Biggest art fair in Toronto wants to make art collecting less exclusive

Toronto’s biggest art show is trying to make the world of contemporary art affordable.

Art Toronto, Canada’s longest-running art fair for contemporary design, is opening this week to massive fanfare.

Emily-Jean Alexander, a key figure who has worked her way through the global scene of art curation for decades, is embarking on her first year as director and, in doing so, aims to make a seemingly intimidating hobby something anyone can enjoy.

Primarily, by breaking through obstacles you wouldn’t think were impacting fine art.

The ongoing trade war with the U.S. — beyond hitting necessities — is also chipping away at luxuries, with art traded from either side of the border reaching a near-complete standstill.

“What it has done has cut a lot of galleries and artists off at the knees, as the notion of shipping anything cross-border is now just astronomically more expensive. So with this event, we are looking to shore up an audience for Canadian art to buck against any micro or macroeconomic trends,” Alexander told yourcitywithIN.

As a result, Canadian icon and photographer Edward Burtynsky will have his Vault Collection as the centrepiece for this year’s event, allowing those new to the world of contemporary photography a chance to dip their toe in.

Outside the purview of Canadian artists, the Karen Huber Gallery, an iconic art gallery in Mexico City, will also be curating the event with countless works from Mexico, Central and South America, New York and Toronto, in an effort to showcase galleries on an international scale, especially as geopolitics continues to impact the art trade.

“In 2025, the global art market was down by roughly 30 per cent, then with what is happening with conflict in the Middle East, plus tariffs, it just threw the art world for another major loop. So the biggest challenge right now, and not just at the fair, is to make sure it stays sustainable,” says Alexander.

Alexander remains keenly aware that making all of the pieces accessible is still a top priority. With that in mind, Art Toronto comes complete with a fleet of advisors to make sure your dollars spent match your taste.

“A lot of people, families, or couples looking to plunge into this world will often indicate that they have a certain budget. So, if they need a gut check to see if what they are mulling over actually works for them, an advisor will be on hand — it’s all crafted to be accessible and comfortable,” says Alexander.

Alexander states that these advisors are the opposite of, say, a used car salesman, and due to their expertise, will go the extra mile to make sure someone doesn’t throw away money on something they aren’t fully confident in.

“It’s all about fortifying the skillset that collectors, or would-be collectors, need to have. I’ve seen it in practice in other places, such as Brussels, and it strikingly benefits both the fair and its attendees,” says Alexander.

For those looking to spiffy up their apartment or condo, Alexander states that these advisors will help them find affordable art that can sit comy within the square footage of the average Toronto dwelling.

Alexander also wants to help curate a space where art isn’t relegated to just galleries or household walls, and as a result, has also stitched in a ‘beyond the booth’ incentive, where feature installations focus on art and its connection to nature.

As for the general sensation going into the fair, Alexander is confident that it will exceed the expectations of seasoned collectors and knock the socks off of new attendees.

“There is so much excitement bubbling under the fair — it’s a homecoming for everybody involved. I mean, we get to have the entirety of the Canadian art world and beyond all in one room.”

Art Toronto is bringing 105 exhibitors to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and will run from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.

[Headline photo courtesy of Rebecca Tisdelle Macias and Art Toronto]