FAQs

2026 Biennial

The fourth iteration of the Toronto Biennial of Art takes place September 26th to December 20th, 2026. 

The complete list of participating exhibition artists can be found HERE.

The Toronto Biennial of Art spans various indoor, outdoor, and partner exhibition sites. 

Exhibition Sites:
– Aga Khan Museum
– Art Gallery of Ontario
– Art Museum at the University of Toronto – Justina M. Barnicke Gallery
– Art Museum at the University of Toronto – University of Toronto Art Centre
– CN Tower
– Gallery TPW
– Harbourfront Centre
– Mercer Union
– Royal Ontario Museum
– Sankofa Square
– Scarborough Gurdwara
– St. George Subway Station
– Times Square
– Toronto Pearson Airport

Most events and exhibitions are free to the public. Some programs may require registration due to space limitations, which can be reserved via individual program pages.

The opening hours vary by venue. Some venues have fixed hours, while others are in public spaces and available 24-hours a day. Please check specific venue pages for detailed hours.

There are a few ways to experience select Biennial sites with a guide:

  • Storytelling Sessions
    • TBA 2026 offers tours, walks, talks and storytelling around Allison Glenn’s curatorial vision for the 2026 Biennial, Things Fall Apart, exploring rupture and extending waterways across borders. Storytellers will be on site for weekly drop-in sessions on Saturdays and select Sundays, between 12:30-4 pm at the Art Museum, University of Toronto.
    • In addition, 2024 TBA Storyteller and emerging historian Jingshu Yao returns to offer special storytelling sessions for ESL Learners in English.
  • The Biennial Bus Tours – Occuring October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at 12:30pm and 4:15pm
    • Follow the work of TBA artist Nirbhai (nep) Singh Sidhu across three distinct architectural, historical, and cultural sites throughout Toronto.

All programs mentioned above require pre-registration, found within each program page.

Yes, most venues are fully accessible. Please refer to our accessibility page and each site page for information on each venue.

We offer services such as audio guides and specialty Storytelling tours for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please contact us at learning@torontobiennial.org in advance for more information on these and more. 

Toronto is accessible by plane, train, bus, and car. The main airport is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), with the secondary airport, Billy Bishop Airport, located in the city centre. The city is well-connected by public transit, with Union Station acting as a hub for local and provincial transit.

See our Visitor Information page for hotel and transit info.

We have partnered with Union Hotels, who is offering special rates for Biennial visitors. Check our Visitor Information page for more details!

General 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 twelve-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 12 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
Creative Partnerships
Artists
Program Participants

Key highlights of the 2026 Biennial include:

30 Artists and Collectives
10+ Exhibition Sites 
16 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 offer regular moments of engagement and connection for intergenerational audiences, in the form of
performances, conversations, viewings, shared meals, and more. 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 2026 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.

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.

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

The fourth edition of the Toronto Biennial of Art will run from September 26 – December 20, 2026.  

Information on the 2026 Biennial and current updates can be found here.