Art, out in the open.
The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) brings contemporary art directly to the public — free, outdoors, and without the barriers and formality of a traditional gallery. Every summer at Nathan Phillips Square, and online year-round.
Operated by THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION, a registered Canadian charity. No. 119259620 RR0001.
* Figures as reported on the organisation's CanadaHelps profile.
Meet art where people are
TOAF was established to nurture artistic excellence and artists' entrepreneurial spirit, and to showcase contemporary art directly to the general public. Painting, photography, mixed media, jewellery, ceramics and more — shown by the artists themselves, in the heart of the city.
🎨 400+ artists a year
Over 400 contemporary visual artists and makers are showcased annually, selected through a juried process.
🏙️ Free & in the square
A free public event at Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West) — open to everyone, no ticket needed.
🏆 $1.1M+ in awards
Since 1961, TOAF has given over $1.1 million in awards and helped launch and sustain the careers of some 20,000 Canadian artists.*
Art belongs to everyone
As a registered charity, we keep the Fair free and open. Donations are eligible for official donation receipts and can be made through our CanadaHelps profile.
About Us
About Us
THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION — operating as the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) — is Canada's largest and longest-running juried contemporary outdoor art fair.
Why we exist
The Fair was established to nurture artistic excellence and artists' entrepreneurial spirit, and to showcase contemporary art directly to the general public — removing the barriers and formality of a traditional gallery.
Artists show and sell their work themselves, face to face with the public. Visitors discover original contemporary art in an open, welcoming city square — and online through the Fair's online platform, which began in 2020.
What we do
- Present a free, juried, 3-day summer fair at Nathan Phillips Square
- Run an online Fair / platform alongside the in-person event
- Showcase painting, photography, mixed media, jewellery, ceramics and more
- Give cash and in-kind awards to established and emerging artists
- Connect artists directly with buyers, collectors and the general public
Registered charity
Legal name: THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION
Operating name: Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF)
CRA No.: 119259620 RR0001
Status: Registered, effective 14 April 1982
Designation: Charitable organization
Category: Arts — other purposes beneficial to the community
Fiscal year end: 31 August
The Fair
The Fair
A free, 3-day summer celebration of contemporary art — outdoors at Nathan Phillips Square, and online.
At Nathan Phillips Square
Each summer, artist booths fill Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall (100 Queen Street West). Admission is free — just walk in, browse, meet the artists and buy directly from them.
- Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
- When: Each summer, over 3 days
- Admission: Free, open to the general public
- What you'll find: Painting, photography, mixed media, jewellery, ceramics and more
The online Fair
Alongside the square, the online Fair / platform — which began in 2020 in response to the pandemic — lets people discover and buy artists' work online, extending the Fair beyond the square.
Meet the makers
Every booth is run by the artist. Ask about the work, the process and the story behind a piece — directly from the person who made it.
Buy original art
Visitors spend over $2 million on art purchases during the 3-day Fair, as reported on the organisation's CanadaHelps profile — money that goes to working artists.
Awards on show
The Fair's awards programme recognises outstanding work by established and emerging artists with cash and in-kind awards.
Our History
Our History
From a bold idea in 1961 to Canada's largest outdoor art fair — 65 years in 2026.
The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition is founded by Murray and Marvelle Koffler, with a simple, radical idea: take contemporary art out of the gallery and show it directly to the general public, outdoors.
The Fair becomes a summer fixture at Nathan Phillips Square, in front of Toronto City Hall, helping launch and sustain the careers of Canadian artists year after year.
The organisation's registration as a Canadian charity takes effect on 14 April 1982 (CRA No. 119259620 RR0001), formalising its charitable work supporting artists and public access to art.
In response to the pandemic, an online Fair / platform begins, so artists and audiences can connect even when they cannot gather in the square.
TOAF marks 65 years since 1961 — having, as reported, helped some 20,000 Canadian artists and given over $1.1 million in awards.
For Artists
For Artists
Show and sell your work directly to the public — in the square and online — at Canada's largest juried outdoor art fair.
A juried fair
TOAF is a juried contemporary art fair. Artists apply and are selected through the Fair's jury process, keeping the standard of work high across painting, photography, mixed media, jewellery, ceramics and more.
Sell direct to the public
Your booth, your work, your conversation with buyers. Around 170,000 visitors attend over 3 days and spend over $2 million on art purchases, as reported on the organisation's CanadaHelps profile.
Awards
The awards programme offers cash and in-kind awards for established and emerging artists. Publicly described awards have historically included the Mayor's Purchase Award and the Best of Student Award.
Why artists take part
- Reach a large public audience in the heart of Toronto
- Sell original work directly — no gallery intermediary at the booth
- Build an entrepreneurial practice: pricing, presenting and talking about your work
- Be part of the online Fair / platform as well as the square
- Join a fair that has helped launch and sustain some 20,000 Canadian artists' careers since 1961*
* As reported on the organisation's CanadaHelps profile.
Applying
Applications are handled through the Fair's official channels when each year's call opens. For current application information, contact the Fair office:
📧 info@torontooutdoor.art
📞 416-408-2754
📍 Suite 262, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
Impact
Impact
What six and a half decades of open-air art add up to — figures as reported on the organisation's CanadaHelps profile.
Careers, launched in a square
Since 1961, TOAF has helped launch and sustain the careers of some 20,000 Canadian artists. For many emerging artists, a booth at Nathan Phillips Square is a first chance to present work to a large public, make sales, and learn the business of being an artist.
Awards that back artists
Over $1.1 million has been given in awards — cash and in-kind support recognising established and emerging artists, including publicly described awards such as the Mayor's Purchase Award and Best of Student Award historically.
Public value, every summer
Around 170,000 visitors spend over $2 million on art purchases during the 3-day Fair — direct income for working artists, and free access to contemporary art for everyone who walks through the square.
Our People / Governance
Our People & Governance
A board-led registered charity with a small professional team — as reported in the latest CRA return.
How we're governed
THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION is a registered Canadian charitable organization (designation: Charitable organization; category: Arts). It is led by its board and delivered by a small professional team, supported each summer by the artists, partners and volunteers who make the Fair happen.
Team — CRA return, period ending 31 Aug 2025
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Full-time employees | 5 |
| Part-time employees | 1 |
| Total compensation for all positions | $282,739 CAD |
Source: CRA T3010 return for the period ending 31 August 2025.
What the team does
- Runs the juried application and selection process
- Produces the 3-day Fair at Nathan Phillips Square
- Operates the online Fair / platform
- Administers the awards programme
- Works with funders, sponsors and the City venue
Work or volunteer with us
For enquiries about working or volunteering with the Fair, contact the office at info@torontooutdoor.art or 416-408-2754.
Transparency & Finances
Transparency & Finances
Our CRA registration and latest reported finances, published openly. All figures in CAD, for the period ending 31 August 2025.
Registration facts (CRA)
| Legal name | THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION |
| Charity No. | 119259620 RR0001 |
| Status | Registered — effective 14 April 1982 |
| Designation | Charitable organization |
| Charity type / category | Other purposes beneficial to the community — Arts |
| Fiscal year end | 31 August |
| Office | Suite 262, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8 |
Revenue — period ending 31 Aug 2025 (CAD)
| Source | CAD |
|---|---|
| Receipted donations | $11,950 |
| Non-receipted donations | $118,306 |
| Gifts from other registered charities | $119,325 |
| Government funding | $210,896 |
| All other revenue | $430,342 |
| Total revenue | $890,819 |
Expenses — period ending 31 Aug 2025 (CAD)
| Use | CAD | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Charitable programs | $730,535 | 87.5% |
| Management & administration | $103,973 | 12.5% |
| Fundraising | $0 | 0% |
| Gifts to qualified donees | $0 | 0% |
| Total expenses | $834,508 | 100% |
Professional and consulting fees: $43,864 CAD. Source: CRA T3010 Quick View, period ending 31 August 2025. About 88 cents of every expense dollar went to charitable programs in this period.
Support Us
Support Us
Help keep Canada's largest outdoor art fair free — and keep artists selling, learning and thriving.
💛 Donate
As a registered charity, donations to THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION are eligible for official donation receipts (receipted donations are reported in our CRA return).
Donate securely through our CanadaHelps profile:
🤝 Funders & sponsors
Government funding of $210,896 CAD and gifts from other registered charities of $119,325 CAD were reported in the CRA period ending 31 Aug 2025, alongside donations and other revenue. Organisations interested in supporting the Fair can contact the office to discuss sponsorship.
🙋 Volunteer
The Fair comes to life each summer with help behind the scenes. To enquire about volunteering, email the Fair office:
info@torontooutdoor.art
416-408-2754
Contact
Contact
Talk to the Fair office — or come and find us in the square each summer.
Fair office
THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF)
Suite 262, 401 Richmond Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8, Canada
📞 416-408-2754
📧 info@torontooutdoor.art
🌐 torontooutdoor.art • Social: @TOAFart
Fair venue
Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Free admission during the summer Fair.
Common enquiries
- Artists: applications & exhibiting — email the office
- Visitors: the Fair is free; just come to the square on Fair days
- Donations: via our CanadaHelps profile ↗
- Official record: CRA charity listing ↗