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Review: Aga Khan Museum

A permanent collection of over 1,000 paintings, textiles, ceramics, glassworks, manuscripts, and more.
Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada


Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, CanadaAga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada
Zoom out. What’s this place all about?
Set in an extensive complex in the North York neighborhood, with a lush park and formal gardens, this is the largest museum dedicated to Islamic arts and culture outside of any Islamic country. The museum was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, Harvard-educated spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, and opened in 2014 in a building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki. While the pieces inside span millennia, the building itself is strikingly modern, with exterior walls of Brazilian granite, an interior open-roofed courtyard, and a design that takes into consideration how the changing natural light transforms the atmosphere of the spaces throughout the day. Ye shall know them by their permanent collection: How was it?
Interior galleries are clean and modern, so as not to compete with the permanent collection of more than 1,000 pieces of paintings, textiles, ceramics, glassworks, manuscripts, and more, spanning ten centuries and a geographical area from China to the Iberian Peninsula, much of it amassed personally by the Aga Khan and his parents. (Note that only about 250 works from the permanent collection are on display at a time, with the more sensitive items like textiles and papers rotated out regularly, to limit their exposure to light.) But also by their new shoes. How were the exhibits?
Temporary exhibits are equally engaging, and might focus on a particular artist, Islamic sect, or region, or examine more contemporary issues in an artistic way. For example, one notable past exhibit addressed the role of female citizens of Saudi Arabia (and featured an installation made from women’s travel documents), while another—inspired by the 2003 destruction of the library at the University of Baghdad’s College of Fine Arts—featured an ever-evolving installation of books that were later donated to the college. What did you make of the crowd?
Since the museum is outside the main downtown corridor and tourist hubs, it's often overlooked by visitors—but many locals say it's now their favorite museum in town. Those who do venture out do so both for the unique collection and notable architecture, as well as to explore the museum's gardens and grounds. School group tours are offered, so you might come across the odd gaggle of kids. On the practical tip, how were facilities?
Despite the extensive interior space (which clocks in at close to 108,000-square-feet), the main building is relatively compact and easy to navigate. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are also available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Any guided tours worth trying?
Guided tours are available for a $10 additional charge, and focus on the main gallery, special exhibits, or the architecture; you can reserve a spot upon entry. In the summertime, you can also take a tour of the park and gardens to learn more about the inspirations behind their plantings and design; these tours are also $10, but don't require museum admission. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?
Don't miss the gift shop, which is stocked with beautiful books and art reproductions, as well as jewelry, clothing, and decorative items—much of it one-of-a-kind or custom-made for the museum. You can also shop the store online, if you're still thinking about a missed purchase once you're back home. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?
Set overlooking a serene pond and garden, the Diwan restaurant features a menu inspired by the flavors of the cuisines of Turkey, Iran, North Africa, Central Asia, and India. Sometimes they're  married with Western influences, as in the case of Moroccan-style beef poutine. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged?
Because only a quarter of the permanent collection is on display at any given time, it's easy to do a drive-by of the main galleries, with time to explore limited-run exhibits. But be sure to factor in travel time to and from the museum if you're staying downtown—and to explore the gardens if you have a green thumb.
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