Thinking about applying to our 62nd Toronto Outdoor Art Fair in July? You can book an appointment with us for a one-on-one phone consultation to get direct feedback on your previous year’s application if it was unsuccessful and receive advice on how to build a stronger submission. Spaces every Friday are limited, so book early!
Our TOAF62 Call for Artists & Makers opens on December 1, 2022 and closes on March 7, 2023.
How to Book an Appointment
You must schedule your appointment through Google Calendar.
Under the description box, provide your name, email and phone number.
Please note:
1. Feedback is focused on how to strengthen your 2023 application only. Specific juror comments, and ‘reasons for being declined’ will not be given.
2. To keep things manageable for our small team, phone calls will be kept to 10 minutes, and only one call per artist.
3. Your appointment will not be rescheduled if you miss the appointment.
Lavender from the TOAF team will call you at the phone number provided. Please be prepared to answer the phone at your appointment time. To review a copy of your application from last year, Log in at TOAF.ca to get to your Application Dashboard. Click on the 'complete' button next to the 2022 Application.
How is Your Application Selected?
Artistic excellence, originality, quality of support materials and consistency of ideas and design, are qualities our curators apply to evaluate your application. We carefully put together an inclusive, external and multidisciplinary panel of curators, made up of professional artists, gallerists, art educators, curators and other respected members of the visual arts community to review all submissions in every category. Our panel rotates every year to keep the roster of our artists diverse, fresh and exciting. Our team and board members do not participate in the selection process. Read TOAF's Equity and Non-Discrimination Policy.
Our jurors score submissions out of 30 points, according to the above selection criteria. They select the best artists with the highest scores (above 23 points). We maintain a waitlist of artists with a score of 22 points. Waitlisted artists are accepted once space becomes available with priority given to applications submitted earlier.
All decisions are final. Our team does not appeal decisions.
App Camp
Call for Artists FAQ Instagram Live
Join the TOAF team on Instagram live to answer your questions about the application process or the Fair.
Virtual App Camp: TOAF62 at Nathan Phillips Square (January 10th, 2023)
Learn how to prepare a winning application, from great photos, and booth/installation image, to curating your portfolio for success. Submit a draft of your application for the chance to get feedback from our mock jury and get a first-hand peek at what our jurors are looking for. This session will focus on answering questions about the in-person Fair at Nathan Phillips Square. Click here to RSVP.
Virtual App Camp: TOAF62 Online at TOAF.ca (January 19th, 2023)
Can’t make it to Nathan Phillips Square? Artists from across Canada and beyond are welcome to consider applying Online Only. This short information session will give you insight on why you should apply to the Online Fair and how to prepare a winning application. Registration coming soon. Click here to RSVP.
New to 2023 Call For Artists
Travel Award
Artists based in Canada, outside of the province of Ontario are eligible to apply for a Travel Award. Selected artists will be provided up to $1,500 (depending on location and need) to support the costs associated with participating 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.
Online only Awards
Artists participating in the Online only Fair are eligible for awards in $5,000 cash or in-kind.
Artists joining us in person are eligible for $40,000 cash or in-kind awards, including the Catherine Bratty Best of Art Fair Award ($6,000), Murray & Marvelle Koffler Founder’s Award ($6,000), Best of Student Award ($3,500 Value), Mayor's Purchase Award (selected by the Mayor of Toronto), Best of category awards ($2,000 each) & many more. Learn more about the TOAF awards program.
