast collection of over 93,000 works, encompassing significant holdings of Indigenous and Canadian art, as well as European, American, and Asian masterpieces. Beyond its permanent collection, the Gallery actively organizes and hosts a variety of travelling exhibitions, lends artworks to other institutions, and provides educational programs and publications. It also incorporates the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, further expanding its scope to include contemporary photographic works.

Recent leadership appointments include Jean-François Bélisle as Director and CEO in July 2023, and Paul Genest as Chair of the Board of Trustees in May 2024. The Gallery is currently navigating a period of transformation guided by its 2021 "Transform Together" Strategic Plan, which emphasizes strengthening community connections, building inspiring collections, empowering diverse teams, centering Indigenous ways of knowing, and investing in operational resilience. This strategic shift has involved discussions and some controversy regarding decolonization efforts and staff changes. Additionally, the National Gallery of Canada, like other federal Crown corporations, has been directed by the Canadian government to identify potential savings.