If you are like many students, you have been planning a trip to the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) on a Thursday ever since you heard admission is free after 5 p.m. but you were never able to find the time to get downtown before 8 p.m.

Well now you’re in luck.

Carleton and the NGC have partnered to offer Carleton students free admission from now until June 30, 2010 upon presentation of your student card.

Students will have access to the permanent collection as well as special exhibits. 

From De Stijl to Odjig, from the Renaissance to Rosenquist, the gallery contains pieces from almost every artistic movement spanning many centuries.

“Carleton students will be able to extend their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art outside the university’s lecture halls,” said Marc Mayer, director of the NGC. 

The partnership is intended to increase the appreciation and knowledge of the visual arts for students in every field of study.

“When you come to Carleton you are getting not just an excellent education, but an enriching, enlightening experience,” Roseann Runte, president of the university, stated in a press release. “Carleton’s location in the nation’s capital creates opportunities for our students to experience world-class cultural institutions.”

What has enabled this partnership and the subsequent free admission for students is a donation from Carleton to the NGC.

The amount is confidential and it is clearly stated in the contract that neither side is allowed to release the information. 

Jason MacDonald, director of communications at Carleton, said the NGC makes financial partnerships with many organizations, the amount of each being private.

As Carleton funds have opened the door to this opportunity, students can see for themselves if the partnership is a success.

“We hope [students] will be pleased. This agreement means that they will be able to enjoy the gallery’s collection and exhibits every day of the week for free, not just on Thursdays. This makes it more convenient and easy for students to enjoy one of the city’s great institutions,” MacDonald said.