During renovations some of the permanent galleries have been off - limits .
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Originally opened to the public in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum has always been a fascinating place to see beautiful and wonderful art treasures of the world, but now the museum itself has become one of Toronto's treasures of architecture with a recent $270 Million renovation by architect Daniel Libeskind. Known as the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal (a title bestowed mainly to recognize the main donation by the Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc, Michael Lee-Chin), the "ROM" (as the museum is known), has become a diamond in the golden up-market shopping band that is Bloor street.
Toronto is quite frankly not known for its stunning architecture and more often than not, city council is accused of approving projects that would look better submerged in Lake Ontario rather than erected on the streets of the city. However, both the ROM and the Art Gallery of Ontario have undergone renovation fever, with the ROM coming out on top as a "must see" attraction.
Curation in the museum itself has always been top notch, making the total holdings within the permanent collection close to six million items and making the ROM itself one of North America's largest museums. The ROM is also the world's largest field-research centre with research and conservation activities that span the globe. From fieldwork to onsite laboratory work, museum staff study artifacts and specimens to further our understanding of the collections and the world. Not to mention, the current and temporary exhibitions are always well worth checking out. Admission to the museum is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $14 for children ages 5-14, and free for children under 4.
Until September 3, 2007: "Ancient Peru Unearthed: Golden Treasures of a Lost Civilization" brings to the public the long-hidden golden treasures of the Sicán civilization, a mysterious pre-Inca people who prospered off the northern coast of Peru as early as AD 700. Unlike the well-known Incans, the Sicán culture remains somewhat of a mystery. What these artifacts tell us however is that they were extremely skilled metallurgists who produced complicated ceremonial regalia, headdresses, jewellery, and religious ornaments all out of gold and precious stones. Many of the items on display come from the most important acheaological site in South America: Batán Grande which, it has been discovered, is a sprawling complex of adobe pyramids and plazas. Admission to the exhibit is included in the General admission ticket.
"Hiroshi Sugimoto: History of History" (on until August 12, 2007) is a personally curated exhibit of the master artist's own photography intermingled with prehistoric fossil specimens and an enormous range of traditional Japanese artwork from his private collection. Some more recent works by Mr. Sugimoto have been customized for the installation, including a "response" to the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal designed by Daniel Libeskind.
All visitors are welcome to sketch in the galleries using pen and pencils only, with the exception of some temporary exhibitions. Easels however, are not permitted. Non-commercial flashless photography is permitted for the general collection, although it may be prohibited for certain selected exhibitions. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome and there is ample seating in a number of galleries. A limited number of wheelchairs and scooters are available free of charge and all floors are accessible by elevator and chair lifts. Accessibity by public transportation is quite excellent as the museum is centrally located on two subway lines and is within walking distance from Yonge Street or Spadina Avenue.
Unfortunately during the renovation period, access to the dinosaur exhibit and other areas of interest had been restricted so it is still a good idea to call ahead to determine what areas of the permanent collection is now open to the public. For General Inquiries in both French and English, the local ten digit phone number is: 416.586.8000.
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