Call for Artists

Key Dates

Launch & sustain your career

TOAF is Canada’s best-attended art fair! An invested community of 170,000 art lovers come back year-after-year to discover high-quality art and connect directly with artists. Our visitors spend over 2 million dollars on art during the fair. Artists are regularly approached by curators, corporate collectors, gallerists, publishers and collectors for commissions, showcases and many exciting opportunities. 

Breakthrough awards

Each year, $40,000 cash and in-kind are awarded to outstanding artists in their fields. The Catherine Bratty Best of Art Fair Award, Murray & Marvelle Koffler Founder’s Award, Mayor’s Purchase Award and many others offer artists unique opportunities. Online-only artists are eligible for $4,000 cash or in-kind awards.

Connecting artists to a global audience

The online Art Fair has quickly become a leading digital hub for discovering Canadian artists. Four years since its launch, it has built a strong network of visitors and collectors from across Canada and beyond, with over 2,000 artworks purchased online.

All participating artists gain access to the Online Fair. Artists from anywhere in Canada have the option to join the annual Fair Exclusively Online, showcasing their work to art lovers and collectors around the world.

Affordable & accessible

TOAF is a registered charity and non-profit. That’s why we prioritize keeping costs low and providing accessible and flexible participation packages for artists in all stages of their careers. Artists also keep 100% of their proceeds for in-person sales and only a modest admin fee of up to 15% for online art sales.

A robust Access and Outreach program

We are committed to removing barriers to accessing TOAF’s platform and opportunities. Mentorship, professional development, exhibition space, accessibility support (if needed) and artist fees (funding permitting) are provided through the Art Encounters program. We invite eligible and interested artists who are Indigenous, Newcomers, Deaf or Disabled to apply to Art Encounters.

Unmatched exposure

With a dedicated online programming team, we make sure to keep eye on your profile year-round! This is how:

– Getting your work in front of 100K website visitors 
– Curator invitations to our wildly-popular digital programming: Curated Collections, Studio Tours, Artist Chats and blogs 
– Opportunity to be featured in the PR campaign  
– Social media promotion to TOAF audiences that increases your followers!

2024 participating artists had an average of 16% growth in their social media followers after the Fair. 

A far-reaching marketing campaign

Benefit from our multi-platform local and national marketing and promotions ($150K value) including:

– Print and digital advertising (BlogTO, CBC Arts, Globe & Mail, transit, wild postings and radio stations)
– Publicity and earned media coverage (TV, radio, magazine interviews & features)
– Social media and newsletter campaigns with 41K reach
– Posters, postcards, fair guides and promotional materials
– Community partnerships with 10 million reach

Onsite & online support

– 200 amazing volunteers for onsite artist relief
– Onsite Art Storage (limited) 
– Online portfolio support
– Feedback Fridays: 1-on-1 consultations during Call for Artists
– App Camp workshop with the mock jury to prepare artists for successful applications
– Booth Camp workshop to plan for logistics of showing at an outdoor Fair
– Artist Handbook and Fair Survival Guide
– Learn more about how to get application support.

Application Fee

Regular: $50
Students: $30
Late Fee: $50 additional (beginning March 1, 2025)

Onsite Booth & Online Fair*

Student Booth: $515
Regular Booth: $825
Prime Location Booth: $980** 
5×10′ Tent Packages (all inclusive): $720

Exclusively Online Fair

Regular: $185
Student: $120

*All participation fees for in-person Fair at Nathan Phillips Square include an online platform fee.
**Prime booths offer maximum visibility and the highest foot traffic throughout the square.

Participation and booth fees are collected upon acceptance in March. More information on budgeting for the Fair.

What to submit?

• A cohesive body of 6 artwork images
• 1 image of your art in context (in a booth, table top or on a wall)
• A brief artist statement (500 characters, not words)
• Description of your art/process (200 characters, not words)

Who can apply?

We are welcoming to artists from all stages of their careers, all racial backgrounds, and all abilities. Individual artists and makers working in photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, illustration, glass, wood, textiles, jewellery and more, with formal or informal training are encouraged to apply. TOAF is committed to equity and inclusion and continues to be inclusive, accessible and radically welcoming to all artists and art enthusiasts.

“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, 2024 Artist and Travel Bursary Recipient from Nova Scotia

“Showcasing my work at TOAF provided me with an invaluable opportunity to engage more deeply with the art community. Interacting with fellow art enthusiasts not only brought more attention to my work, but also enabled me to exchange ideas with other artists, offering valuable insights that have pushed me to expand my creative boundaries.”

– Nick Hoang, 2024 Artist

Helpful Links

Application Tips & FAQs
What Does it Cost?
Hear from the Artists
Reproduction Policy
Call for Community Booths
About Art Encounters

Contact us

416-408-2754 | [email protected]
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Have a question about our Call for Artists? Write it here.