The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, which is dedicated to presenting an
overview of the artistic, intellectual and scientific contributions that Muslim civilisations have made to
world heritage, will open its doors to the public on the 18th
The Museum’s Permanent Collection of over 1,000 objects includes masterpieces that reflect a broad
range of artistic styles and materials. These portraits, textiles, miniatures, manuscripts, ceramics, tiles,
medical texts, books and musical instruments represent more than ten centuries of human history and a
geographic area stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to China.
Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, the Museum shares a 6.8-hectare (17-acre) site with Toronto’s
Ismaili Centre, which was designed by architect Charles Correa. The surrounding landscaped park,
designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, will provide an exciting new green space for the city
“One of the lessons we have learned in recent years is that the world of Islam and the Western world need
to work together much more effectively at building mutual understanding – especially as these cultures
interact and intermingle more actively,” commented His Highness the Aga Khan. “We hope that this
museum will contribute to a better understanding of the peoples of Islam in all of their religious, ethnic,
linguistic and social diversity.”
From their earliest origins, Muslim civilisations have been characterised by a remarkable diversity
of geographies, languages, and cultures. Toronto – and Canada more generally – is internationally
recognised for embracing such diversity. The city therefore provides an ideal home for an institution that
strives to promote mutual understanding, respect and tolerance among the world’s cultures.
“The Aga Khan Museum has an international outlook,” observes Henry Kim, Director of the Museum.
“Home to a collection of astonishingly beautiful works of art, it will showcase the artistic creativity and
achievements of Muslim civilisations from Spain to China. I think local and international visitors will
be greatly surprised when they discover just how much the arts of Muslim civilisations are a part of our
shared global cultural heritage.”
Since 2007, over 1 million people have experienced the splendour of the Aga Khan Museum Collection.
The Musée du Louvre in Paris, the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Gulbenkian Museum
in Lisbon, the Martin-Gropius-Bau in Berlin, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum in Istanbul, the Islamic Arts
Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore have all hosted
temporary exhibitions of major works of art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection.
For more information about the Aga Khan Museum, its upcoming exhibitions and programming, please
visit www.agakhanmuseum.org