Lively, young and hip
T
he art scene in Toronto is lively, young and hip. Art galleries were built around the famed Toronto School of Art in the 1970s. A burgeoning strip of galleries followed on Queen Street West. Today, the art scene is vibrant all over the city with over 200 art venues and museums. Here are the top places to hit.
A guide to the Toronto art scene Although Toronto is not the capital of Canada (that’s Ottawa), it certainly is the biggest metropolis as a city with 6 million people, loads of pigeons, and condos which multiply as soon as you turn your back. Facing Lake Ontario and just a five-hour drive from Detroit, Toronto is best known as the “city of neighborhoods,” as it has 240 different districts. This is great for foodies—Little Italy, Little India and Chinatown have the grub. Also not to miss is the east end of Cabbagetown and the bustling Annex along Bloor Street, which has the Bloor Cinema. by Nadja Sayej Photos: iStockphoto.com
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WOW Power to the people
TIFF LIGHTBOX This is the official exhibition space for the annual Toronto International Film Festival, which descends upon the city every September. During the rest of the year, this cultural hotspot on King Street is a must-see hotspot for cinephiles, as the TIFF Lightbox also features year-round exhibitions themed around cinema, as well as screenings in comfy seats, a bar and a restaurant. www.tiff.net
ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, this sprawling museum is a city landmark. Stop by to see the latest exhibition in contemporary art or browse the Canadian art collection, which features paintings by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr and recent works by David Altmejd. www.ago.net
