Art Toronto Director Describes Anticipations for Canada’s Leading Art Fair This Year [Interview]

Installation from Art Toronto 2024

The charm of an art fair lies in its capacity to reflect the artistic culture of the city or region hosting it. The Seattle Art Fair, for example, took the chance to delve into the longstanding legacy of glass art in the Pacific Northwest. Art Toronto similarly draws from the local culture and the broader national heritage to establish its unique perspective. Scheduled from October 23 to October 26, 2025, the event marks its 26th year. Promoted as “Canada’s art fair,” Art Toronto predominantly features Canadian galleries with a strong emphasis on the work of Indigenous artists and the locations that represent them.

Art Toronto draws approximately 20,000 attendees during its three-day event. As a visitor, you’ll encounter over 110 galleries. While this may seem substantial, the overall space is more compact compared to many other art fairs. It avoids feeling overcrowded or daunting, allowing you to view all that the exhibition has to present—and then return to your favorites. This scale also enhances interaction among you, the galleries, and the artists present at the fair.

Alongside the gallery displays, Art Toronto offers supplementary programs that highlight curatorial efforts and form exhibitions within the larger fair context. One notable initiative is the Focus exhibition, which annually invites a new curator to assemble a group show featuring work sourced from the participating galleries. This provides fresh perspectives on the artworks as pieces are arranged in dialogue with each other—rather than being isolated within separate booths.

My Modern Met engaged with Art Toronto Director Mia Nielsen regarding the art fair. She expressed her enthusiasm and shared her hopes for what visitors will gain from the experience. During our conversation, she also disclosed a confidential collaboration taking place at Art Toronto 2025. We won’t reveal it here, so you’ll need to be there to discover it.

Scroll down for our exclusive interview, which has been edited for clarity and shortened for conciseness.

Installation from Art Toronto 2024

For those who may not be familiar with Art Toronto, how would you characterize it?

This is an international art fair viewed through a Canadian lens, meaning most of our galleries hail from Canada. You’ll definitely encounter international galleries, but many there don’t participate in other global fairs. One aspect I find particularly fascinating about this event is how well-established the Indigenous art market is in Canada. This incorporates a wealth of tradition—authentic rather than kitschy—such as the significance of Inuit printmaking.

In the last five to ten years, we’ve witnessed a new wave of Indigenous artists employing traditional techniques like beading and leatherwork, drawing on their heritage in deeply significant ways. Some may have grown up on a reserve but are now city dwellers, approaching their work with a robust contemporary viewpoint. Consequently, this year, more than half of our galleries feature Indigenous artists in their programs. Alongside this growth of the Indigenous art market, we’re also observing a global aspect of indigeneity that excites me. For example, we have N.Smith joining us from Australia, focusing solely on Indigenous artists from the South Pacific, including Maori artists.

Additionally, we have several galleries from South and Central America represented, showcasing Indigenous artists from the Amazon region. I believe this offers a compelling perspective emerging from Art Toronto that appeals to those interested in Indigenous artists and how they connect with one another, as well as what distinguishes them in North America and globally.

Installation from Art Toronto 2024

Was the focus on Indigenous artists something you purposefully fostered to draw in galleries and artists?

It has actually unfolded quite naturally, as Indigenous artists have been represented by galleries in Toronto and at Art Toronto since its inception. The initial representation was organic, and we also notice Indigenous artists from Canada gaining international recognition. A case in point is Kent Monkman, who was the first artist invited to create site-specific works for the reception hall at The Met [in New York City].

So it essentially aligns perfectly, right? As the director, I focus on identifying trends that naturally arise from the fair. How do we cultivate that—guide, shape, support, and attract—a distinct type of collector, especially since the international art fair scene is quite saturated? There are numerous art fairs out there.

Installation from Art Toronto 2024

What do you enjoy most about attending Art Toronto?

I have a few things to mention. First, I’m always thrilled by our Focus exhibition. It’s a program we’ve initiated, and this will be its fourth edition. Each year, we invite a prominent curator to create