Professional Development Sessions
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is pleased to host a series of professional development sessions this year to support the development of art entrepreneurship and business skills for independent artists. Learn more about the Art Encounters Program.
Check out previous professional sessions here with speakers information.
Past Sessions
How Many is Too Many? Prints, Editions & Reproductions
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
How do you find the right balance between scarcity and accessibility when it comes to prints and reproductions of your art? How can you maintain the value of your work without saturating the market or diluting its impact? How many is too many?
As an original art-only fair, TOAF often receives questions about our reproduction policy, edition sizes, and the use of multiples. To generate this valuable conversation, we’ve invited seasoned artists and professionals to share their insights on best practices, including edition limits, types of acceptable reproductions, and more.
We hope to shine a light on these concerns and help artists set clear guidelines. Expect a lively, informative discussion on this hot topic!
Speakers: James Fowler, Melanie Egan, and Robyn Zolnai.
From Studio to Public Spaces — How Artists Venture into Public Art
Making the leap from studio practice to public art can feel daunting for many artists. Transitioning from small-scale works to large public installations requires mastering many layers—design, concept, production, and installation. Often, a lack of experience and access to opportunities makes this leap challenging.
However, programs like TOAF’s Art Nest and the City of Toronto’s Public Art Summer Mentorship Program are actively working to support emerging artists.
Join us for an insightful discussion with expert public art curators who will share how to craft a winning proposal and what they look for during the selection process. Hear directly from artists who took their first steps into public art through Art Nest, as they share their practical tips on everything from material selection and durability to logistics and safety.
Speakers: Katriina Campitelli and Gabrielle Johnson.
In partnership with the City of Toronto.
From Studio to Collections — How Artworks are Acquired
How does your art go from the studio to private, corporate and public collections? What do collectors look for, and how can you position your work to attract acquisitions? Art advisors and public art consultants often facilitate these opportunities, offering a deeper connection between the artist’s work and influential buyers.
Join us for an engaging conversation with experienced collectors and advisors to gain insight on what to expect in the acquisition process, how to build relationships in the art world, and how to prepare when an opportunity knocks at the door.
Speakers: Emilie Croning and Emily Laurent Henderson.
In partnership with Art Dealers Association of Canada.
From Studio to Galleries — Does Every Artist Need Representation?
Should you seek gallery representation, or is self-representation the better path? This talk tackles the age-old question that emerging, mid-career, and even established artists face. You’ll hear from self-represented artists and gallery professionals, offering two distinct yet complementary perspectives on the role of galleries in an artist’s career and managing one’s art as a creative entrepreneur. They’ll share valuable insights on how to get noticed by gallerists or do it on your own, weighing the pros and cons and key dos and don’ts.
Speakers: Celia Lees and Blake Zigrossi.
In partnership with Art Dealers Association of Canada.
From Studio to Headlines: How Artists Can Leverage PR
Discover how PR can elevate your artistic career with insights from Deanne Moser of DM Public, Canada’s leading arts and culture PR firm. This talk gives you a rare chance to learn firsthand how to craft compelling stories that captivate media attention, build a strong PR strategy, and understand the dos and don’ts of working with the press. DM Public is a cultural communications firm that inspires connections between people, ideas and places in the arts and culture space.
This session is moderated by Heather Kerrison of WildMedia Co., the driving force behind TOAF’s engaging and far-reaching social media channels.
