Explore the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)

1380 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H3G 1J5, Canada

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Phone +1 514-285-2000

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Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: A First in Canada

Attracting nearly one million visitors every year, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, originally named the Art Association of Montreal, was established in 1860. Founded by a group of affluent art enthusiasts in Montreal, this institution was the first of its kind in the country, though initially it operated as a traveling art exhibit without a permanent home.

It wasn’t until 1879 that the association found its first proper location adjacent to Phillips Square on Ste. Catherine Street. Remarkably, this venue was the first building in Canada specifically designed to house art, though it was eventually demolished. In 1912, the Art Association of Montreal relocated to its current site on Sherbrooke Street in the Museum Quarter. By 1948, this preeminent Canadian art institution officially adopted the name Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Permanent Collection: From Free to Not as Free

The museum aimed to be affordable and accessible to all. For many years, it operated under a free permanent collection policy from 1996 until March 31, 2014, which included 41,000 objects featuring:

• European art (including works by Picasso, Dali, and Matisse)
• Canadian art (spanning artists from Antoine Plamondon to Pierre Gauvreau)
• Decorative arts (showcasing items from the Renaissance to contemporary industrial design)
• Contemporary arts (with representations from Riopelle, Basquiat, and Joan Miro)
• Ancient cultures (including Tang Dynasty earthenware and Coptic textiles)
• Mediterranean archaeology (a comprehensive collection of Roman, Greek, and Ancient Egyptian artifacts)

As of April 1, 2014, visitors aged 30 and over must pay an admission fee to view the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ permanent collection, with specific exceptions noted below.

During a press conference, MMFA general director Nathalie Bondil explained that the museum was the last major Canadian museum to offer free access to its permanent collection. With plans for expansion—including a new pavilion dedicated to educational and community activities set to open in 2017—the museum faced no alternative but to implement admission fees.

Update from November 19, 2016: The new Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace is open to the public free of charge until January 15, 2017. It boasts four floors featuring over 750 works, emphasizing Romanticism, Caravaggism, and Italian Renaissance art, along with notable pieces from 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters like Snyders and the Brueghels.

Temporary Exhibits

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts several major exhibitions each year that cover an extensive range of themes, appealing to diverse audiences from highbrow art enthusiasts to pop culture fans. Past temporary exhibits have included:

• The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk
• Once Upon a Time Walt Disney: The Sources of Inspiration for the Disney Studios
• Hitchcock and Art
• Picasso Érotique

Family Weekends

Every weekend, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers engaging activities that are so enjoyable, participants may not even realize they are educational. Primarily consisting of arts and crafts with an artistic twist, these activities are free to attend, including all materials. Previous activities have included mask-making and live model drawing (with clothed models). While some workshops may require passes, they are issued free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. in the Family Lounge area. Limited space may apply for certain workshops.

Le Beaux Arts Bistro & Le Beaux Arts Restaurant

For visitors seeking a light snack, lunch, or coffee, the MMFA’s Beaux Arts Bistro is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a more substantial meal, the Le Beaux Arts Restaurant serves lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 514 285-2000 extension #7. Please note that operating hours are subject to change without prior notice.

Opening Hours

The museum’s opening hours are as follows:

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday (permanent collection and “discovery” exhibits)
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday (temporary exhibits)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• Closed Mondays
• Open on Labour Day Monday
• Open on Canadian Thanksgiving Monday

Note: The ticket counter closes 30 minutes before the museum’s closing time.

Admission: Temporary Exhibits

Admission prices for temporary exhibits typically fall in the $25 range but are complimentary for VIP members. Access to temporary exhibits also includes admission to the permanent collection and “discovery” exhibits at no extra cost. Visitors can enjoy half-price tickets for temporary exhibits on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., but this discount does not extend to the permanent collection or “discovery” exhibits.

Admission: Permanent Collection and “Discovery” Exhibits

The admission prices for the permanent collection and discovery exhibits are set at $15 for adults aged 31 and over. However, entry is free for individuals aged 30 and under, for seniors aged 65 and over every Thursday, free for art educators and their students (with valid school I.D.), as well as for VIP members. Additionally, publicity-free admission is available for the general public every last Sunday of the month and during select holiday periods, including spring break. Groups supported by the “Sharing the Museum” initiative also enjoy complimentary access. Please note that admission prices are subject to change.

How to Become a Montreal Museum of Fine Arts VIP Member

For an annual fee of $85, VIP members receive unlimited priority access to all temporary exhibits, “discovery” exhibits, and the permanent collection for a full year. This membership allows members to bypass queues for popular exhibitions, which can result in cost savings depending on visit frequency. Moreover, VIP members enjoy discounts on a variety of workshops and concerts organized by the museum. Annual fees are subject to change without notice.

Addresses and Contact Information

Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion: 1380 Sherbrooke Street West (corner Crescent)
Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion: 1379 Sherbrooke Street West (corner Crescent)
Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion: 1339 Sherbrooke Street West (between Crescent and de la Montagne)
Mailing address: P.O. Box 3000, Station “H,” Montreal, Quebec H3G 2T9
For information, call (514) 285-2000 or (514) 285-1600.
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
MAP

Getting There

To access the museum, use the Guy-Concordia Metro and follow directions to the general entrance and ticket counter located at the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion at 1380 Sherbrooke Street West.

Note that activities, schedules, opening hours, and admission prices may vary without prior notice.

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