What we do

The Artists’ Network is a member-led and member-driven organization dedicated to teaching business skills to visual artists since 2004.

Our members are artists, our staff are artists, and our Board of Directors are artists. Together, we decide what we do and how we do it. And we rely on our membership to direct the path we take. We depend on the membership, along with our volunteers, community partners and generous art-loving sponsors, to help make the organization run smoothly.

Our principal base is the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), although members participate from across the province. Membership is not geographically restricted; all fine artists are welcome from anywhere in Canada.

As a non-profit organization, we are primarily funded by membership fees and show participation fees. All our Board positions are volunteer; the only paid positions are our Office Manager and Show Producer.

Independent artists must are by their very very nature small business owners and entrepreneurs.

In order support the creation of their fine art, they need to know how to promote themselves and run a fiscally responsible business. Our goal is to help our members develop skills to make them self-sustaining professional artists.

How we do it

We promote the development and entrepreneurship of artists in a variety of ways.

We organize monthly educational seminars, offer networking opportunities, and provide business tools. We produce two large shows annually, and continue to develop exhibition opportunities with smaller, popup group showcases at various Toronto galleries. We work with individual artists, the community and with other arts organizations, as well as the private sector and all levels of government, to help promote our member artists.

Within our new headquarters on Queen Street East, we have a gallery space that is available for artists to contract out on a monthly basis for individual or group shows.

Our members value their ability to connect with their peers through the Artists’ Network. We have created a safe-haven community for artists to learn (everyone has to start from somewhere!) and share honest experiences (both good and bad). Artists are encouraged to share resources and information too (buy ‘n’ sell, studio space, suppliers, etc.)