The Rooms

The Rooms Immerse yourself in our culture at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest public cultural space. The Rooms unites the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum
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It's the place where it all comes together - our history, heritage and artistic expression. The Rooms unites the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. A place for people, The Rooms is a portal to the many stories our province has to tell. Soaring into the skyline of historic St. John's, The Rooms combines twenty-first century technology with a striking visual reference to our past. Its uniq

ue design mirrors the "fishing rooms" where families came together to process their catch. The Rooms today is also a place to gather: in them, you'll find collections, exhibits and programs that tell our stories and interpret our natural world through art, artifacts, archaeology, architecture and archival records. The Rooms site itself is of deep historical significance. Almost 250 years before The Rooms rose on the landscape, this was the site of Fort Townshend. The great star-shaped citadel, one of the largest British fortifications in North America at the time, was built to defend Britain's fishing interests. With the withdrawal of the imperial garrison in 1870, the site became the home of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and, later, the St. John's Fire Department. On-site interpretation allows visitors to explore this historic past. Careful research and documentation before construction ensured that future study of the site is possible. The Rooms is also a neighbourhood place. Located in the heart of downtown St. John's, the site is an excellent venue for programs. And it's only footsteps away from historic buildings, green spaces and a lively arts and entertainment scene. Come for the view. The Rooms offers panoramic vistas of St. John's and its harbour, a multi-level atrium serves as both a gathering place and space for constantly changing exhibits and events. A multi-media theatre, classrooms and artist-in-residence studio emphasize The Rooms' adaptability to many uses and the role in plays in education and outreach. As a centre for research, the Rooms provides access to its permanent collections by appointment. The theatre and corporate boardrooms can be rented for a variety of events.

Familiar names. Experiences seldom shared.Learn more on our website tomorrow, Friday, September 4.
09/03/2026

Familiar names. Experiences seldom shared.

Learn more on our website tomorrow, Friday, September 4.

08/31/2026
The Rooms is fun to explore with a buddy. 🫶 Every adventure feels a little brighter when you have someone to climb the s...
08/30/2026

The Rooms is fun to explore with a buddy. 🫶

Every adventure feels a little brighter when you have someone to climb the stairs with. From curious steps to wide‑eyed gallery moments, these two are already on the hunt for something fun. Bring your favourite sidekick to visit The Rooms!

Open seven days a week!

The Rooms extends our condolences to the family, friends, and community of artists mourning the loss of Bonnie Leyton, a...
08/29/2026

The Rooms extends our condolences to the family, friends, and community of artists mourning the loss of Bonnie Leyton, a beloved artist, gallerist, mentor, and joyful force in Newfoundland and Labrador’s creative world.

Bonnie’s work, including pieces currently on view in the exhibition How Do I Look?, reflects her remarkable gift for observing people with humour, heart, and curiosity. Her influence reached far beyond her studio. Her spirit, style, and generosity left an enduring mark on the cultural landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We join her loved ones in remembering a life filled with creativity, connection, and joy.

📸 Bonnie Leyton (b. London, ON; 1940-) Untitled (each work)
Undated
Watercolour and charcoal on paper
The Rooms
Gift of Marco and Jack Leyton

Family Fun at The Rooms: Tomorrow!Sunday, August 30 · 1–4 pmStep into a world of creativity and connection at The Rooms....
08/29/2026

Family Fun at The Rooms: Tomorrow!
Sunday, August 30 · 1–4 pm

Step into a world of creativity and connection at The Rooms.

Bring the family for an afternoon filled with hands‑on making, playful exploration, and time together. Unleash your creativity, create memories, and enjoy quality family time with us.

This is a drop‑in program — no ticket required.

Today is , and we’re marking the occasion with a piece of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history: Joey Smallwood’s bowtie....
08/28/2026

Today is , and we’re marking the occasion with a piece of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history: Joey Smallwood’s bowtie.

Smallwood was known for his sharp wit, strong opinions, and unmistakable style. This bowtie is one of the small details that reminds us of the era he helped shape.

Visit us to see it in person and join us in celebrating the stories stitched into our province’s past.

Step into the exhibition Souvenir by Jordan Bennett, where bold colour, vivid experiences, and familiar landscapes come ...
08/28/2026

Step into the exhibition Souvenir by Jordan Bennett, where bold colour, vivid experiences, and familiar landscapes come together to celebrate history, heritage, and Mi’kmaw culture. Inspired by quillwork, everyday life, and the land itself, Bennett’s work sparks joy and curiosity at every turn.

This is your last chance to experience Souvenir — the exhibition closes this Sunday, August 30.

Located on Level 3 in the Art Gallery.

https://therooms.ca/exhibits/jordan-bennett-souvenir

Muskox in Labrador and a surprising story from our collectionThere was a recent muskox sighting in Labrador, and it’s a ...
08/27/2026

Muskox in Labrador and a surprising story from our collection

There was a recent muskox sighting in Labrador, and it’s a perfect moment to share a fascinating piece from our own collection here at The Rooms.

We have a partial muskox skull which includes the horns, the back of the skull, and part of the jaw. It was found in 2010 by a fisherman in Trinity Bay, caught in a net set 56 metres deep.

What makes this even more remarkable is that muskox are not native to the island of Newfoundland, and they’re very poor swimmers. How the skull got to the bottom of Trinity Bay is a mystery. Radiocarbon dating — done through a collaboration through the Canadian Museum of Nature and the University of California —shows that it is relatively recent. The animal might have been stranded and carried on an ice floe

It’s a small but striking reminder of how unexpected traces of the past can surface in the most surprising places.

Dogs make our days brighter, our walks longer, and our hearts a little fuller.To celebrate , we’d love to meet the pups...
08/26/2026

Dogs make our days brighter, our walks longer, and our hearts a little fuller.

To celebrate , we’d love to meet the pups who are part of your world.

Share a photo of your dog in the comments! 🐾

🎨 Call for Submissions: Provincial Art Bank 2026The Rooms is now accepting submissions for the Provincial Art Bank Progr...
08/25/2026

🎨 Call for Submissions: Provincial Art Bank 2026

The Rooms is now accepting submissions for the Provincial Art Bank Program! This annual initiative supports the acquisition of new artworks from artists across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Selected works become part of the province’s permanent collection, with pieces exhibited at The Rooms and displayed in government offices and public buildings throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

🚨 Deadline for submission is September 7, 2026.🚨

Visit https://therooms.ca/artists/art-bank for full details on how to apply.
Have questions? Reach out to709-757-8040 or [email protected].

📸 Tessa Graham, The Water's Fine, 2022, photography.

Address

9 Bonaventure Avenue
St. John's, Newfoundland And Labrador, NL
A1C5P9

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

709-757-8000

Website

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