Special exhibits are always plentiful at Ottawa-area museums. Here are just a few of the current and upcoming temporary exhibits, in order of end date:
Current Exhibits
Halifax Harbour 1918: Harold Gilman and Arthur Lismer
October 12, 2018 – February 18, 2019
National Gallery of Canada
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the National Gallery of Canada has partnered with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia to present this exhibition, which is part of the Masterpiece in Focus series. It will examine the shared mission of Harold Gilman (1876–1919, British) and Arthur Lismer (1885–1969, Canadian) – later known for his affiliation with the Group of Seven – to record the port of Halifax, and the manner in which this Canadian War Memorials Fund commission pushed the boundaries of their artistic practice.
Anthropocene
September 28, 2018 – February 24, 2019
National Gallery of Canada
This major contemporary art exhibition features works by three Canadian artists – Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier – who explore the impact of human activity on Earth through photography, film installations and interactive technologies. Augmented reality installations and visitor-activated films immerse visitors in areas undergoing rapid change.
Paul Klee: The Berggruen Collection from The Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 16, 2018 – March 17, 2019
National Gallery of Canada
This exhibition is the first Canadian show devoted to Swiss-German artist illustrator and painter Paul Klee in nearly four decades. Explore 75 of Klee’s drawings, watercolours and oils that were gifted to The Metropolitan Museum of Art by one of the postwar era’s renowned art dealers and collectors, Heinz Berggruen.
Moving Stories
November 9, 2018 – March 24, 2019
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Experience Canada’s remarkable transportation history through rarely-seen artifacts including a custom McLaughlin-Buick and a streetcar built in 1874. Discover intriguing stories of how Canadians were impacted by these important transportation items.
Victory 1918 – The Last 100 days
October 26, 2018 – March 31, 2019
Canadian War Museum
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, this special exhibit covers the Hundred Days campaign and how the Canadian Corps played a key role in the Allied victory. Discover powerful stories of this period through artifacts, artworks, documents and photos.
Notman, Visionary Photographer
November 23, 2018 – April 14, 2019
Step back into Victorian Canada by exploring the career of William Notman, the first Canadian photographer to gain an international reputation. Experience his vision of the 19th century through 300 prints and objects from the McCord Museum.
Butterflies in Flight
October 6, 2018 – April 28, 2019
Canadian Museum of Nature
Enter a world of brilliant live butterflies! Experience a warm and relaxing tropical environment with flowering plants and hundreds of live butterflies.
Survival of the Slowest
December 21, 2018 – April 28, 2019
Canadian Museum of Nature
Meet and learn about live creatures including sloths, reptiles, iguanas, hedgehogs and bats! The exhibit is produced by Ottawa’s Little Ray’s Nature Centres.
Space to Spoon
April 1, 2018 – April 30, 2019
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Discover the connection between space technology and the food on our plates through hands-on models, interactive elements and stunning graphics. You’ll also earn about the Canadian Space Agency’s Earth observation satellite, RADARSAT-2, and its cutting-edge successor, RADARSAT Constellation.
Upcoming special exhibits
Pterosaur: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs
June 15 – September 2, 2019
Canadian Museum of Nature
This blockbuster exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History reveals the weird and terrifying flying creatures that dominated the prehistoric skies. Journey through the Mesozoic (252 to 66 million years ago) with the largest flying animals that ever lived. Learn more about them through fossils, impressive models, and unique interactives.
Gauguin: Portraits
May 24 – September 8, 2019
National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is hosting the first ever in-depth investigation into one of the 19th century’s most influential and complex artists: Paul Gauguin. Explore how the French artist gave symbolic meaning to his subjects through his portraits of models, fellow artists and even himself. See 65 carefully selected works by Gauguin including paintings, works on paper and three-dimensional objects from public and private collections around the world.
Highland Warriors
May 31, 2019 – January 12, 2020
Canadian War Museum
Discover the origins and culture of one of the most iconic and enduring military figures: the Highland soldier. Over a hundred artifacts — from fearsome broadswords to resplendent tartans — connect the fierce and respected clan warriors to the proud military traditions of Highland regiments in Canada today.
Neanderthals
May 17, 2019 – January 26, 2020
Canadian Museum of History
This major exhibition from the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (France) provides new insight into Neanderthals based on the most recent scientific discoveries. See exceptional fossils rarely shown to the public from Europe’s most prominent research institutions. Discover how Neanderthals lived throughout Eurasia for 300,000 years before mysteriously disappearing 30,000 years ago. And learn how this species of the genus Homo is much more like us than we previously thought!
For more museum exhibits and happenings, check out our online Event Calendar.
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