Exploring Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
With a dizzying array of art galleries and museums in Winnipeg, you can spend days combing through them and still have lots of places to explore. If you aren’t sure how to dive into the city’s vast and thriving art scene, we’ve got you covered.
We think the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art is a great place to start because its exhibitions have never been more fun, vibrant, and varied. They’ve also got a smaller collection, making the experience more in-depth and less overwhelming for first-timers.
Here’s a little guide that will help you plan for a trip to the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art.
About the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art
Truth is, you can’t talk about art in Winnipeg without talking about the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art.
What makes it quite special is that it’s a small art gallery but also one of the most diverse. Exhibitions run the gamut from architecture, film, photography, and other mediums, rotating with frequency so we always have something new to look forward to.
Best of all, it’s free! If you’re looking for an affordable way to explore and get to know Winnipeg’s art scene, visiting this art gallery should be a great start.
How to Get to the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art
Walk: Since the art gallery is located in downtown Winnipeg, it’s within walking distance of a lot of great hotels and restaurants in the area.
Bus: If you’re coming from Forks Market, walk to the Eastbound Templeton at McPhillips stop. Hop on bus 38 and get off at the Northbound Vaughan at Portage North stop, which is a three-minute walk away from the art gallery.
Car: From Forks Market, the fastest route would be to take Main Street and turn left on St. Mary Avenue. Take a right on Smith Street and then hop on Portage Avenue until it takes you to the art gallery.
There are paid parking spots on-site and nearby.
The Best Time to Visit the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art
For non-locals, the best time to visit the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art is during the annual gala and art auction. There will be fine dining, great art by acclaimed artists, and a fun after-party.
If you’re from Winnipeg, you should drop by during an exhibit’s opening day, an artist talk, or one of their annual events. They do close their doors between exhibitions, so you should follow their socials to stay up-to-date.
What to Do at the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art
Admire the permanent exhibitions.
Before stepping foot into the gallery, you’ll be welcomed by a huge art installation on the facade of the Buhler Center, which is one of five permanent exhibits. It looks like manicured hands pulling apart and propping the walls of the building at the same time.
Our favorite might be Dan Graham’s large-scale rooftop sculpture, which builds on his long-time series of pavilion sculptures.
Made of steel, mirrors, and glass, you can walk through the installation to see distorted images of your reflection. We like how it invites you to interact with it and perhaps reflect on what you see a little harder.
The three other permanent displays inside the gallery, so keep your eyes peeled for Jimmie Durham’s Pole to Mark the Center of the World, Louise Witthoft and Rodney LaTourelle’s untitled color installation, and Jean-Paul Kelly’s B.A.A.D.C signage.
Attend temporary exhibitions.
We’ll never tire of visiting Plug In ICA because of its raw, vibrant, and compelling temporary exhibitions. Featuring art from Indigenous, Asian, and Black artists, the art gallery showcases works that capture the city’s ever-evolving cultural identity.
What’s equally exciting as the art is the interesting pool of people we get to meet at the exhibitions. During opening day, we look forward to having great conversations with like-minded individuals—ideally over good wine.
Check out the library.
Nestled right in front of the art gallery, you’ll find a tiny bookstore carrying over 3000+ titles that will enrich your knowledge of art.
They’ve got a little bit of something for everyone! They have everything from art books, magazines, memoirs, and critical texts penned by leading figures in the contemporary art scene.
The best part? You can access all the titles at the Art Research Center for free. If you’re a local, you can get a Plug In ICA membership so you can have sign-out privileges.
Buy prints, art, and souvenirs.
A gallery like Plug In ICA isn’t exactly easy to forget, but if we weren’t local to the area, we’d definitely buy one of their trinkets as a keepsake for our trip.
For practical travelers who prefer usable items, you can get a t-shirt, a bag, or a wallet made by the very artists they support here. The quality is a lot better than the ones you’ll find at tourist traps and not as expensive.
You can also get prints and other artwork at their shop. Depending on the piece, its cost ranges anywhere from $20 to thousands of bucks.
Join a workshop.
The Plug In ICA usually hosts art programs and workshops to help young artists expand their knowledge of contemporary art and hone their craft. One such example is the Summer Institute, which has become an annual program at the gallery.
Each year, the focus of the two-week workshop is different. This year, they’re tackling Cartography of Emotions led by curator Irene Campolmi, which is all about recognizing and drawing your emotional map.
These educational programs at Plug In ICA are free and open to all artists, including writers, thinkers, and other cultural workers. You just have to send in an application before the slots are filled.
Attend a book fair.
The Praire Art Book Fair is another exciting event that you can attend at the Plug In ICA—twice a year, as a matter of fact. They’ll display various print materials focused on art, ranging from zines and catalogs to periodicals and books.
If you’re an emerging artist, it’s also a great way to get to know publishers, art collectives, artist-run organizations, and other independent artists.
Like most events at Plug In ICA, the book fair has no admission fee. However, you’ll have to pay for the books that you want to take home.
Party at the annual gala and art auction.
Everyone looks forward to the themed gala and art auction every year, where guests come dressed in their best costumes.
There’s always great food, cold beer, and extraordinary performances. However, the highlight of the night will always be the contemporary art pieces made by acclaimed and emerging artists.
For the 50th celebration of the gallery, their theme was Under the Stars: Creatures of the Night. Some people dressed as their favorite anime characters, while others showed up looking like something straight out of a horror flick.
Admission to the annual gala isn’t free; but not to worry, tickets are usually reasonably priced. If you want to celebrate art and take home a few for yourself, make sure to buy tickets before they run out.
Where to Stay Nearby
Holiday Inn & Suites
Just right across from the Buhler Center, the Holiday Inn & Suites offers affordable modern comforts for travelers. They’ve got a fitness center with an indoor pool, a coin-operated laundry area, and a restaurant.
You can even take up to two pets with you for an extra fee of $25 per stay. If you have a service animal, they won’t charge you for it.
The Fort Garry Hotel
The Fort Garry Hotel might not be on the same street as the art gallery, but it’s only 20 minutes away on foot. It’s quite easy to spot from the outside because it looks like a palace, and we can assure you that its interior is just as enchanting.
With luxurious rooms, upscale dining, and a world-class spa, this hotel caters to the needs of modern travelers. It’s also located downtown, bringing you closer to popular tourist attractions and historic sites.
Delta Hotels Winnipeg
Delta Hotels is a great place for a summer staycation because of its rooftop pool and lounge area. You can sip refreshing cocktails by the pool while soaking up some sun and admiring breathtaking views of downtown Winnipeg.
Since this is a Marriott-owned hotel, you can expect the rooms to be comfortable, modern, and well-maintained. They also offer great amenities that will make your stay worthwhile.
Where to Eat Nearby
Stella’s at Plug In
Before visiting Plug In ICA, you can hit up Stella’s, which is a great brunch spot that shares space with the art gallery. Their breakfast menu, which is available all day, has everything from avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and fruit parfaits.
We recommend their grass-fed beef—whether in burgers or chili. Even for an affordable price, everything comes in generous portions that can be shared between friends or family.
Les Saj
Les Saj is a go-to spot for authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. They offer quite a massive selection of food, ranging from shawarma and rice bowls to falafel and manakeesh.
If you want a little bit of everything, just get their mixed platter, which is served with rice, fries, chicken, a beef donair, a shish skewer, a lamb kebab, a salad, two pieces of bread, hummus, garlic sauce, and pickles. You can always share if you can’t finish it.
Banh Mi King
Banh Mi King is Vietnamese food royalty—at least in Winnipeg. Offering incredible banh mi, pho, and of course, poutine (they’re still Canadian after all), you can indulge in Asian flavors and local comfort foods.
They also have a variety of milk teas and desserts, which are a must-try, especially if you have a sweet tooth. For a grab-and-go refreshment, you can’t go wrong with strawberry matcha!