Top 7 Things to Do in Toronto for Creatives
Toronto has always been known as a major destination for creatives, ranging from enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. It’s no wonder that many artists and musicians consider it a hub for creativity, as it’s been named a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts on account of its thriving video game industry and numerous collaborative spaces for artists across all disciplines. If you’re visiting Toronto looking for inspiration or planning to make it your lifetime home as a creative professional, then there are plenty of things to do for artists like yourself. Here’s a list to help you get started.
1. Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario
It would be a waste to visit Toronto without exploring the displays at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Painters and writers would appreciate looking at the museum’s extensive collection of European art done by the old masters, from Rembrandt to Van Dyck. For admirers of Canadian indigenous art, the gallery houses artifacts of the Métis and inuit peoples.
2. Stroll Along Graffiti Alley
mark.watmough from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Toronto’s urbanscape is also known to be a major attraction for fans of street art, many of whom flock to Graffiti Alley. Located near Queen Street West, the area is known for expressive graffiti pieces stretching well over a kilometer, making it a favorite spot for street photographers and muralists looking for inspiration for their next piece.
3. Go Thrift Shopping at Kensington Market
Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bohemian lifestyles are alive and thriving in Kensington Market, which features shops that cater to a wide array of artistic styles. The place is known to be a favorite among vinyl collectors, as well as its collection of thrift stores and hip cafes. If you want to live the indie lifestyle in Toronto, then Kensington Market deserves a spot in your weekend to-do list.
4. Watch a Movie at TIFF Bell Lightbox
If you’re more of a film enthusiast, you can bet that Toronto has something special in store for you, specifically in the form of TIFF Bell Lightbox. As the headquarters of the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s well-known for screening an eclectic collection of films, ranging from obscure foreign documentaries to avant garde titles from the 80s to 90s.
5. Tour the OCAD University Campus
credit Doors Open Ontario
Canadians take higher education seriously, so much so that the government allows families to open up registered educational savings plans through CST Spark and other platforms. Sure enough, even creatives are provided opportunities to undergo formal quality training in their craft. The most well-known of these institutions is the Ontario College of Art and Design University. Consider booking an in-person tour of the campus and find out whether getting a degree in experimental animation or illustration.
6. Listen to Classical Tunes at the Music Garden
H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For musicians, a tour of Toronto must include the uniquely-designed Toronto Music Garden. With its waterfront layout shaped into Bach’s First Suite of Unaccompanied Cello, it has served as a venue for outdoor concerts as well as family picnics and dates. Blending together nature and music, the garden serves as a peaceful enclave perfect for creative reflection.
7. Visit 401 Richmond
EWilson (Volunteer), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
This classic piece of architecture has been a witness of Toronto's evolution. Once a tin factory, the building has been repurposed into a creative space. Here, you will find over 17 galleries and dozens of artists’ studios that make up a majority of its tenants. For creatives wanting to take their practice in Toronto, renting out a space in 401 Richmond would be a great option.
Endnote
Whether you're visiting Toronto as a tourist or as a serious artist, you should make the most of your experience there. Consider these ideas as you go on a creative excursion to that city anytime soon.
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