Thanks to beautiful architectural designs, these Canadian museums are worth a visit no matter what exhibit is happening inside.

1. Audain Art Museum

Nestled among the frosty forest and sprawling white meadows at the base of Whistler Blackcomb lies the 56,000-square-foot Audain Art Museum, designed by Vancouver's Patkau Architects. Housing contemporary masks and famous cultural artworks, the museum's use of black-coated, steel-pitched roofs and pale wooden slats are attractive to any self-proclaimed minimalist. But what really sets this angular hub apart is the skylit, long glass corridor, elevated one story above ground to withstand flooding. The exterior facade embodies modernism and evokes quiet elements to draw in visitors.

2. Studio Bell

Inspired by over 450 years of musical history in Canada, Calgary's Studio Bell was designed by Allied Works Architecture and features a 300-seat concert hall, five floors of exhibition space and a broadcast studio, complete with an impressive collection of artifacts from the National Music Centre. The 160,000 square-foot building also boasts a stunning curvilinear exterior encased in 220,000 terracotta tiles, made to reflect the acoustics from musical instruments. The grand entryway, accompanied by massive windows overlooking the city, is sure to invite prospective visitors. 

3. Remai Modern

Created by the Toronto-based firm KPMB and Winnipeg-based Architecture49, Saskatoon's state-of-the-art Remai Modern Museum is garnering attention as one of Canada's most remarkable buildings, featuring beautiful art galleries and an impressive riverside view. The 126,000 square-feet building is sheathed in high-performance glass, steel beams and a tasteful copper-metal screen, highlighting modern elegance. With its charming and stylish finishes, this recently-built museum will inspire your inner art aficionado. 

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4. Museum of Anthropology, UBC 

British Columbia’s own Museum of Anthropology, or MOA, is located in the University of British Columbia. MOA showcases artwork and culture from around the world, with an emphasis on First Nations people and other cultural groups in the province. The award-winning concrete and glass building was designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson and landscaped by Cornelia Oberlander. The design focus for this impressive structure was to capture the essence of the West Coast and the spirit of the First Nations people, from the grand hall facing the inlet to the concrete frames (which represent a gateway to UBC’s lands). 

5. Art Gallery of Alberta

Tucked inside the Edmonton City Centre lies the incredible three-storey Art Gallery of Alberta, a Zahner-manufactured curvilinear structure complete with striking glass panels, shiny metallic ribbons and a stainless steel skin finish. Created by Los-Angeles architect Randall Stout in collaboration with Edmonton firm, HIP Architects, the contemporary landmark is meant to resemble the Aurora Borealis and the North Saskatchewan River, giving the building an airy, muted glow. The sleek museum is the focal point of the city's art scene, featuring a diverse selection of visual artwork.