Due to COVID-19, the art storage vaults of the National Gallery of Canada remain closed until further notice. Please check out our reopening FAQ page often for the latest info.
Viewing Painting, Sculpture, Decorative and Media Arts collections in Storage
For individuals and small academic groups interested in researching or viewing the paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, media arts and contemporary and indigenous photography collections, which are not on view in our public galleries, you are invited to request permission to view the art in our art storage vaults. To view original works of art on paper that are part of the National Gallery’s national collections of prints, drawings and photographs, please consult Prints, Drawings and Photographs Study Room.
Visits to view works of art in art storage vaults are by appointment only, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. To request an appointment, please fill out all sections of the Visitor Application Form and send it minimum two weeks in advance for individual appointments and minimum four weeks in advance for academic group appointments. A member of our staff will contact you after having assessed your request, verified our availabilities as well as the accessibility of the artworks requested.
For individuals:
At the time of your appointment, please arrive at the Curatorial Wing Security Desk 10 minutes in advance to register.
For academic groups:
At the time of your appointment, please arrive at the Group Entrance 10 minutes in advance to register. Please note that group visits to the galleries must be organized separately through Group Tours and Reservations (613-990-4888 or [email protected]).
Please note that food, drinks and ink pens are not allowed in the art storage vaults and Study Room, and be advised that all visitors will be asked to leave outdoor apparel as well as bags, purses and umbrellas in the Group Entrance Cloakroom or the lobby of the Study Room. Cell phones must be turned off and left in the lobby too. Sketching is not permitted.
Photography is not allowed in the art storage vaults. If you wish to obtain an image for research purposes, please fill out our online order form.
If you wish to have access to the Curatorial files for the works of art to be viewed, please confirm this in your registration.