Toronto Arts Council and L'Original: apply to sell with the reputation of the galleries
Toronto Arts Council funds Toronto artists through grant programs reserved for residents of the city. L'Original adds a sales channel: 62% of every sale goes to the artist, with no exclusivity and logistics handled for you.
No commitment · No exclusivity
L'Original is neither affiliated with nor a partner of Toronto Arts Council. This page compares two options for artists.
- Artsy listing included
- Two physical galleries
- We pitch, you paint
What to know about Toronto Arts Council
- Municipal grants awarded by application, with a Toronto residency requirement.
- Programs follow annual cycles with fixed deadlines.
- A grant funds a project or a period of work; it does not organise the sale of the work.
A Toronto Arts Council grant pays for creation time, which no gallery does. It is cyclical, competitive and limited to Toronto residents. L'Original fills the other role: a permanent sales channel, no residency criterion, 62% of every sale for the artist, two Montréal galleries and a presence on Artsy.
Create.
We handle the rest.
2/3 of artists sell internationally from their first year.
2/3 of artists sell internationally from their first year.
Presence on Artsy
Your works listed on Artsy, the largest online art platform in the world. Your works reach active international collectors without any extra effort on your part. The world's leading platform for collectors.
They talk about us
Showing your image across a vast network of media and collectors.
Two physical anchors for a worldwide audience.
Saint-Denis Gallery
4455 Rue Saint-Denis
Saint-Paul Gallery
163 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest
Saint-Denis Gallery
4455 Rue Saint-Denis
Two structures, two functions
| Criterion | Toronto Arts Council | L'Original |
|---|---|---|
| Funding creation time | Yes, that is its purpose | No |
| Residency criterion | Toronto | None |
| Timing | Annual cycles | Applications always open |
| Sales income | Out of scope | 62% of every sale |
Get started quickly.
The steps
Submit your application
Show us what you do. The form takes only 2 minutes.
Our committee evaluates you
Your file is read carefully by our team. We reply quickly.
Your works go live and into the gallery
You join our artist community, on the web and in physical space.
Selection criteria
Straight and well-lit photos
Clean images are the first impression you leave on collectors. Take the time to frame them well.
Prices above $1 per square inch
We work with artists who value their work. A consistent price is good for you and for the whole community.
The same on your platforms and ours
Your universe must be recognizable and consistent, here as elsewhere.
Reach collectors online and in two physical galleries
- You keep 62%, set your own prices
- Listed on L'Original + Artsy
- Shown on screens in both galleries
No guaranteed sales can be promised
Exposure on professional platforms increases visibility
Sales depend on artwork quality, pricing, and consistency
Strong profiles generally perform well in 2/3 cases
Artists receive 62% of each sale
The gallery retains 38%
You don't handle logistics. We take care of all the paperwork: you simply pack your artwork, and we come to pick it up.
The price shown online includes the average shipping cost, which we add on top so collectors see an all-inclusive price.
The price you submit must be the same as on your other sales channels, and it already includes our commission.
$8/month plan includes same benefits as $22/month plan
$8/month requires a dedicated page on your personal website
Subscription is monthly or yearly
You can cancel after the billing period ends
Only original physical artworks are accepted
Prints and digital reproductions are not allowed
Artist Partnership Program
- Exposure in our online gallery via our website
- Access to a personal account on L'Original platform
- Access to Artsy, an international artist and collector platform
- Physical galleries are reserved for established artists
- Your works will be exhibited online via L'Original and Artsy
- Screen displays in galleries show online artworks to visitors
- Physical exhibition possible if online performance is strong
- Minimum price: $1 per square inch
- Artists are free to set their own prices above this threshold
- You can register as a mural artist after joining the platform
- No in-person meeting is required
- Everything can be done via messages (DMs or online communication)
- Artists apply from anywhere in the world; visiting a gallery is optional:
- 163 rue Saint-Paul (Old Port)
- 4455 rue Saint-Denis (Plateau)
- High-quality, well-lit artwork photos
- Pricing above $1 per square inch
- Consistent artistic universe across platforms
- You choose which artworks to list
- All criteria are available on the official page:
- https://www.loriginal.org/en/join-as-artist
Toronto Arts Council and L'Original
- Toronto Arts Council or L'Original: what is the difference for an artist?
- One funds the work, the other sells it. A municipal grant covers a period of creation; L'Original provides a continuous sales channel, with 62% of every sale going to the artist. L'Original is a Montréal gallery and studio representing more than 738 artists, with two physical addresses in Montréal and a presence on Artsy.
- Can a Toronto artist apply to L'Original?
- Yes, there is no residency criterion. The committee assesses the work: physical originals, quality photographs, prices starting at $1 per square inch. L'Original is neither affiliated with nor a partner of Toronto Arts Council. This page compares two options for artists.
- Does a grant help you get picked up by a gallery?
- It shows work assessed by a jury, which counts on a CV. L'Original's committee relies mainly on the work and its presentation.
- Can you hold a grant and gallery representation at the same time?
- Yes. L'Original requires neither exclusivity nor a minimum term.
Your artworks
deserve to be seen.
Join a community of artists who exhibit, sell, and grow.