|
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Discover Montreal's Cultural Heart Where World-Class Art Meets Hands-On Creativity for Your Teens!
For over 160 years, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has been a cultural landmark in the heart of the city. This encyclopedic museum offers an extraordinary journey through art history, from ancient civilizations to contemporary masterpieces, spread across five interconnected pavilions. With nearly 47,000 works in its collection, the museum complex also includes the Bourgie concert hall, an art house movie theatre (Cinéma du Musée), a sculpture garden, bookstore, and café. As a pioneer in art therapy programming, the MMFA provides teenagers and young adults with opportunities to explore diverse artistic traditions, discover new perspectives, and create their own art in free workshops.
|
|
When:
Closed Mondays
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., major exhibition until 9 p.m.
Where:
1380 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5
🚇 Guy-Concordia
Highlights:
- Encyclopedic Collection Spanning Centuries: The MMFA houses an impressive range of nearly 47,000 artworks across five pavilions, featuring works spanning from antiquity to contemporary installations. Teenagers can encounter masterworks by renowned artists like Monet, Rembrandt, and Picasso alongside powerful pieces from Indigenous artists, Quebec and Canadian creators, and international contemporary voices, offering multiple entry points for different interests and sparking conversations about art across cultures and time periods.
- Art Hive Free Creative Workshops: This unique free drop-in studio welcomes teens and adults to create art in a supportive, judgment-free environment. With all materials provided at no cost and guidance from both a museum mediator and an art therapist, participants can explore their creativity at their own pace using painting, drawing, collage, and other media. The Art Hive runs Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., plus Friday through Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., making it an accessible and therapeutic creative outlet for young people.
- Indigenous Art and Perspectives: The museum's expanding collection of Indigenous art includes works from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists displayed in dedicated gallery spaces. Recent installations feature contemporary Indigenous artists who challenge historical narratives and offer powerful perspectives on identity, land, and resilience. This collection provides important opportunities for teenagers to engage with Indigenous voices and understand the complex histories and vibrant contemporary cultures of the peoples whose lands we occupy.
- Diverse Contemporary Art Galleries: The MMFA's contemporary art spaces feature thought-provoking installations and works that address current social issues, identity, technology, and global challenges. These galleries tend to resonate particularly well with teenagers, as the art often speaks directly to questions and concerns relevant to their generation, from climate change to social justice to the digital age.
Recommended Audience:
This experience is perfect for families with teens and young adults in Montreal who appreciate art and culture, enjoy exploring museums at their own pace, want exposure to diverse artistic traditions, or are interested in hands-on creative opportunities in a professional museum setting.
What to Expect:
A self-guided exploration through five interconnected pavilions featuring permanent collections and special exhibitions, with opportunities to view everything from ancient artifacts to cutting-edge contemporary art, plus the option to participate in free Art Hive workshops.
|
|
Some things to consider during your visit:
-
Art Hive Tickets Are First Come, First Served: The popular Art Hive workshops are free, but tickets are distributed on-site the day of the activity on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited spaces available. If participating in the Art Hive is a priority for your visit, arrive early and head to the ticket distribution point as soon as the museum opens to secure your spot, rather than planning to join spontaneously later in the day.
- Parking Can Be Challenging: The museum does not have its own parking facilities. Street parking on Sherbrooke Street and surrounding areas can be difficult to find, particularly on weekends. Metered spots fill quickly, and rates can add up during a longer visit. Consider taking public transit via the Guy-Concordia metro station, or budget extra time and potentially higher costs if you need to park in a commercial lot.
- Save Money by Booking Online: Admission tickets are $2 cheaper when purchased online compared to at the door. Take a few minutes to book online before your visit rather than paying the higher walk-up price, and you'll also have the convenience of skipping the ticket line.
Disclosure: We received a complimentary pass from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to experience their museum in exchange for our coverage.
|