What Does it Cost?

1. Non-Refundable Application Fee

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

The non-refundable and non-transferable application fee goes towards the careful processing and administration of your application by TOAF team and Jurors. We provide artist support services like Feedback Fridays and App Camp throughout the application process PWYC or free of charge.

* To be eligible to apply and exhibit as a student you must be currently enrolled full-time at a recognized post-secondary institution. Proof of student card and timetable required. Students under 18 years of age are not eligible.

2. Booth & Online Fair Participation Fees

*This fee includes participation in-person at Nathan Phillips Square and the online Fair. Tent rentals are not included unless otherwise stated.
**Prime booths offer maximum visibility and highest foot traffic throughout the square.

Online Fair Includes:

• Listing of 10 artworks for sale/view on TOAF’s proven trusted discovery platform during the Online Fair*
• Artist profile on TOAF’s dynamic and high-traffic website (100,000 unique website visitors + 1 million annual page views) from July – March.
• Impressive $150K marketing campaign, resulting in 189 Million earned and paid media impressions
• Showcase opportunities and inclusion in artists highlights, curated collections, digital ads and more
• Online-only artists are eligible for $4,000 in awards

*Up to 15% of online artwork sales will go towards TOAF administration and payment processing costs. Artworks sales are active until March.

3. Budget for Tent & Equipment Rental & more

Tent Rentals

2025 Prices are TBC.

A basic tent rental package including 10×10 ft tent and equipment is $330 – $450.
Your booth fee does not include a tent rental or any equipment. Every year, our exclusive third-party supplier Element Event Solution provides discounted rentals for tents and equipment.

Transportation and Parking

Budget about $65 for a 4-day parking pass at Nathan Phillips Square underground parking lot. Oversized vehicles taller than 6’2″ will need to find alternative parking. 2025 prices TBC.

Overnight Artwork Storage

Limited overnight artwork storage at Nathan Phillips Square is available first-come, first-served for a non-refundable fee of $150 per unit. 2025 prices TBC.

Insurance

Artists must secure adequate insurance coverage protecting themselves, visitors and all exhibit material from damage or theft for the duration of the Fair and during setup.

Out of Town Artists 

Budget about $500+ for 3 days of overnight accommodations if travelling from out of town. Important information for International Artists. See details on the Travel Bursary Program for out-of-province artists below.

Please Note

• All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
• Third-party supplier costs are subject to confirmation for 2025.
• TOAF only accepts credit cards, visa debit or prepaid credit cards, cash will not be accepted under any circumstance. 
• Participation and booth fees are collected upon acceptance in March/April.

TOAF Bursaries

Exhibition Bursary — Free exhibition space and support through Art Encounters 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.

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.

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
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.