Land Acknowledgment
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery acknowledges that we are located on the territory of the Anishinaabe peoples of Northwestern Ontario. We work and live on the lands of the Fort William First Nation who are signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850.
The Gallery also recognizes the presence of the Métis and Inuit peoples in the area, and pays respect to elders – past, present, and future – for they hold the memories, culture, and traditions of their people.
The Gallery recognizes the many contributions Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community our province, and country as a whole.
We at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery pledge to continue to build, strengthen, and honour our relationships with Indigenous peoples in our community. We embrace our role and responsibilities in a national reconciliation process and are committed to making the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our community.
Exceptional things can happen when the love of art and a commitment to its exhibition come together. In the 1970s, the vision of a few dedicated people in our community gave life to the idea of an art gallery for Thunder Bay.
Initially, a small gallery was opened within the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society’s space. In just two years’ time, the vision had expanded and capital funds were secured to construct a National Exhibition Centre on the campus of Confederation College.
The efforts of Dr. John Augustine, his wife Annette Augustine, and other Historical Museum Society board members came to fruition in 1976 with the official opening of a 4,000 sq ft facility.
In fact, the Gallery was one of 26 newly-established national exhibition centres opened in Canadian communities. The vision of a place for the display and interpretation of art in our community was truly taking shape.
By 1982, the Thunder Bay National Exhibition Centre and Centre for Indian Art – as the Gallery was called then – had evolved into the facility we know today with three exhibition galleries, a collection storage area and new capacity for exhibition and acquisition of art.
We have continued to grow. Today, we have more than 1600 works of art in our Permanent Collection. Over 30,000 people visit us each year.
Every day, the Gallery provides school tours, hosts artistic events or shares our space with community groups. We’ve become the cultural hub committed to contemporary Indigenous, local and regional art that our founders envisioned.
The New Gallery
Discover the story behind Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s extraordinary transformation.
Our Mandate
As a non-profit, public art gallery, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery exhibits, collects, and interprets art with a particular focus on the contemporary artwork of Indigenous and Northwestern Ontario artists. The Gallery advances the relationship between artists, their art, and the public, nurturing a life-long appreciation of contemporary visual arts among visitors to Thunder Bay and community members of all ages.
Appraisals/Authentication of Art
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is unable to provide appraisals or authentication of works of art. As a public art gallery that accepts donations of art for our permanent collection, it would be a conflict of interest for us to do so. Specific professional training and experience is required to work as an art appraiser.
If you have specific questions or concerns about work by Norval Morrisseau, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery suggests that you contact one of the following appraisers:
The New Gallery
Discover the story behind Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s extraordinary transformation
Strategic Plan
Learn about Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s guiding principles and strategic pillars.