What is Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and who organizes it?

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is Canada’s largest and longest-running outdoor juried art fair, organized by the not-for-profit Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. It presents 400+ selected artists each year at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto and online, offering original works across many visual art disciplines.

How can artists apply to exhibit at Toronto Outdoor Art Fair?

Artists typically apply through an annual open call published on TOAF’s official website. Applications are juried by arts professionals who select exhibitors based on artistic merit and originality. Eligibility, categories, booth fees, and deadlines are outlined in the call for submissions each year.

When and where does the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair take place?

The fair is held once a year, usually in July, at Nathan Phillips Square beside Toronto City Hall in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Exact dates and hours vary by year and are announced on the TOAF website, along with details of the concurrent online fair.

Is there an admission fee for visitors and how do people attend?

Admission to the public is free. Visitors can browse booths, speak directly with artists, and purchase artwork on-site or through the online fair. Certain special programs, such as talks or tours, may require advance registration, with details provided each year on the official site.

What are the main benefits for artists exhibiting with this organizer?

TOAF offers extensive visibility in a high-traffic downtown venue, access to thousands of potential collectors, curators, and buyers, and the opportunity to sell work directly without gallery commissions. Exhibitors also benefit from a juried awards program, promotional features, and the extended reach of TOAF’s online fair platform.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition / Toronto

Organizer

Canada’s leading outdoor juried art fair connecting artists and audiences in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Directory listing reviewed June 2026

Toronto, Ontario, Canada1 upcomingBroadcast Sports & StadiumNational +2

Official websiteContact

List your exhibition Media partnership

In directory1

Upcoming1

About Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition / Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF)

Geographic reach: National, Local – Toronto, Canada-wide (online fair)

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, now known as **Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF)**, is one of Canada’s longest-running and largest outdoor art fairs, founded in 1961 by philanthropist Murray Koffler and artist Alan Jarvis to create direct connections between artists and the public in the heart of downtown Toronto. Held annually at Nathan Phillips Square, beside Toronto City Hall, the fair has grown from a small local initiative into a nationally recognized showcase that typically features **400+ juried artists** from across Canada working in painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, mixed media, and digital art.

The organization operates as a not‑for‑profit charitable arts organization dedicated to supporting emerging and established visual artists through accessible, unmediated marketplace opportunities and year‑round programming. In addition to the flagship open‑air fair, TOAF has developed a robust **online fair** platform, enabling artists to reach collectors and audiences beyond Toronto and across Canada, and providing hybrid participation options that extend the event’s impact.

The fair’s professional jurying and awards program distributes significant cash and in‑kind prizes each year, enhancing artists’ visibility and careers while reinforcing TOAF’s status as a talent incubator. Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition emphasizes accessibility: admission to the fair is free, the site is fully open to the public, and price points span from modest works for first‑time buyers to major pieces for seasoned collectors.

The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, including curators, designers, and corporate buyers, making it a strategic platform for exhibitors seeking direct sales, commissions, and exposure in Canada’s largest art market. Through partnerships with civic, cultural, and corporate stakeholders, TOAF continues to play a central role in Toronto’s cultural calendar and Canada’s contemporary art ecosystem.