Photography by Shane Fester.
Gratitude & Thanks
For a TOAF64 filled with love, red dots, and unforgettable moments
Dear Friend of TOAF,
What a joy it was to be with you on the Square for the 64th Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. There’s something about being together in that space, all in one place, celebrating art and artists on such an epic scale. We loved that energy.
There’s a shared feeling among the team: it all went by too fast. We often say that TOAF feels like riding a wave: It builds slowly, rises to an incredible high, and carries us with it, full of energy, excitement, and momentum. Then, just like that, it’s done.What stays with us is the joy, the meaningful connections, and a deep sense of humility from being part of something bigger than all of us. That’s what keeps us going until the next one.
We’re writing with full hearts to say thank you.
To our public funders, foundations, award donors, sponsors, judges, jurors, curators, speakers, programming partners, media, community collaborators, our Board of Directors, and the TOAF team, thank you for showing up for artists and our community with such care and brilliance.
To our team of 270+ volunteers, there is absolutely no way we could do this without you. You made artists feel supported, welcomed, and special every step of the way.
And to you, our audience, patrons, and art lovers, your curiosity and generosity are what make this Fair matter. Those coveted red dots were proof that braving the heat and the thunder showers was worth it. This year, you purchased 40% more art online! Please keep the love going.
It’s always important to remind ourselves why we do this. TOAF was founded on a beautifully simple and powerful mission:
Artists should have access to public space.
The public should have access to art without barriers.
That principle has guided our every move for over 60 years. Thanks to the steadfast trust of our early visionary supporters, loyal donors, and public funders who believe in this mission, TOAF’s impact continues to grow and amplify.
We won’t list every milestone (we’re tempted), but here are two dreams that came fully alive this year:
Art Encounters grew into one of the most comprehensive access and education initiatives of any art fair in the country. From just five artists, the program has grown to over 70 artists receiving exhibition support, travel bursaries, and artist fees, including five award-winning artists this year.
National representationreached a new high: artists from Québec, the Northwest Territories, and for the first time, Atlantic Canada joined us. In total, 70 artists from outside Ontario helped us paint a truly coast-to-coast-to-coast portrait of Canadian creativity.
And finally, to all the artists, both in the Square and online:
Being an artist takes vision, heart, and a whole lot of grit.
You bring beauty, joy, and meaning into our lives.
You nudge us to see the world through new eyes.
We’re here because of you and for you.
We’re already dreaming of what’s next.
But for now, thank you for believing in TOAF’s mission and for being part of this shared story of trust, collaboration, and community.
With gratitude,
anahita, the TOAF Team & Board of Directors
P.S. Relive the magic through our Photo Album captured by Shane Fester. Also, don’t forget to fill out our audience survey; it helps us reflect, grow, and improve. Plus, you’ll be entered to win a $250 gift card to buy art on TOAF.ca!
Thank You
From our earliest believers, who trusted us as we dreamed and evolved, to those who continue to stand with us today, we’ve proven what’s possible, expanding both our impact and our programs. We’re also deeply grateful for the support of all three levels of government, which has amplified everything we do.
TOAF is generously supported by the Government of Canada, through Canadian Heritage and Canada Summer Jobs; the Governments of Ontario and Québec; the Ontario Arts Council; and the City of Toronto, through the Cultural Festivals Funding Program and the Special Events Stabilization Initiative.
A special thanks goes to the Koffler Family Foundation, our founders and Lead Patron, who, since day one, have championed artists’ rights to be seen, heard, and valued in public spaces. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lindy Green Family Foundation, Lead Supporter of the Art Encounters Access and Outreach Program, whose support has been integral to the program’s exponential growth. Alongside them, TD Ready Commitment, Clearview Foundation, Elements Event Solutions, and a dedicated circle of new and returning donors and private foundations have helped fuel our success.
A huge thanks to all of our award donors and operational supporters. We invite you to join our incredible community of donors and supporters. We promise you’ll find it both rewarding and exciting.
And a very special thanks to Monnet Design, our design sponsor, for making us look cool and perfectly capturing our energy, vision, and dreams with bold, eye-catching design.
Visitor Survey
Win a $250 Gift Card
Your feedback is essential to TOAF’s growth, and we truly appreciate your time. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Please submit it by August 15th.
We’re passionate about making TOAF better and deepening our impact on the community. Your honest feedback and collaboration help us improve, and is crucial when advocating for space, government funding, and sponsorships.
Complete the survey for a chance to win a $250 digital gift card to buy art on TOAF.ca!
Snap Shots from TOAF64
Relive the magic of this year’s Fair through our Facebook Photo Album, beautifully captured by photographer Shane Fester.
Finding new homes
Remember, you haven’t missed your chance to add a new favourite artwork to your collection! You can keep exploring at TOAF.ca.
ESPACE art actuel
From our wonderful partners at Espace
The latest issue of ESPACE art actuel magazine, Breath, is available on newsstands, in bookshops and also online!
In our first moments of life, instinctively, we need to breathe and perform the biological function of “being in the world.” Thus, from very early on, breath has been associated with the soul or spirit that gives life to the body. This prepared the way for cosmic and religious visions of life.
This issue brings together articles that consider various ways of depicting breathing, particularly those associated with current conditions of breathing in an environment where the air often is deemed unhealthy.
