About Us / Á propos de nous

CORE PROGRAM

Showcasing exceptional projects by Canadian and international photographers and lens-based artists, the Festival’s Core Program critically and creatively frames the social, cultural, and political events of our times. Exhibitions produced in collaboration with major museums, leading galleries, and artist-run centres are presented throughout Greater Toronto alongside a slate of commissioned, site-specific Outdoor Installations that activate the city in unique ways. 

PROGRAMME PRINCIPAL

Mettant de l’avant des projets exceptionnels de photographes et d’artistes de la photographie canadiens et internationaux, le programme principal du Festival encadre de manière critique et créative les événements sociaux, culturels et politiques de notre époque. Des expositions produites en collaboration avec de grands musées, des galeries de premier plan et des centres d’artistes autogérés sont présentées dans tout le Grand Toronto, parallèlement à une série d’installations extérieures commanditées et propres à chaque site qui dynamisent la ville de manière unique.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Including photobook initiatives, lectures, artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, and more, the Festival’s Public Programs are online and in-person events complementing the Core Program. They generate critical dialogue and educational opportunities around contemporary photographic practices and photography’s many applications and effects. Programs are developed and presented in collaboration with CONTACT’s partner organizations.

PROGRAMMES PUBLICS

Englobant des initiatives de livres photos, des conférences, des entretiens avec des artistes, des discussions en groupe, des ateliers, etc., les programmes publics du Festival sont des événements en ligne et en personne qui complètent le programme principal. Ils suscitent un dialogue critique et des occasions de formation portant sur les pratiques photographiques contemporaines et les nombreuses applications et effets de la photographie. Les programmes sont élaborés et présentés en collaboration avec les organismes partenaires de CONTACT.

OPEN CALL EXHIBITIONS

Spotlighting submissions of work by emerging to experienced photographers, the Festival’s Open Call Exhibitions embody a broad range of lens-based practices, and bring together the photographic community with innovative presentations at galleries and alternative spaces across the city.

Collectively, these foundational components of the Festival generate a vast, immersive experience of photography for communities across Toronto, Canada, and internationally. All of the Festival’s exhibitions and programs are free of charge and open to the public (with some exceptions at major museums). CONTACT endeavours to make the Festival inclusive and accessible to all, however, due to the community-generated nature of some elements of the Festival, not all venues are able to accommodate specific accessibility needs. Contact us or specific venues for any enquiries.

EXPOSITIONS SUR APPEL OUVERT

Mettant en lumière les travaux de photographes émergents ou expérimentés, les expositions sur appel ouvert du Festival embrassent un large éventail de pratiques photographiques, et rassemblent les photographes grâce à des présentations innovantes dans les galeries et autres espaces urbains.

Collectivement, ces éléments fondateurs du Festival génèrent une vaste expérience immersive de la photographie pour les communautés de Toronto, du Canada et du monde entier. Toutes les expositions et tous les programmes du Festival sont gratuits et ouverts au public (à quelques exceptions près dans les grands musées). CONTACT s’efforce de rendre le Festival inclusif et accessible à tous. Cependant, en raison de la nature communautaire de certains volets du Festival, tous les sites ne sont pas en mesure de répondre à des besoins d’accessibilité particuliers. Si vous avez des questions, communiquez avec nous ou avec les sites concernés.

CONTACT Gallery

CONTACT’s headquarters is a community hub promoting critical photographic enquiry and appreciation. Festival and off-season programming in the Gallery includes curated exhibitions featuring work by leading Canadian and international contemporary and historical photographers; public programs examining timely and innovative photographic topics; and a new reading room, which features a curated selection of photobooks by artists from across the globe, available to the public for onsite viewing.

Past Gallery exhibitions and programs have featured internationally renowned artists, such as Carrie Mae Weems (2019), Felicity Hammond (2018), Brendan George Ko (2018), Petra Collins (2017), Ana Mendieta (2016), Gregory Crewdson (2011), Harun Farocki (2010) among many more.

The gallery is currently closed for the summer.

See “Make CONTACT” section for more info on how to find us.

CONTACT Gallery

80 Spadina Ave, Suite 205
Toronto, ON, Canada M5V2J4
[email protected]

416 539 9595

The gallery is wheelchair accessible at street level via the Spadina Ave entrance, and then by taking the elevator to the 2nd floor.

CONTACT is an open forum for the promotion and discussion of photography, and thus some exhibitions or materials may be offensive, upsetting, or disturbing to some members of the public. CONTACT is not responsible for the specific content or subject matter of any work displayed or advertised.

Bow Bridge Communications, LLC
240 West 102nd St, Suite 53, New York, NY 10025
in[email protected]
bow-bridge.com

Libby Mark, New York
917 968 5567

Heather Meltzer, Toronto
647 544 8441

Download the CONTACT logo here.

Toronto Life: Here’s what a $1.25-billion urban regeneration project looks like, by Swidda Rassy, June 7, 2022

CBC Q with Thom Power: Photographer Tyler Mitchell is on a mission to show Black folks in moments of joy, airdate May 26, 2022

The Globe and Mail: In OG Punk, photographer Dina Goldstein documents the untamable spirit of middle-aged Vancouver punks, by Brad Wheeler, May 23, 2022

Toronto Star: Five photography exhibits you won’t want to miss this summer, by Sue Carter, May 20, 2022

AGO Insider: On photography and jazz, May 18, 2022

Toronto Star: Vancouver photographer wins $50K Scotiabank award, May 16, 2022

Toronto Star: With his first Canadian show, Black photographer Tyler Mitchell closes a gap, by Sue Carter, May 16, 2022

The Globe and Mail: Two photographers turn their lenses on Black culture and identity, by Solana Cain, May 12, 2022

Vogue Photo: Photo Festival Season Kicks Off! Here’s What to Visit in the Summer, May 4, 2022

Sharp Magazine: A Sneak Peek at This Year’s Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, by Mira Miller, April 26, 2022

ArtToronto.ca: Alberto Giuliani – Surviving Humanity at CONTACT, by Andrew Colebeck

ArtToronto.ca: Fiona Freemark at Dianna Witte Gallery, by Georgia Gardner

ArtToronto.ca: Brendan George Ko at CONTACT, by Hugh Alcock

ArtToronto.ca: CARLOS & JASON SANCHEZ at Christopher Cutts Gallery

ArtToronto.ca: Jorian Charlton, Kadine Lindsay: fi di gyal dem at CONTACT

Hyperallergic: Toronto’s Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival Launches 26th Edition

British Journal of Photography: Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival returns to Toronto for its 26th edition, by Joanna Cresswell

INSTALLATION PROJECT MANAGER
Bahar Kamali

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Darcy Killeen

EXHIBITIONS COORDINATOR & RESEARCH
sol Legault

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Carmina Miana

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tara Smith

FESTIVAL MANAGER
Brian St. Denis

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DESIGN
Small
Bartosz Gawdzik & Andrew Di Rosa
smallprojectstudio.com

WEBSITE
Yarek Waszul

COPY EDITING & WRITING
Shannon Anderson

COMMUNICATIONS & PR
Bow Bridge Communications LLC
bow-bridge.com

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Edward Burtynsky
Sarah Dinnick, Chair
Erin Iles
Olga Korper
David Lavin
Sally Lee
Elizabeth Levitt
Felicia Mings
Maia-Mari Sutnik
Drew Thompson

ADVISORY BOARD
Stephen Bulger
William Ewing
Sarah Milroy
Kenneth Montague
Penny Rubinoff
Lisa Steele

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Bonnie Rubenstein

FOUNDERS
Darren Alexander
Linda Book
Stephen Bulger
Judith Tatar