Calling All Toronto Artists! Come Display Your Work at the Library

Did you know that Toronto Public Library has art exhibit and public display space at 16 branches for you?

Artists can submit their work for possible exhibition during the September 2019 to August 2020 season, until the submission deadline of April 26, 2019. A committee will consider works prepared for hanging in all media including photography, but sorry not sculpture. Selected artists are given one-month showings in one of 16 branch locations across the City. The Library charges a $20.00 + HST fee to apply to its Art Exhibits Program. Preference is given to exhibitors who live or work in the City of Toronto.

The Art Exhibits program presents community members and artists with valuable public exhibition exposure - ideally to underrepresented artists and communities with limited opportunities to exhibit. Having art exhibits in the library also serves to enhance the cultural experience of other customers and users of the library. We see the Art Exhibits program as a way to enhance everyone's ability to participate in the creative and cultural life of the City and to create cultural connections. Annually there are approximately 230 one-month exhibits held each year.

Of course we don't just provide space - we also can help you along with your hobby or burgeoning career

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity:

"Cameron presents a twelve-week program to recover your creativity and restore artistic confidence and productivity."

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles:

Art Matters:

"Drawn from Gaiman's trove of published speeches, poems, and creative manifestos, Art Matters is an embodiment of this remarkable multi-media artist's vision--an exploration of how reading, imagining, and creating can transform the world and our lives".

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative:

"Offers advice and encouragement to help readers foster creativity and be artistically productive in a wide variety of endeavors".

Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention

Taking the Leap: Building a Career as a Visual Artist (the Insider’s Guide to Exhibiting and Selling Your Art)

Art, Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building your Career as an Artist

Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain

Ready to apply? Follow the steps below:

1. Read the following information about Art Exhibits in the library:

Use of Library Space for Art Exhibits Policy

General Guidelines for Art Exhibits

Insurance Coverage

2. Review the list of locations. Make sure you select branches with dimensions suitable for your exhibits and locations that meet your transportation needs.

3. Complete and return the Art Exhibits Application Form (PDF).

The Art Selection Committee considers works in all media, including photography, but not sculptures. Preference will be given to exhibitors who live or work in the City of Toronto. Artists selected to exhibit will be notified by June 21, 2019.

Need ideas and inspiration? Check out current and upcoming Art Exhibits.

Questions? Contact the Art Exhibits Office at 416-393-7224, or by email at artexhibits@torontopubliclibrary.ca.

I wanted to also acknowledge and thank my colleague Liana whose own blog on Art Exhibits was key to my writing this one.

You may also want to check out some of these other library blogs for great ideas and resources: