Toronto Biennial of Art presents local, national, and international contemporary art in a citywide event as culturally layered and connected as Toronto itself. The event takes place every two years, offering accessible and transformative visual art exhibitions, installations, talks, learning opportunities, and happenings in new and unexpected spaces along the shores of Lake Ontario.
The Biennial’s goal is to galvanize Toronto and nearby cities, connecting communities around art and culture, and contributing to global conversations from a distinctly Canadian perspective. The event reflects the specific context of the region and its unique standard for inclusion and openness.
In an effort to make contemporary art available to everyone, admission to curated venues and outdoor installations is free and open to the public.
The Biennial is a cultural catalyst, communicating ideas with a spirit of experimentation and innovation. Every two years, Toronto becomes an incubator for current discourse and an exchange of critical ideas in contemporary art among artists and diverse audiences from across Canada and around the world. By delivering extensive exhibitions and cultural partner programming, the Toronto Biennial will engage students, youth, families, artists, communities, and professionals in the arts.
The inaugural Toronto Biennial of Art, held from September 21 to December 1, 2019, is a new international contemporary visual arts event that brought 72 days of free visual arts programming to the city. The 2019 Biennial unfolded along Toronto’s waterfront and was shaped by its historical and present-day context. Home to over 250 ethnicities, and with over half its population born outside of Canada, Toronto has a reputation for being the most culturally diverse city in the world. A reflection of this specific context, the 2019 Biennial featured Canadian, Indigenous, and international artists, over 50% of whom are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour). As conversations about truth and reconciliation as well as inclusion and accessibility continue to evolve, the Biennial recognizes the urgency of developing new ways of looking and listening.
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