What makes Toronto a city of cutting-edge art and culture?
There is something for everyone in our city of cultural neighborhoods. Surrounded by music, dance, film, theater and other forms on a daily basis, we live and breathe culture, and from our small galleries to our large museums, we attract the best artistic talent and programming in the world.
What is the CONTACT Festival, and how can groups take advantage of it?
Featuring over 1,500 Canadian and international artists and photographers, this annual event in May is the world’s largest photography festival and a premiere cultural event in Canada. Utilizing more than 175 venues throughout Greater Toronto, including the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA), most exhibitions are free. Also at no cost, groups can attend openings, tour the exhibitions and public installations by bicycle, and participate in our lectures and workshops.
What are the hot new venues and experiences in town?
Featuring exciting new artist studios and contemporary galleries, Bloor-Landsdowne in the city’s West End is one hot new area, along with the wine bars, restaurants and galleries along Dundas Street West (see Hip Hood sidebar, page e3). The new Ryerson Image Centre is also a striking addition to the downtown gallery scene.
Are there any unique cultural experiences you would recommend for groups besides Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival?
My favorite spot is the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), which delivers one world-class exhibition after another. My 4-year old daughter and I love getting lost for hours playing artist in AGO’s basement. The Canadian Art Gallery hop is a tremendous opportunity for groups, along with tours of MOCCA and films and exhibitions at Bell Lightbox. And I think Scotiabank’s annual Nuit Blanche (universally translated as “Sleepless Night”) event in October, our free all-night celebration of contemporary art, makes Toronto feel like the center of the world.
