This is a big city, and it’s big on art. It isn’t hard to walk down a street without running into some kind of creativity, but choosing where to go next when you’re looking for inspiration in Toronto or new artistic sights to see can be challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this short list of 6 must see locations for art in Toronto. Whether you’re new to the city or a seasoned veteran of the 6ix, this article is bound to give you some ideas to alleviate your creative block.
The Power Plant
Located at 231 Queens Quay West at the Harbourfront Centre, The Power Plant has been around since 1987 and is known as Canada’s leading public art gallery for contemporary artwork. They host a variety of programs and events including in depth discussions on exhibitions as well as intimate conversations and dinners with the artists themselves. The Power Plant features some of the finest contemporary art from Canada and around the world, and has made a serious name for itself as a leading international art gallery. Stop by to see their recently opened exhibits “Field of Emotion” by artist Kader Attia and “The Song of the Germans” by Emeka Ogboh.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is another great home for contemporary art in the city that should definitely not be left off an artist’s list. MOCA has featured the artwork of over 1,100 artists, hosted over 200 exhibitions and greeted 40,000 annual visitors. Originally located on Queen West, the Museum has announced a grand reopening in a 55,000 square foot former industrial space located in the Junction Triangle, that will take place on May 26 of this year. They will open their doors to feature a brand new exhibition known as “BELIEVE”, which will take a look into what it means to live in a diverse society. This exhibition will showcase the artwork of 15 different artists and will span across 2 floors of the building. MOCA will also offer a free opening weekend with activities open to the public.
Graffiti Alley
For the more urban artist, Graffiti Alley is obviously a must see in Toronto. With about 1 kilometre worth of artwork spanning through the back alleys of The Fashion District from Spadina to Portland Street, Graffiti Alley offers some incredible street art from a variety of different artists. From individual typographic tagging to full fledged murals covering the sides of entire buildings, there’s definitely something for everyone at this Toronto gem. However, given its illustrious, artistic appeal and the fact that it is completely free of charge to visit, this is one of Toronto’s more popular tourist destinations. So if big crowds aren’t really your cup of tea, try going on a weekday to life hack your way around the sea of tourists that often occupy the area.
The AGO
It probably goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyways; The AGO is without a doubt one of the most notable and distinguished art galleries in all of North America, and is definitely a reliable source of artistic inspiration in Toronto. The AGO hosts over 90,000 pieces of artwork, with stunning new exhibitions being showcased on a regular basis. From the work of the famous Canadian “Group of Seven” to collections of Indigenous, European, Modern, and African art along with so much more, The AGO boasts one of the biggest varieties of work there is. Current exhibitions include “Édouard Baldus: The Louvre Folios, 1855–1857” and the very interesting “ReBlink” exhibit, which allows visitors to use their smartphones for an augmented reality experience that will put a fun, digital twist on historical works of art!
Toronto Light Festival
From January 19 to March 4, the Toronto Light Festival returns to the Distillery District to dazzle and amaze. Featuring work from a variety of local and international artists, the festival showcases incredible light art that emits or manipulates light, colours and shadows in beautiful and expressive ways. With the dark and ominous presence of cold, old winter, this festival aims to make things a little bit brighter and collectively lift the spirits of the city. This year you can plan on seeing some amazing pieces, from a fire breathing dragon to an actual piano that plays light. Oh, and did we mention that it’s also completely free? So stop by while it’s still going on to see some phenomenal work by some amazing artists, and save that extra cash for some food and drinks at the fantastic breweries and restaurants that the Distillery District is known for!
House of VR
On the forefront of digital technology meeting art is the House of VR, located at 639 Queen Street West. After opening in the summer of last year, this stunning virtual reality location has amazed visitors with its VR experiences, offering everything from gaming & entertainment all the way to meditation! But one of the most interesting aspects of House of VR, is their involvement with the art community. Their VR Art Battle events and Augmented Reality art exhibits offer new ways of seeing artwork and creativity, and artists and amateurs alike can take part in Workshop series where they can fill entire canvases in their own virtual worlds. They even feature new artists’ work out of their storefront, showcasing new forms of digital art and creative expression to the community on a regular basis!
Hopefully this list will keep you busy for a little while and satisfy those creative cravings, but remember: this is just a small look at a wide variety of artistic locations to be found around the city, so get out there and explore!