Art Encounters—Access & Outreach Program
Art Encounters is TOAF’s dedicated Access & Outreach Program, empowering artists since 2016. Through this initiative, we offer Exhibition and Travel Bursaries to eligible artists from across Canada, providing them with opportunities to showcase their work at TOAF.
Our mission is to create inclusive spaces and ensure equitable access to career-launching opportunities, TOAF’s income-generation platform, and the prestigious Awards Program.
We are committed to uplifting and amplifying the voices of artists from priority groups as defined by the Ontario Arts Council, with a focus on Indigenous artists, Deaf artists & artists with disabilities, Newcomer artists and New generation artists (18–30 years old).
We recognize that many artists face barriers—whether physical, financial, or community-based—that can limit their access to professional opportunities. Art Encounters helps remove these obstacles, fostering meaningful connections and ensuring diverse artistic voices are represented.
Each year, we collaborate with leading arts organizations and communities to create authentic and impactful opportunities for artists across Canada.
What Does Art Encounters Provide?
Artists selected for Art Encounters receive Exhibition Bursaries, including:
A free exhibition platform – both online and in-person at TOAF
Financial support: When funding is available, participating artists also receive honorariums for exhibiting at the Fair.
Professional development opportunities
Valuable networking connections
Accessibility support when needed
Eligible Artists
Indigenous artists (Inuit, First Nations and Métis)
Newcomer artists (less than 3 years in Canada)
Deaf artists
Disability-identified artists
New generation artists (18–30 years old)
* Out-of-province artists can also apply for travel support
Art Encounters—Access & Outreach Program
Exhibition Bursary — Free exhibition space and support through Art Encounters program (details above)
Up to 20 spots available for the Art Encounters program.
Exclusively Online artists are not eligible for this program.
Travel Bursary — Out-of-province artists can apply for travel support. Artists based in Canada, outside of the province of Ontario are eligible to apply for a Travel Bursary Program. Selected artists will be provided up to $1,500 (depending on location and need) to support the costs associated with artists’ participation at the in-person Fair at Nathan Phillips Square. After opting in and completing your application, a member of the TOAF team will reach out with an application form that must be completed in order to be considered for the award.
Other Access Opportunities — Artists receive Exhibition Bursaries through our partners:
OCADU Student Career Launchers
If you are an ILLU, MAAD, PHOTO, INTM, SCIN, DRPT, IAMD, DF, INVC or PRNT/PUBL students in their graduating year (2025), consider applying for the TOAF Career Launchers opportunity. Contact the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) or visit their website for more information.
StreetARToronto
Artists who have worked with StreetARToronto (StART) in the past are eligble to apply through StreetARToronto. Priority will be given to artists who identify as Women, Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ++, Diversely Able (Blind, Deaf, and/or with physical, mental or learning conditions with long-term, temporary, or varying effects that may be apparent or not.) Check out here for more information.
Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grant
Upon receiving your acceptance letter you can submit an application for an Exhibition Assistance grant (reimbursement) from Ontario Arts Council for up to $2,000. For more information on deadlines and to apply see the OAC webpage.
How to Apply
The 2025 Call for Artists for TOAF64 is now closed.
Please note: Due to limited program capacity, you may be accepted into TOAF but not into the Art Encounters Program. Artists must live in Canada and apply for the in-person Fair to be eligible for Art Encounters..
Hear from the artists…
“Toronto Outdoor Art Fair’s unique program took me under their wings. This program has allowed me to develop my confidence in interacting with the audience and make some sales. It is more than that. It made me feel like I am included in a large part of the world. TOAF was there to support me through my television appearance, Instagram, and networking with others. I felt like I am welcomed in their family, and every human needs this. For me, it has been living in a small Deaf world where we are kept silent from the big world.”
Peter Owusu-Ansah, Exhibition Bursary Recipient
“TOAF has become one of the most important dates on the calendar for my art career. Where else am I going to be able to get my work in front of 170,000 people in a single weekend? The travel bursary helps to offset the significant costs in coming from out of the province to participate in what I consider to be an unmissable event.”
Maria Doering, Travel Bursary Recipient from Nova Scotia
Thank You
The support for the program is led by the Lindy Green Family Foundation, the inaugural supporter of this initiative, TD Bank Group, Higgins Event Rentals and individual donors.
