Accessibility
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria understands that access needs are different for everyone and that these needs can also change every day. We are committed to offering meaningful access and services to make our institution and programs as accessible and barrier-free as possible.
If you have suggestions about this information or our accessibility services, please email info@aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171 x 0.
LEISURE ASSISTANT PASS
The Leisure Assistant Pass is for people with disabilities of all ages who require the assistance of a support person when engaging in leisure activities. Upon presentation of the pass at a participating venue, one support person will be provided free admission, facilitating participation while ensuring the person with a disability does not pay double for their admission. Passes are valid for a three-year term from the date of issue. As support persons may change, the pass will be issued to the person with a disability.
APPLY FOR PASS
REQUESTING OR INQUIRING ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS
We will do our best to accommodate your needs when you arrive, however, we need 2-3 weeks advance notice for specific requests such ASL interpretation. For more information about specific requests: info@aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171 x 0.
GETTING TO THE GALLERY
Address
The Gallery is located at 1040 Moss Street, and sits on the intersection of Wilspencer Place and Moss Street. VIEW GOOGLE MAP.
Accessible Entrance
The main entrance has four steps with a handrail and a heavy pull bar door. The main entrance is also wheelchair accessible with a ramp on the left side of the entrance with no handrail. There is one set of power doors located at the left side of the entrance at the top of the ramp.
Car Parking
There is one free accessible parking space across from the main entrance of the Gallery. Please note that although the parking lot is paved, it is uneven in places. In addition, there is a loading zone with a curb cut-out in front of the Gallery’s doors.
Bike Rack
There is one bike rack with six spots available for bikes. The path from the sidewalk leading up to the bike rack is grassy and uneven.
Public Transporation
The Gallery is located near the following bus stops:
• The Fort and Moss bus stop serving lines 11, 14, and 15.
• The Fort and Linden bus stop serving line 22.
All BC Transit buses are wheelchair accessible. For handyDART, BC Transit’s accessible, door-todoor shared transit service, please contact BC Transit at 250-727-7811.
MOVING THROUGH THE GALLERY
There is a ramp leading up to all exhibition areas. Please note that the upper-level administration offices are not open to the public or wheelchair accessible. There are no power doors to the exhibition areas, and the doors have a pull/push bar handle. Although there is a floor plan available, exhibition spaces may be hard to navigate. Staff is available for assistance or guidance.
Washrooms
Four gender-neutral single-stall washrooms are available, two close to the front lobby and two in the back exhibition spaces. All washrooms are wheelchair accessible but do not have power doors (knob handles). One washroom has a baby change table, a safety grab bar, and soap and paper towels at a lower height. All washrooms are accessed by ramps. The front two washrooms are available to use without paid admission.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibition spaces. If you wish, you can leave and re-enter the Gallery later during the same day. There are several restaurants and coffee shops a few blocks away on Cook and Fort Streets. Staff are available to give suggestions and directions.
Seating
Wooden benches without arms are available for seating inside the exhibition spaces.
Outdoor Courtyard
The outdoor courtyard, which includes the shinto shrine, is not wheelchair accessible. The courtyard can be accessed from the Spencer Mansion with nine steps and without a railing for the last two steps, and from the exhibition hallway with eight steps with a railing.
ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN VISITING THE GALLERY
Financial Accessibility
It is thanks to the Lekwungen speaking people – Songhees and Esquimalt Nations – that we are able to live, play, and explore art here. The AGGV does not charge admission to Indigenous Peoples.
In addition, support workers and personal care attendants receive free admission when supporting individuals. There is discounted admission for military and their families.
The first Tuesday of every month is admission by donation.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at the Gallery. There are outdoor green spaces for service animals about 10 feet outside our front entrance to the side of the parking lot.
Coats and Bags
An unsupervised coat room and a limited number of locked cabinets are available for storing backpacks and large bags. Large backpacks are not allowed in the exhibition areas.
Tours
Free drop-in tours are available on Saturdays and exhibition engagements are available on Sundays with admission.
Language
Staff have been trained through the We Speak Translate program to use the Google Translate App as a way of bridging communication gaps between staff and visitors.
Borrowing Accessibility Equipment
A manual wheelchair, walker, and magnifying glasses are available free of charge at the front desk. There is no need to book ahead of time and the equipment is given out on a first come first served basis.
Overstimulated
Sensory kits are available free of charge at the front desk. Kits include a backpack with noise reduction headphones, sunglasses for blocking out light, fidgets, and a timer for time management. There is no need to book ahead of time and the equipment is given out on a first come first served basis.
For those who may be overstimulated, quieter locals in the gallery include the outside courtyard.
