The latest iteration of TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition is now open in Toronto. This version goes beyond a traditional exhibition format and invites visitors to explore, interact, and experience in a whole new way.
The exhibition is presented by Experiential Media Group (E/M Group), an industry leader in creating travelling exhibitions and experiences, and RMS Titanic, Inc. (RMST), the salvor in possession and steward of the Titanic wreck site.
The Toronto run also marks the launch of a new visual identity created by the team at global experience design and strategy firm Storyland Studios. This honours Titanic’s history while incorporating an updated, imaginative approach, with a modernised wordmark and updated design system inspired by the ship’s riveted hull and signature Art Nouveau details.
Ben Thompson, chief strategy officer at Storyland Studios and board advisor and strategic partnerships lead for RMS Titanic Inc., says:
“We kept what made the original design iconic while giving it the strength and clarity to travel globally.
“This is just the beginning.”
Building personal connections
The exhibition, which includes hundreds of authentic artefacts recovered from the RMS Titanic wrecksite, has been visited by more than 36 million people worldwide.
See also: The record-breaking success & evergreen appeal of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Tomasina Ray, president and director of collections at RMS Titanic Inc., says: “While the story of Titanic resonates around the world, Toronto holds a unique place in its legacy. We’re excited to bring this powerful history to a new generation—through real artifacts, personal stories, and immersive moments that honour Toronto’s place in Titanic’s voyage.”
Canada has an understated but significant role in Titanic’s story. At least six survivors went on to settle in Toronto, and the ship carried dozens of Canadian passengers. These connections contribute to the exhibition’s unique local feel. Elements such as boarding passes linked to real passenger stories and interpretive layers that spotlight Toronto’s link to the voyage invite a personal response to the tragedy.
The Toronto venue, a former aircraft hangar, provided a generous space for the team to incorporate immersive components. Visitors can walk a full-scale replica of the Grand Staircase, take a virtual dive to the seabed in VR pods, wander along a recreated promenade deck, complete with breeze effects, and explore a new finale focused on ocean conservation and sustainability.
To protect the fragile exhibits temporary gallery walls were installed. A bespoke HVAC system manages the temperature and humidity of the Toronto summer.
Toronto marks the first North American venue in a wider international expansion. Future locations are already in development across Latin America and the Middle East. Each offers an opportunity to reconsider the story of Titanic through a local perspective, establishing emotional connections that go beyond the ship itself.
“This story has travelled the world, but wherever it goes next, it will absolutely feel personal,” says Thompson.
Through immersive design, narratives rooted in the local community, and a revitalised sense of purpose, TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition is setting a new course that honours the past while engaging audiences in fresh and impactful ways.
TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition recently opened in Barcelona. Earlier in the year, the experience returned to Bratislava, Slovakia, having shown in the city in 2015.
