Whether you’ve just made Toronto your home or you’re a local, you’re likely to enjoy the boons that come with living here: plenty of job opportunities, a well-connected infrastructure and plenty of entertainment opportunities worthy of a big city. When it comes to the art world, Toronto doesn’t disappoint as there are numerous venues that support artists and the quest for artistic expression locally.
Since we specialize in art, we’ve done the legwork for you so can check out some of the best art galleries in town now (in no particular order):
1. Art Galllery of Toronto
With a whopping 95,000 works in its collection, the Art Gallery of Toronto takes the cake for the best in of its kind in town and is also one of the most prominent art museums in North America. When you visit it, you get a chance to admire contemporary art such as Untilled by Pierre Huyghe, The Massacre of The Innocents by Peter Rubens, but also works of art signed by Indigenous Canadian artists. Current exhibitions include I am here: Home Movies ad Everyday Masterpieces, Jorian Charlton: Out of Many, Esery Mondesir: We Have Found Each Other and more.
2. Art Museum at the University of Toronto
The Art Museum distinguishes itself by providing one of the amplest spaces for visual art exhibitions in Toronto. A series of events and exhibitions featuring interdisciplinary scholarship, innovative research and knowledge of the art reflecting Toronto and Canada’s pledge to support the arts. The Art Museum’s programs pride themselves in supporting emerging artists and curators both through mentorship and experiential learning opportunities. The Museum’s programs also foster developing histories and contemporary artists whether at local or international level. Additionally, interdisciplinary projects on topics reflecting contemporary culture are in focus at this distinguished institution.
3. The Bau-Xi Gallery
Originally starting out in Vancouver with a view to foster gallery representation of Canadian artists on the West Coast, the Bau-Xi Gallery also opened a sister gallery in Toronto in 1976. It showcases stunning current art. You’ll find artworks by artists from across Canada who explore various mediums. It is committed to promoting and presenting unique fine art, with an emphasis on excellence. You can find Bau-Xi Toronto across the street from the Art Gallery of Toronto.
4. Daniel Faria Gallery
You’ll find the Daniel Faria Gallery nestled among industrial buildings in the middle of Bloordale Village. It boasts two exhibits already, with a third one currently featuring Douglas Coupland, a Canadian artist who’s earned the recognition of the Canadian art world. The owner, Daniel Faria, has been active in the gallery world for over a decade and has drawn from his experience in visiting international galleries from New York or Lisbon before striking out on his own. Other artists whose works have been featured here include Shannon Bool, Kristine Moran and Chris Curreri.
5. The Cardinal
Located in the storefront of a historical building on Toronto’s West Side, The Cardinal is a place where the arts can thrive. The gallery’s focus is on fine art photography as well as being a welcoming space for the local art community, with an emphasis on cozy boutique background. As one of the few places that help to promote photography in Toronto, it prides itself on supporting high-end limited-edition prints.
6. Onsite Gallery
The Onsite Gallery is part of the OCAD and its mission is to showcase art reflecting contemporary thought-provoking works of art. It is a curatorial platform supporting art, design and design media. It is dedicated to both the OCAD U community and the general public, and it looks to effect social and cultural change. Its other goals include advancing the foals, aspirations and priorities of OCAD University and collaborating with professional artists, designers and curators all the while supporting excellence in visual culture among others.
7. Zalucky Contemporary
The brainchild of Juliana Zalucky, Zalucky Contemporary is an art gallery located in the Junction in a storefront on Dundas St. West. It aims to showcase different styles of current art that draw from various mediums with a focus on minimalism. The first showcased exhibition – Small Monuments by Laura Moore – featured several generations of computer mice sculpted from soapstone. Jordan Bennett’s Artist and Curators’ Talk – Mural Launch and Solo Exhibition launch is slated for opening Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
8. Arsenal Contemporary
Arsenal Contemporary is a private gallery founded by Pierre and Anne-Marie Trahan meant to promote and develop contemporary Canadian art through exhibitions that are curated in-house but also by international curators. Originally opened in Montreal, the gallery is now present in Toronto and New York. The Toronto location is located in Junction in a refurbished industrial building. The impressive 7,000 square space location is a well-known spot for hosting large-scale art exhibitions as well as other cultural and philanthropic events meant to extend the pool of local art enthusiasts.
9. Koffler Gallery
Another noteworthy space dedicated to the arts, the Koffler Gallery can be found inside Artscape Youngplace on Shaw near Ossington and Queen. This location features a large variety of creative spaces featuring art works such as a mobile cycling exhibit to a chalkboard wall, with a focus on community. The Koffler Gallery is both an in-person- and digitally-friendly type of space dedicated to the arts. It is aimed at audiences spanning all ages and backgrounds with a focus on sparking dialogue on critical ideas and general issues relevant to contemporary times.
10. Ryerson Image Center
As a collaborative institution with the Toronto Metropolitan University, the Ryerson Image Center acts as a liaison for the cultural network of Toronto and the national and international photography community. They develop programs aimed at students, faculty, artists, historians, curators and the general public. Through their 4.500 square feet of exhibition space and more, they have an exhibition program that tackles social, cultural and historical issues alongside their research program which supports inquiry into primary resource materials and provides access to lectures, symposia and publications dedicated to the history of photography.
Now that you’re familiar with Toronto’s art gallery scene, let us which art gallery location you’ve already visited or plan to visit.
Comments