Plan your visit to CLAY, offering a seasonal menu of fresh local fare in one of the city's most beautiful spaces. Try our newly-launched spring menu today!
See an extraordinary spectrum of contemporary works, including vessels, figurative sculpture, and abstract forms in The Diana Reitberger Collection, on display in our Modern and Contemporary Ceramics Gallery.
Our new kids clay camps now include earlier start times, art-filled field trips, and fresh new themes. Register now for a summer of creative hands-on fun!
The Gardiner Museum is among the few museums in the world focused on ceramics, and is one of the most important specialty museums internationally. It houses approximately 4,000 objects, including European porcelain, ceramics from the Ancient Americas, Chinese porcelain, Japanese porcelain, and contemporary ceramics. Search the collection online!
Everyone can love clay! Become a Friend at one of the world’s great specialty museums and enjoy the benefits, including unlimited admission, invitations to exhibition previews and special events, discounts on lectures and clay classes, and more.
A dedicated group of individuals who are championing the power and potential of art, clay, and culture. YPC membership is for the next generation of Gardiner Museum supporters up to 45 years of age.
Become a YPC member
Launched in 2015, the Gardiner Museum’s Young Patron Circle (YPC) program offers young professionals exclusive opportunities to connect with a like-minded community of culturally-engaged individuals looking to improve their own knowledge of art, culture, and collecting, while providing philanthropic support to a world-renowned cultural institution and shaping its future.
Joining the YPC means building connections to local artists, curators, and collections; access to exclusive patron events; participation in our Patron Insider Events; invitations to special studio and home visits; and a complimentary ticket to SMASH, the Gardiner’s annual art party hosted by the YPC.
Our YPC Committee welcomes new members. Join today if you’re creative, open-minded, and committed to the arts.
For more information, please contact us at 416.586.8080 or mail@gardinermuseum.com.
Benefits
By joining the YPC you will gain exclusive access to a museum unique in Toronto. You will enjoy:
Upcoming events
Note: Programs marked with (*) are complimentary for YPC members. Tickets to public events can be purchased by YPC members at the Gardiner Friends rate.
June 13, 6 pm – 8 pm Patron Garden Party All Young Patron Circle members receive a complimentary invitation to the Patron Garden Party. In 2019, the Garden Party will be hosted at the home of Isadore and Rosalie Sharp.
June 26 SMASH: Nourish* Presented by RBC Wealth Management SMASH: Nourish is a night of bold artwork, delicious cuisine, refreshing drinks, and invigorating experiences. This year, we’ll explore and experiment with different forms of nourishment: food and drink, good company and conversation, and of course, art—all of which provide deep and rich sustenance.
September 17 YPC Clay Mixer*
October 15 Savour: Food Culture in the Age of Enlightenment* Patron Opening
November 21 International Ceramic Art Fair Preview Gala
Past Events
Tuesday March 26, 2019 YPC Intimate Artist Chat with Nurielle Stern* Artist Nurielle Stern chatted with YPC members about her work Unswept Floor (Tesserae), an installation of small-scale ceramic sculptures in response to the exhibition Ai Weiwei: Unbroken.
Thursday June 21, 2018 Smash: We Are More The third sold-out edition of SMASH, presented by RBC Wealth Management and curated by Art Director Jacquelyn West, took place on June 21, 2018. More than 300 guests enjoyed an evening of immersive contemporary art, experimental cuisine, and live performances inspired by the theme “We Are More.”
See the Facebook album
YPC Committee
Co-Chairs
Michael Liebrock Managing Partner, Investments & Asset Management, Stronach Group Apart from a magnificent permanent collection, the Gardiner Museum attracted me because it is a premier cultural institution with a dynamic and bright future ahead of it. It is a landmark with a solid foundation, and unlimited upward trajectory. The Gardiner is building an institution which will be even more meaningful, relevant, and engaged in the community. I am looking forward to helping build the Gardiner Museum of tomorrow.
Penny Soo Senior Marketing Partner, CI Investments Inc. Passionate about arts and culture and a big fan of Toronto, I was looking for an opportunity to be more involved in the community while being immersed in arts. After volunteering for an event at the Gardiner Museum, I loved the diversity and uniqueness of this institution. Being a founding member provides me with an outlet to hopefully bring this great museum to more people who love Toronto and love unique art. The Gardiner Museum has a wonderful vision and I’m happy to be a part of it!
Committee Members
Hughene Acheson Principal, Hughene Acheson Fine Art Consulting Hughene has always enjoyed an afternoon cup of tea, more so in a beautiful porcelain cup.
Jennifer Franks Decorative Art Specialist, Art Peritus & New York Fine Art Appraisers Working in the Decorative Arts and ceramics specifically, I had heard about the Gardiner Museum and its collections, which provided my introduction to Toronto; after making this amazing city my home, my objective was to learn more about the arts community and possibly contribute to its growth. The Gardiner graciously welcomed me, resulting in an exchange of knowledge and some cherished friendships. I most admire the Gardiner’s commitment to cross-cultural conversations through art.
Julie Hicks Riches Principal, Riches Consulting The Gardiner Museum’s unique ability to incorporate up and coming international and Canadian artists while showcasing a vast collection of our industry’s standards is an experience like no other. It’s easy to see why this hidden gem is such a treasure!
Kulin Matchhar Associate, Philanthropy, Plan International Canada From the gorgeous facade to the unique collection inside, the Gardiner Museum presents an opportunity for me to deeply engage in the arts and culture of Toronto. It is a hidden gem in the city, which I would like more people to know about and support. I am excited for the future of this fine place, and to help engage the community and bring more young patrons to discover this cultural institution.