The Government of Ontario Art Collection acquires art to:

• Portray the culture, diversity and heritage of the Province;
• Enhance the public environment of government buildings;
• Supplement the existing collection of works available for loan;
• Promote and showcase contemporary Ontario artists.

Potential artwork for donation must demonstrate the following criteria:

• A clear relationship to the people and/or places and/or the history of the province;
• A high degree of technical and artistic quality;
• An acceptable condition of the artwork and ease of maintenance and conservation.

The collection is built through artwork donations, commissioned portraits of outgoing Government of Ontario officials, and the purchase or transfer of artwork from within other areas of government. Artworks accepted for donation from artists, individuals and institutions can be paintings, two-dimensional works of mixed media, works on paper, original prints, photographs, and indoor sculpture. Temporary installations and media projects are not considered suitable.

When you donate to the Government of Ontario Art Collection, your artwork becomes part of the larger narrative of Ontario. Your artwork will be reviewed to ensure it fits the acquisition criteria of the Government of Ontario Art Collection as well as establish its relevance and importance to the collection, artistic quality, authenticity and condition.

If your artwork is accepted, it will be transferred to the Government of Ontario Art Collection under a signed donation agreement. A donation agreement is negotiated between the Archives of Ontario and the donor. The donation agreement covers the following: ownership and custody, terms of use, access and copyright, and tax receipts.

Your artwork will be protected for future generations by professional staff. Your artwork will be described on our website for public access around the world.

For more information about donating artwork, please contact:

Archives of Ontario
134 Ian Macdonald Blvd
Toronto, ON
M7A 2C5
reference@ontario.ca
416-327-1600