The Art Gallery of Hamilton was founded in 1914 and is now Ontario's third largest public art gallery. It also owns one of the finest collections in Canada. In total the gallery has over 8,500 pieces in its permanent collection having thre emajor collecting and programming strengths: 19th Century European, Historical Canadian and Contemporary Canadian

In 2003, the Art Gallery of Hamilton underwent a huge renovation project. It reconstructed the aging building into an international art destination protecting it from leaks in the ceiling all over the building. All the constrution was funded by the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, the City of Hamilton, Dofasco, and the support from corporations and foundations.