When: July 11-13, 2025
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Early Bird Deadline: February 28, 2025 @ 11:59 PM EST
Final Application Deadline: March 7, 2025 @ 11:59 PM EST
Why Apply to TOAF?Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is Canada’s leading outdoor and online art fair—a legacy launchpad for artists since 1961. TOAF is where careers take off, connections are made, and art lovers flock year after year. This is your chance to exhibit and grow within an inspiring, dynamic, established artistic community.
Who Should Apply?All artists and contemporary makers from all career stages across Canada, working in photography, sculpture, and installations, as well as painting, textiles, jewellery, and beyond. Choose to showcase in person at Nathan Phillips Square, Exclusively Online at TOAF.ca, or both. Limited Travel Bursary Awards are available for out-of-province artists. TOAF is a juried showcase. Artists are selected for artistic excellence, originality, and consistency of ideas and design.
What are the participation perks?
1. Unmatched Exposure: TOAF is Canada’s best-attended art fair and a trusted discovery platform, attracting 170,000+ art enthusiasts who spend over $2 million on artworks annually. Artists are included in multi-platform local and national marketing, advertising and PR campaigns. Build valuable relationships with art lovers, curators, corporate collectors, and gallery owners who are eager to engage with and invest in your work.
2. Affordable & Accessible: As a non-profit, TOAF is committed to supporting artists with affordable and flexible participation formats—from sliding-scale booth options or Exclusively Online to accessible entry points like Art Encounters Access & Outreach program, the Travel Bursary, or Community Partner showcases.Participants in the Art Encounters Program receive free exhibition space, mentorship, professional development, accessibility support (if needed), and artist fees. Please see program eligibility.
3. Breakthrough Awards— $40,000 in cash and in-kind prizes are awarded to outstanding talent, both in-person and online. Selected by a distinguished panel of judges, these awards—including cash, gift certificates, residencies, and exhibitions—offer recipients invaluable public recognition, open doors to career-changing opportunities, and provide meaningful financial support to advance their practice.
Apply Now!It only takes 8 minutes to apply and have a chance to be part of TOAF’s legacy.