FAQs

Biennial means “every other year”, and is most commonly used to describe large-scale international contemporary art exhibitions. Currently, there are over 250 biennials in the world, the majority of which are institutional. There are only six independent, city-based biennials in North America.

The Toronto Biennial of Art’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. A ten-week event every two years, the Biennial commissions artists to create new works for a city-wide exhibition in dialogue with Toronto’s diverse local contexts. Year-round public and learning programs bridge Biennials and invite intergenerational audiences to explore the ideas that inspire our events. Building upon past editions and offering new ways of seeing and listening, each Biennial connects people to spark meaningful dialogues and imagine new futures.

Our collaborative, cross-disciplinary event aims to spotlight and amplify Toronto and Canada’s vibrant arts ecosystem through:

• Showcasing Toronto’s rising international status as a destination for arts and culture
• Positioning Toronto as an international leader in the arts
• Engaging a global audience
• Leveraging visibility for all artists and participants
• Expanding understandings of contemporary art practices
• Supporting local arts communities 
• Driving placemaking, tourism, and economic development

The Toronto Biennial of Art is a free, multi-venue event that features contemporary art from around the world over the span of 10 weeks.

During the Biennial, Torontonians can engage with contemporary art and their city through authentic relationship-building, dialogue, and meaningful connections with artists and each other. Local, national, and international artists present ambitious artworks through thoughtful curatorial visions, engaging with new audiences in innovative ways and creating access to underrepresented stories.

TBA presents year-round, artist-led public programs and community engagements that provide inviting entry points to contemporary art for intergenerational Torontonians, and leverage partnerships to reduce barriers to participation. In addition, TBA produces artist publications, podcasts, videos, and digital content that build connections with artists and audiences across Toronto and beyond.

The Toronto Biennial of Art would not be possible without the generosity of its patrons, corporate partners, and government funders, as well as its committed team, board members, artists, and partners.

To learn more please visit the following pages:
Donors & Supporters
Our Team & Board
Participants
Creative Partnerships

Key highlights of the 2024 Biennial included:

90+ Artworks
55+ Exhibitions and Programming Artists 
11 Exhibition Sites 
20 Commissions

TBA aims to ensure that exceptional experiences with art are available to, and meaningful for, everyone. 

Created for participants of all ages, TBA programs include performances, moments for exchange and conversation, hands-on workshops, and learning experiences. Visit the Programs Overview page to learn more.

The Toronto Biennial of Art is a carefully curated event, with artists from Toronto and around the world invited to contribute to exhibitions and programming based on a specific theme. The 2024 edition involved a year-long research process, including studio visits and meetings with art professionals. Recommendations from colleagues, peers, and artists ensured diverse perspectives were considered.

There are a variety of ways to support TBA. Please visit the Support the Biennial page to learn more.

Explore our website for job calls and the latest TBA information. You can also stay in touch by signing up for our newsletter or following us on Instagram and Facebook.

To join the Toronto Biennial of Art volunteer team, please email volunteers@torontobiennial.org

Artworks featured in the Biennial are not for sale through TBA.

Please get in touch with artist gallery representatives directly, or email info@torontobiennial.org to receive contact information.

Toronto Biennial of Art Publications is a growing library of content, contexts, and concepts emerging from, and expanding on, TBA’s Exhibitions and public programs.

In partnership with Art Metropole and Goose Lane Editions, TBA released the exhibition catalogue, Precarious Joys, at the opening of its third edition on September 21, 2024. Edited by the Biennial’s 2024 curators, this publication includes conversations between artists, curators, community and staff members, as well as reproductions of artwork by featured artists. Together, the texts and images offer readers insights into how artistic practices can amplify political consciousness and reassert the power of aesthetics in shaping collective existence.

Please visit the Publications page to learn more about where TBA Publications are sold.

The third edition of the Toronto Biennial of Art ran from September 21 – December 1, 2024.  

The Curatorial Vision can be found here. 

The complete list of 2024 artists and participants can be found here.

For a map of all 2024 Biennial sites, click here.

Information on the 2024 Public Programs can be found here.