The Textile Museum of Canada, at 55 Centre Avenue in downtown Toronto, is the only museum in the country devoted solely to textile arts. Founded in 1975, it draws art lovers, historians and makers who want to see cloth as both cultural record and contemporary art form (source: Textile Museum Shop).
The museum draws on a permanent collection of more than 15,000 objects from around the world, including carpets, garments, ceremonial cloths and quilts. It shows these historic pieces alongside work by living artists. A recent anniversary program marked five decades of exhibitions with work by Bev Koski, Marimekko, Melinda Patterson, Thor Hansen and You Wenfeng (source: Textile Museum of Canada). Its newest show, Retracing Tatreez: Palestinian Thobes through the 20th Century, opened September 24, 2026. It presents embroidered dresses from the collection, many of which have never been exhibited before (source: Findglocal). The galleries are compact, and hands-on stations and workshops give families and younger visitors a tactile way into the material.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Weekend afternoons fill up, especially when workshops are running. Hours and admission policies change from season to season, so check the museum’s visit page before you go. The museum sits one block east of University Avenue, just south of Dundas Street. St. Patrick subway station on Line 1 is a short walk away. Pair your visit with the Art Gallery of Ontario, Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall or a meal in nearby Chinatown. Leave time for the museum shop, which stocks handmade textiles and design books.
