Artspace is a student-led art gallery, career incubator and online platform. Every year, the gallery mounts 8 - 10 exhibitions of student and alumni work, alongside a diversity of public events, programs, talks and screenings. All of the gallery’s programming is designed to generate meaningful networking, mentorship and career development opportunities for TMU students. More than just a gallery, Artspace is a hub of experiential learning, professional networking, critical exchange and innovation.
Artspace operates from an urgent sense of the potential of art and design to unpack complex issues like racism and colonialism that are deeply embedded in our educational institutions and creative industries. Artspace prioritizes the needs of marginalized students by supporting their creative work, community building and experiential learning. Artspace prides itself on being run by and for the students that might not see themselves reflected in the everyday curriculum at TMU. By prioritizing these perspectives, we benefit ALL of the university’s communities.
Artspace would like to acknowledge that the land on which the gallery rests is the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Métis, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.
Operating out of 401 Richmond, one of the most important creative and cultural buildings in Toronto, the gallery’s off-campus location is essential for allowing students to connect with a wide range of creative professionals and organizations. Our location also gives us access to a dedicated stream of visitors, extending the gallery’s audience beyond the university, into the wider art and design community.
Location has always been key to the gallery’s success. From 1990 - 2012, the gallery was located in the 80 Spadina building, alongside other galleries, studios and photo labs. Between 2012 and 2018, the gallery ran out of the Gladstone Hotel in the heart of the Art and Design district on Queen Street West. In 2018, it moved to its current location at 401 Richmond.
The gallery first opened in 1990 under the directorship of Don Snyder. Over nearly 35 years of operation, the gallery has given countless emerging photographers, artists and curators their first opportunities to organize shows, exhibit work and develop skills. By employing a full staff of 5 students every year, Artspace has also provided invaluable training to generations of arts workers who have gone on to galleries, museums and institutions across the country and the world. Our staff alumni include people like Stephen Bulger, of the Stephen Bulger Gallery, Robyn McCallum, lead curator of the TD Bank art collection, Vanessa Runions, lead curator of the Scotiabank art collection, Judy Ditner, curator at the Yale University Gallery and so many more.

Artspace’s inaugural show at 401 Richmond, including work by Zinnia Naqvi, Sam Cotter, Wynne Neilly, Ethan Murphy, Curtiss Randolph

Founding faculty Don Snyder (right) and the late Albert White at the opening of the Ryerson Gallery on November 30, 1990.

Accessibility

401 Richmond Street West is a wheelchair-accessible building equipped with an elevator to each level of the building. There are two wheelchair-accessible entranceways: the first is located at the front entrance near the Dark Horse Café (just east of Spadina Avenue); the second entrance (WITH RAMP ACCESS + AUTOMATIC DOORS) is at the north-east corner of the building, near the Spacing and Swipe retail shops (just west of the corner of Richmond and Peter Streets).

Artspace TMU is located in the lower level of 401 Richmond and can be reached by either entrance. If entering from the main entrance (by Dark Horse Espresso Bar) Artspace is located at the bottom of the main staircase.

Wheelchair accessible routes to the gallery include entering through the main entrance and taking the elevator down to the lower level and turning left to find the gallery.

If entering from the second entrance (west of Spadina and Peter) please take the ramp down past the Dark Horse Espresso Bar, turn right down the long hall (past the elevators) until you reach the gallery.

Wheelchair accessible, gender-neutral washrooms are available on all floors of 401 Richmond.