2026 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Call for Artists & Makers

2026 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Call for Artists & Makers

Application Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026 (11:59 PM)

Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION:

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce the return of our partnership with Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF), Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor & online art fair. The TOAF Career Launcher is for students in the Illustration, Material Art & Design, Photography, Integrated Media, Sculpture and Installation, Drawing and Painting, Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design, Indigenous Visual Culture and Printmaking/Publications programs. The selected students will have a free opportunity(5 will each have a solo booth, and 5 will share a booth) at the 65th TOAF to showcase their artworks in-person and online at TOAF.ca.

Since 1961, TOAF has been instrumental in launching artists’ careers and bringing art into people’s everyday lives. TOAF is passionate about supporting artists and exceptional talents through awards, special programs and opportunities. With 170,000 annual visitors to Nathan Phillips Square, 100,000 website visitors, and 1 million annual page views, TOAF’s loyal community of art lovers continues to grow.

For its 65th anniversary, TOAF will be awarding $65,000 through its robust Awards Program. Over the past 65 years, TOAF has granted more than $1 million to artists, providing not only financial support but also public visibility that has led to exhibitions, sales, and long-term career opportunities.⁠ For the past two consecutive years, Career Launcher students have received the prestigious Best of Student Award, which includes an artist fee, a one-week residency at Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, and a two-week solo exhibition at Youngplace — a total award value of $2,500. Career Launchers are also eligible for all awards at TOAF.

TOAF has always reserved a portion of the Fair to emerging and student artists, and has hosted many well-known Canadian artists early in their careers including: Barbara Astman, Edward Burtynsky and many others. This is an amazing opportunity to get yourself out there, nurture an audience, and sell your work! Student applications will be reviewed by the TOAF external jury for final selection.

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS:

3D Works: Three-dimensional artworks, using additive or reductive techniques, including freestanding sculptures, reliefs, assemblages etc. created using either traditional or experimental materials.

2D Works: Two-dimensional, created using one or more physical material, including Drawing, Printmaking, Illustration, Collage, and Mixed Media works, etc.

Craft & Design: Hand-crafted objects (functional or decorative) created using fine craft and/or industrial design practices including, Ceramics, Glass, Jewellery, Textile, Wood/Furniture, etc. Exclude machine-screen patterns or other forms of mass production, and factory-produced wearable items regardless of additional modification.

Painting: Oil, acrylic, encaustic, watercolour, inks, etc.
Photography & Digital Media: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image, and/or digitally manipulated images created from original artist images, and/or other sourced material.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• 6 images of your artwork (a consistent portfolio of work)
• 1 Installation, grouping or booth image (your work in context)
• Artist statement (500 characters max)
• A short description of your process, your medium/method (200 characters)
• Copy of timetable and student card

PARTNER:

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

TOAF.ca/call-for-artists
@torontooutdoorart

Dates: July 10 - 12, 2026

Location: In-person at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen StreetW, Toronto, ON & Online at TOAF.ca.

INFO SESSION (TOAF Career Launcher):

Monday, January 26, 2026
2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
115 McCaul St., 3rd Floor
Click here to RSVP

Join our upcoming info session to learn more about Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and get advice on how to put together a strong application for the 2026 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Career Launcher.

RATE:

• Free opportunity at the 65th TOAF to showcase their artworks in-person and online at TOAF.ca

ELIGIBILITY:

• ILLU, MAAD, PHOTO, INTM, SCIN, DRPT,  INVC or PRNT/PUBL students with 15+ credits and graduating in 2026
• or IAMD students graduating in 2026
• Multidisciplinary artists can submit up to 3 different applications in 3 different categories 
  - You must apply individually under your own name
  - Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity.

APPLICATION LINK:

Click here to Apply
FREE to apply
Use the discount code ‘TOAF65-OCAD-CL’ during checkout

• TOAF Application Tips

QUESTIONS?

Contact Sophie Stein     
Artist Relations Coordinator
sophie@TOAF.ca

Click here for more information about our Career Launchers opportunities.