October 23-26, 2025
Celebrate the Opening of Art Toronto!
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection welcomes you to Opening Night on Thursday, October 23. Enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés, VIP Lounge access, and priority admission to the fair throughout its run.
First Look Opening Night
The McMichael invites you to be the first to connect with the exhibiting galleries and get first pick of artwork available at Art Toronto with exclusive early access at 4 PM for Opening Night.
Price before September 2: $380
Regular Price: $410
- Priority 4 PM Access on October 23
- Opening Night Party Admission with complimentary drinks and canapés
- Complimentary coat check Opening Night
- Collector’s 3-Day Pass (Friday-Sunday)
Proceeds support McMichael Canadian Art Collection*.
Opening Night
The McMichael invites you to celebrate the launch of Art Toronto with a vibrant evening of art, music, drinks, and canapés. Meet gallerists, artists, collectors, high-profile curators and art consultants.
Price before September 2: $290
Regular Price: $320
- Priority 6 PM Access on October 23
- Opening Night Party Admission with complimentary drinks and canapés
- Complimentary coat check Opening Night
- Collector’s 3-Day Pass (Friday-Sunday)
Proceeds support McMichael Canadian Art Collection*.
Collectors on Art Toronto Opening Night
We've asked three distinct collectors—corporate, private, and cultural institution—to share their insights on the significance of Art Toronto Opening Night.
Stefan Hancherow, Curator
RBC
What is the advantage to acquiring pieces during the Art Toronto Opening Night? Any tips for those attending for the first time
“The advantage is that many galleries present a new series by an artist, or even a new artist in their booth. In some cases rare works by historical artists are made available at the fair. No matter what you are looking for, you have the ability to find something really special at Art Toronto. There is a reason many collectors want to be first in the door. If this is your first time, I recommend soaking it all in, starting up conversations with gallerists, artists and all the wonderful visual art supporters and collectors at the fair.”
What are you most looking forward to this year?
"Visiting with all the incredible gallerists, collectors and artists who travel from around Canada and the world to be at the fair. I’m and always thrilled to meet new attendees as well!"
What has been your favourite discovery at Art Toronto Opening Night so far?
"Every year there is multiple new discoveries, be that a new gallery, or a new artist. I also really enjoy talking with colleagues and friends about upcoming exhibitions or residencies, but my favourite is being in the presence of masterful artwork and going to visit it a few times over the weekend."
Tony Hailu, Calgary Collector
What is the advantage to acquiring pieces during the Art Toronto Opening Night? Any tips for those attending for the first time
"Artists and galleries tend to send, bring best examples of their works to the art fair. Collectors and institutional buyers descend on the fair on the Thursday Opening Night. If you miss the Thursday Opening Night, you might miss the chance to acquire the best works."
What are you most looking forward to this year?
"This year I am most looking forward to making the time to expand my net work of curators, meeting other Canadian collectors."
What has been your favourite discovery at Art Toronto Opening Night so far?
"Meeting in person and learning about Toronto and international artists, their galleries."
Jean-François Bélisle, Director and CEO
National Gallery of Canada
What is the advantage to acquiring pieces during the Art Toronto Opening Night? Any tips for those attending for the first time
"The diversity of galleries and extremely wide selection of artists exhibited makes Art Toronto one of the best places to buy art in Canada, every year!"
What are you most looking forward to this year?
"Every year at Art Toronto, I love seeing recent productions of some of the best Canadian artists."
During the 2024 edition of Art Toronto the generous contributions from attendees and Opening Night sponsors not only raised vital funds for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, but also enabled the acquisition of seven new artworks for the McMichael's permanent collection.
Native Art Department International, "Aanzinaago (Caught in a Transformation) 01," 2024 (Patel Brown) acquired with support from Hatch
Sophie Nagyougalik, "Tundra," 2022 (Marion Scott Gallery) acquired with support from Demetriou Art Group
Darcie Bernhardt, "Laundry Day in Husky Lakes," 2024 (Feheley Fine Arts)
(2024 Opening Night Photos by Ryan Emberley Photography)
About McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is the largest publicly funded gallery in Canada that focuses exclusively on Canadian and Indigenous art, both historical and contemporary. The permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists who have contributed to the development of Canadian art. The McMichael is also the gallery of record for works on paper from the Inuit community of Cape Dorset (Kinngait) as custodians for the Cape Dorset archive, which totals nearly 100,000 artworks.
Built of fieldstone and hand-hewn logs in a modernist design, the McMichael houses thirteen exhibition galleries where floor-to-ceiling windows enable visitors to enjoy views of the densely wooded Humber River Valley. Beyond the galleries are 100 acres of forested land, the Minokamik Garden, and heritage wetlands and waterways.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an Agency of the Government of Ontario.
*A portion of the sale of this ticket may be eligible for a charitable tax receipt if/as applicable and allowable by the CRA, once all event financial details have been finalized. All proceeds from this evening benefit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.