The Art Gallery of Alberta occupies a standout building on Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton — a swirl of stainless steel and zinc that is either inspired or ostentatious, depending on who you ask. Inside, the collection is strong on Alberta and Canadian artists, with rotating exhibitions that bring international work to the city.
The permanent collection covers more than six thousand works, with particular depth in Canadian contemporary art and historical works from the prairies. The temporary exhibition programme is ambitious for a city of Edmonton's size — major touring shows from Europe and North America appear here regularly. The ground-floor café and the gift shop are good; the café in particular is a useful downtown lunch stop even on days when the galleries don't pull you in.
Admission is charged for temporary exhibitions; the permanent collection is often accessible at reduced rates. Free admission on certain days — check the gallery's calendar before visiting.