The Audain Art Museum is Whistler's art museum, a collection of British Columbia art in a building on Blackcomb Way, beside the Upper Village. Its permanent collection spans historical and contemporary work, with Emily Carr's War Canoes, Alert Bay from 1912, masks by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Beau Dick, and contemporary pieces such as James Hart's The Dance Screen and photography by Jin-me Yoon. Several works came as gifts from founder Michael Audain and Yoshiko Karasawa. In November 2026, the exhibition Solstice: Through Storm and Stillness is on view from October 2, 2026 to April 12, 2027, with painting, sculpture and photography by Canadian artists who treat winter as both a physical setting and a metaphor for endurance. A new exhibition, Eleven Painters Start a War, opens on November 20, 2026 and runs to May 3, 2027. The museum is open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 6pm and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, so check the day before you go. The Tiqets entry ticket is a straightforward way to book ahead, and it is among the most rewarding indoor hours in Whistler on a rainy or very cold day.
What to look for. Start with the Northwest Coast collection, where masks and carved works show the range of First Nations art in the province, then move to the painting galleries, where Emily Carr's work anchors the story of how artists saw the coast and forest. The contemporary rooms bring the collection up to date and the temporary exhibitions change through the year. Allow time to read labels, because the stories behind the pieces are the point.
Timing. Because the museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, it works best on a Thursday to Monday, ideally on a day with poor weather for skiing. Holiday hours in December change slightly, with the museum closed on December 25. Evening events such as the Art of the Cocktail on November 13 are announced on the museum website, and members' openings happen at exhibition changeovers.
Practicalities. The museum is at 4350 Blackcomb Way, a short walk from the Upper Village and Lost Lake Park, and within a few minutes of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, so the two make a natural pair for a half-day of culture. The Tiqets ticket is listed at a modest price and confirms instantly, and the museum shop is a good place for locally made gifts. Photography rules vary by gallery, so follow the signs and ask a guide if you are unsure.
What to expect
The experience
A gallery visit through permanent British Columbia and First Nations collections plus rotating exhibitions, with a shop on site.
Best time
Open Thursday to Monday 11am to 6pm; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. A new exhibition opens November 20, 2026.
How long
Ninety minutes to two hours.
Tips
Check the closing days before you plan, book the Tiqets ticket ahead, and pair it with the Cultural Centre nearby.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers and anyone wanting an indoor, unhurried hour or two.
- Families
- Best for older children; the quiet galleries reward curiosity but not running.
- Couples
- A calm, rewarding date on a snowy afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, a short walk away.
- Time needed
- Two hours including the shop.
Good questions
When is the Audain Art Museum open?+
Thursday to Monday from 11am to 6pm, and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is closed on December 25.
What is on display now?+
Solstice: Through Storm and Stillness runs to April 12, 2027. Eleven Painters Start a War opens November 20, 2026 and runs to May 3, 2027.
What is in the permanent collection?+
Highlights include Emily Carr's War Canoes, Alert Bay, a Beau Dick Dzunukwa mask and James Hart's The Dance Screen, with works spanning carving, painting and photography.
Where is it?+
4350 Blackcomb Way in Whistler, near the Upper Village and Lost Lake Park.
Can I book tickets online?+
Yes, Tiqets sells an entry ticket that shows availability for the day. Check the closing days before choosing a date.