Lovely cafe

We ate in the cafe and skipped the museum. Really good food. We were short on time, and though we were hungry for art, we were much more hungry for food, so the cafe won our $20 per person instead of the gallery. Next time maybe?

Waste of time and money

Art is personal of course. Sadly though apart from one floor, and a small sample of " Canadian " artists, it was a waste of $20 per adult. We were advised the tickets could get us in and out all day.....we were done in an hour tops ! Not impressed.

Best Art Gallery in Vancouver

Enjoyed the presentation & Exhibition of Douglas Coupland's work, some of which was quite eccentric!
The gallery building itself is fabulous architecturally-speaking with wonderfully renovated interiors. Absolutely worth visiting! The cafe is excellent - top notch food can be ordered here and on a sunny day, bring your tray outside on the patio.

Mr Gumhead outside the Vancouver Art Gallery

Cool concept by artist Douglas Coupland - gum-based, crowd sourced, publically interactive and social sculpture.

Good art gallery

Thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent Edward Burtynsky Terrible Beauty exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Warranted two visits! Excellent Gift Shop.

Good presentation, nice atmosphere

We went for the Douglas Coupland (ends Sept 1 2014) exhibit which is excellent. See it if you can. We ended up spending 2.5 hours touring the exhibits. The Gallery is well laid out and the pacing/signage is excellent. Parking is available next door in Pacific Center, off Robson. Beware the many 1-way streets

Loved Special Exhibits

Visited during the Douglas Coupland Exhibit and the Lost in the Memory Palace Exhibit. Loved the Coupland Exhibit which I thought was well-curated and made me appreciate an artist I knew nothing about. The Lost in the Memory Palace Exhibit was intriguing and interactive and at times a little creepy which I am sure was the point. The permanent collections... more

Very good particularly Douglas Coupland

Very much enjoyed our trip to the art gallery. Great building. The Douglas Coupland exhibit is fun and thought provoking. Not overly excited about the paintings on level 2 but the exhibits on level 3 are quirky/strange and we liked them although possibly a bit abstract for some. Glad we went.

Go see Coupland

I think it is unfair to compare with the Louvre...I doubt the budgets compare. The Coupland display made me think about modern life and what it mqeans... Make time to go.

Not impressed

We must say that we were very unimpressed with the Vancouver Art Gallery. It doesn't even come close to the Louve or the Chicago Art Institute. The Harold Egerton exhibit was interesting however.

Coupland is such fun

Fabulous imagination, sense of fun and irony (have a read of some of his novels) - the outside Gumhead is a delight. We went to the Tuesday afternoon special (ie donations) from 5 to 9 and there were loads of people enjoying themselves and smiling at Coupland's view of Canada and Canadians. Very good natured. Go soon

Always Something Different

I always enjoy my visits to this gallery as there is always something new and fresh to see. It has a mix of old and new. Although, some of the new installations are a bit beyond me. But, it doesn't stop me enjoying my time here.
The exhibition by Douglas Coupland is quirky and interesting. The Bubblehead by the entrance... more

Always a Treat

If you enjoy art galleries this is worth the time. Some very interesting exhibits. We visited in July of 2014. The Douglas Coupland exhibit was Great. Truly enjoyed his work. Fascinating Gum Head Self Portrait out on the Gallery lawn.

Excellent venue

We really enjoyed our visit to the gallery. The Douglas Coupland exhibition that was on during our visit was brilliant and the permanent history of Canadian Art exhibition was absorbing. Added to which there is an excellent café with attractive outside patio area where we had good value and quality morning coffee and lunch.

Well worth a trip

The Vancouver Art Gallery had a great exhibition of Burtinsky photographs when I visited in May 2014. They also have Canadian artists and other paintings on show. Good restaurant for a snack or lunch, and very interesting gift shop to purchase local products to do with art - Emily Carr mugs for example.

Worth a Visit

The Gallery has great contemporary art by Canadian artists. It's definitely worth the visit. And, the building itself is worth exploring.

Wonderful Art Gallery

My wife and I visited the Art Gallery primarily because of the Douglas Coupland exhibit. Our son has long admired Coupland's work, and suggested we visit the museum during our trip to Vancouver.
We were highly impressed with both the museum and with Coupland's work. If you're at all interested in Coupland, I think you will enjoy the visit. My... more

Douglas Coupland exhibition at the Art Gallery

The current exhibition of works in various media by Douglas Coupland at the Vancouver Art Gallery, just across the street from the Hotel Vancouver, is a must see.
Coupland is a local artist and writer, and the variety of works presented in this exhibition is breathtaking and inspiring. Suffice it to say that you will be filled with wonder, you... more

Art Gallery

the vancouver art gallery is a good rainy day outing. Its conveniently located in central downtown vancouver. Its gor a good collection of Canadian art --emily carr etc

Where is the art

It is outrageous that you are asked to pay to visit this 'attraction' - a quite impressive building, but no art to speak of. There was an impressive exhibition of Hotel architecture but that is not art. The City Fathers should be ashamed of themselves, and should rectify the situation by digging deep into their pockets to endow this fine... more

Douglas Coupland fan

My wife & I squeezed in a two hour visit to the VAG as part of a recent trip to see family just outside of Vancouver. As a fan of Douglas Coupland it was his exhibit that I was going to see. I was very impressed. Photography is encouraged, and I am glad to have taken some pictures. $20 each... more

Even though Emily Carr wasn't on view

I became enchanted with Emily Carr's work on a previous trip to Victoria. My husband and I planned a morning at the Gallery to see her work. After paying the entrance fee, we learned that we wouldn't have access to that part of the Gallery where her work was hung until the following day. We weren't going to be in... more

A Mind Blowing Sunday Morning Experience

When I lived in Toronto I would visit the AGO every Tuesday. The VGA rivals the AGO on every level. The Copeland expo currently on is 'mind blowing' and the Gallery's Emily Carr collection is unrivaled. A must-see experience in downtown Van. Also the center of the universe for the famed Van Intl. Jazz Festival and 4/20 celebrations.

Great art, jolly good cafe too

In a spacious and light- filled building the art lover can spend several happy hours. My tastes in art tend to the conventional, though I do not dismiss all more recent forms. People like me can spend most of their time on the second floor enjoying the landscapes and portraits and spotting the influences that seep into the work off... more

A great Art Gallery

Visitors interested in Art, especially works produced by artists from British Columbia, the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is not to be missed.
Located in a beautiful building on 750, Hornby Street, VAG is the 5th largest art gallery in Canada.
Its great collection includes artists from British Columbia, from other parts of Canada and also international artists, with emphasis on... more

Not essential

Not a huge collection, with a few interesting pieces. If you have extra time or if it is a rainy day it is worthful. Otherwise, visit other places.
However, as positive, an incredibly kind staff, not expansive and very well located!!

Needs work

Attended a dinner function held on the roof which was really a great venue. But as an art gallery, however, needs some work. One of the strangest art gallerys I've ever visited. A large portion of the gallery is under renovation. I enjoyed one photo exhibit. I'd put a visit here on hold until the renovations are complete.

Worst Gallery In All My Travels

In all my travels to 30+ countries I have never been so disappointed or felt so ripped off by any attraction, let alone an art gallery. There were seven of us forcing ourselves to find something to justify paying $20 per person, but to no avail. The Louvre, the Met, the Tate, the British Museum, SFMOMA, the Egyptian Museum of... more

Great Canadian Art

I saw the sign as we drove by the outside the museum "The Seven Canadian Artists' History" exhibit, and thought it was there last Tuesday. Unfortunately it is not set to open until June 28. I was disappointed. However, we saw instead Douglas Coupland's exhibit. WOW! If you are not familiar with his work, take the audio guide and Douglas... more

Worst Art Gallery I Have Ever Visited

My husband and I paid the senior rate of $30 yesterday and were in and out of the Vancouver Art Gallery in less than 15 minutes. All we could find to view were a child's Lego display, some modern art pictures, three of which seemed to be blank mirrors and a few photographs. On asking where the paintings were, e.g.... more

Vancouver Art Gallery

The gallery is on the city center,during the day it was very cheerful to spend some time around the pool and savour the sunny day with friends,there was an Olimpic Countdown on the right corner of the Museum which creates an excitement for the Olimpics,was very fun to have photos.

Small Art Gallery- collection ok... kid friendly

Went there today with the family. The Douglas Copeland exhibit was on - it was good. The displays were well done. The 2nd and 3rd floors were closed for reno's and new exhibits.
The Art of Vancouver is in the center of downtown Vancouver - plenty of other amenities to explore.
The Gallery is just ok - if you miss... more

Don't waste your money

The Majority of the gallery is currently closed, but there is no reduction on the $20/ head entrance fee. However, even if it had been free entry I would have considered it a waste of my time. I appreciate that art is very much personal taste and what was on display did not appeal to me. But I have never... more

Expensive ticket for partially closed gallery

We visited the art gallery and we were warned that parts of the gallery were closed but we were disappointed that there was no reduction in the $20 per adult entrance fee. At that stage we expected that there would be more to see. Inside we were disappointed and also there was very noisy work being undertaken to set up... more

Pay What You Can Tuesday

Evenings on Tuesdays are pay what you can. Expected a long lineup and crowds inside, but it was quite pleasant. Just missed a major exhibition, so the ground floor was barren of work. Loved the photography exhibit and the fact that the displayed works have a lot of room around them. What a beautiful building! Need to go inside just... more

An uninteresting rabble of displays

We went expecting some quality Canadian art displays. Very disappointed to find a heap of photos and meaningless puffy things. $30 wasted.

Very disappointing

2 exhibitions were on when we visited. You could walk through both in about 15 minutes. $52 CAD for 2 seniors & adult & a toddler? Not value for money!

Lawren Harris retrospective

The Vancouver Art Gallery is housed in a lovely historic building in the centre of Vancouver. There is a self service restaurant with a terrace and the food choices were creative and well priced.
The Lawren Harris retrospective was well laid out and exhibited works spanning 60 years of this Group of Seven artists works.

Terrible. Worst major gallery in Canada

Looking to be inspired? Keep looking. This is the weakest major art gallery in Canada and not worth the entrance fee. I go regularly hoping for improvement but it just seems to get worse. This is what I saw on my latest visit - a drum set with mobile hanging over it. Large photographs with a yellow filter of people... more

It was in repair

It was quite expensive. As there was two floors in repair, maybe now they have more options, but at that time there was not much too see. Although, I enjoyed very much the few sculptures or American First Nations that I could see.

Nice small museum

Not crowded...$21.00 Canadian adult entry. 4 floors, the bottom floor was being set up for next exhibition. A nice mix of modern, old Picasso sketches and photographes. I was fortunate to have walked into the filmroom when the Edward Burtynsky WaterMark documentary was starting. Fascinating 1.5 hour documentary about our water use & chinese dams and how important water is... more

Disappointing

I went to the art gallery with the hopes of seeing some local paintings and perhaps some of the Group of Seven (which they sell prints of in the gift shop). We did see the Emily Carr "scorned" exhibit, which was interesting, but everything else at the gallery was photographs or very odd "art". I understand there are plans in... more

Too much for too little

It was my mistake, but I gave this gallery a second chance. For an adult price ($17.85) the museum offers way too little. the many "special exhibitions" on the brochure amounted to very few objects that in any other museum would have been an unmentioned alcove. Unless the museum is exhibiting your main topic of interest you will cover it... more

Art Gallery

Been to different cities and had visited different art galleries. I am not impress with this place. The reason I chose this attraction is because it is recommended by the Vancouver tourism. I usually get brochures from the tourism of the city that i want to visit and chose the attractions to go to. I felt the gallery is small... more

So bad it's embarrassing. Pricey too

Yes, they have 'entry by donation' Tues evening, but expect a bit of attitude if you don't want to fork over anything. But seriously- $20.00!? That's more than I've paid for any single museum or gallery in the world. The collection... well I'd be pretty disappointed if I'd paid full price for this place at the best of times. It's... more

Fabulous

Beautiful place These are the shows I saw and I can't decide which I liked best.
Lawren Harris
Canadian Visionary
March 1 to May 4, 2014
A Terrible Beauty
Edward Burtynsky
March 1 to May 26, 2014

Impress your girl- take her to the Vancouver Art Gallery

We are not artists nor art snobs but we usually love what VAG offers.
Recently they had the works of Charles Edenshaw whose work is found in museums and private collections around the world.
Right now the works of Varley are featured.
A year or so ago they had an extensive collection of the impressionists- Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, etc... more

Powerful Exhibitions

The earlier entry by CanBrit1 sums up the current Harris and Burtynsky exhibitions beautifully. I also appreciated the transition to Emily Carr's "Scorn" presentation that neatly anchored both sides of Burtynsky's photographs. There are powerful connective themes that interact with all three major artists.
It is such a treat in this instantaneous digital age to see the raw brush strokes... more

Really great Exhibits in excellent facility

The Lauren Harris Exhibit places the better known mountain forms into a biographical perspective. Really interesting to see the lumberman paintings that show the hard lives of those who were coureurs de bois and the streetscapes so like other members of the group of 7. The gradual move from Tom Tomson-like Algonquin studies through Superior North to the Arctic formalism... more

Limited display

Limited access due to changes in most galleries. Only had access to Emily Carr paintings, was pleasantly surprised. Entrance fee was reduced and free poster was a nice touch. Decided to eat in museum cafe but so did others so ran out of food choices. The food looked good.
Also had free music concert, which I understood was a regular... more

"17th Century Dutch and Flemish Masters" on 15-9-2013

This exhibition, for a non-connoisseur, was utterly disappointing, underwhelming and insipid. Secondly, the lighting seemed to impose a yellow tone on the paintings.

Yo, this place got art an' stuff.

I seen it, on the walls.

It was a fascinating representation of the ingenuity of the human creative spirit.

Yeah.

Good art, yo.

The gallery is nicely located and the staff is very nice. However, the art part is somewhat underwhelming. Before you decide to go, check what the current expositions are. Otherwise, you might have a bad surprise.

Friendly staff, beautiful building, permanent exhibit was overrated. Art Spiegelman exhibit was somewhat interesting. Wouldn't go back.

I like going on the Tuesday "by donation" day. It's always worth an hour or two of time, but I wouldn't pay $20 (which is admission every other day)

Went to the Impressionist exhibit and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great opportunity to see great art but also found the story of the impressive Cone sisters very interesting. Followed with lunch on the terrace - absolutely delightful. Great food, reasonably priced.