Aga Khan Museum

Toronto

Founded in 2014 in Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum presents Islamic art and culture through exhibitions, performances, and education, fostering intercultural dialogue and global understanding.

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About Aga Khan Museum

Established on September 18, 2014, the Aga Khan Museum is located at 77 Wynford Drive in Toronto, Ontario. Dedicated to Islamic art and culture, it houses a permanent collection of over 1,200 objects spanning more than a millennium, including manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and paintings. The collection was assembled by Shah Karim al-Husayni (the Aga Khan) and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and is held under the aegis of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Fumihiko Maki, the museum shares its landscaped site with the Ismaili Centre, Toronto. Beyond its galleries, the institution features an auditorium, classrooms, a reference library, and a restaurant.

The museum presents rotating temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection, complemented by performing arts events and public programs. Its stated mission is to foster wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connections with other civilizations through the arts.

History

Plans for the museum were initiated by His Late Highness the Aga Khan as part of a broader vision to promote cross-cultural dialogue. In 2002, Toronto was selected as the site, reflecting Canada’s pluralistic ethos. The former Bata Shoes Head Office property was acquired and later demolished to make way for a purpose-built structure.

Construction formally began in 2010, with a foundation-laying ceremony attended by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Aga Khan. While the permanent building was under development, selections from the collection toured major European institutions, including the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

The museum opened to the public in 2014. Since then, it has expanded its exhibitions, educational programming, and performing arts initiatives, establishing itself as a significant cultural institution within Canada and internationally.