A list of studio spaces in Toronto

While affordable venue and rental spaces seem to be disapearing by the day, there are some great art collectives that offer lower cost studio space. We encourage you to also think of studio space beyond the obvious potential it offers to visual artists. Studio space can be used for an exhibition, performamce, live reading, workshop, musical or dance performance, and so much more!

All Ours Studios

All Ours Studios is a new shared creative production space located at 62 Geary Avenue. The warehouse has been divided to facilitate 9 private art studios, each 10ft x 11ft with 13ft ceilings, a kitchenette, clean-up area, new HVAC system and a gallery front. The gallery space is available to studio members for documentation, client meetings or extra floor space. Private rentals are also available for short term exhibitions, workshops or small events.

The site also features a large lot which hosts eight shipping containers, retrofitted for studios as well. They are 8ft wide by 20ft deep, fully insulated to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and have a large glass facade for plenty of natural light. Within the yard there are several garden spaces, a mural courtyard, spray-booth and woodshop shed available to studio members with communal tools and materials.

Indoor studios are $430 monthly and container studios are $650 monthly, both inclusive of tax, internet and utilities.

Artscape

Developing and managing secure, sustainable spaces for artists and cultural organizations has been at the core of Artscape’s work since 1986. They offer various spaces across the city that enable artists to live, work and thrive in Toronto. They offer below-market rates on commercial studios, live/work studios and owned condo units. 

Art Starts

Art Starts HQ has an open studio that contains various types of equipment to assist in your artistic practice such as a pottery kiln, sewing machines, music equipment, etc. To find out more information or book the space please contact Jennifer DiMaria, Director of Operations at jennifer@artstartsto.com.

Need something less formal? Art Starts offers free use of their studio space every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m at a drop-in basis. You are encouraged to bring your own materials.

Akin Collective

Akin Collective is a Toronto-based arts organization that provides affordable studio space as well as arts-based programming through it's sister non-profit organization, Akin Projects. Their studios provide a working environment that maintain a friendly and inspiring atmosphere where people can work on creative endeavors and entrepreneurial undertakings of all kinds. 

The Attic Studio

Corpus - Studio rental
Beautiful rehearsal and workshop studio near Ossington subway station. 1600 square meters, 13 ft high ceiling. Price range from $25/hr (rehearsal) to $35/hr (classes – workshops). For more information about rental space, email studio@corpus.ca or visit their website https://www.corpus.ca/studio-rental/

Flick the Switch

Flick the Switch is an artists’ collective of 40 artists in two buildings. Are you a painter looking for a private (or shared) studio to make your visual art? Would you like to be part of an artists’ community? There are 30 talented artists in the Grange building that offer a beautiful courtyard, an artists’ garden, historical site, paint sink, kitchens, washrooms with 24/7 access and wifi. Collaborations, potlucks, open houses and marketing activities all welcome. 

SKETCH

SKETCH is a community arts enterprise engaging diverse young people, ages 16-29, from across Canada, who live homeless or on the margins and navigate poverty to experience the transformative power of the arts, build leadership and self-sufficiency in the arts, and cultivate social and environmental change through the arts. SKETCH offers use of their fully outfitted recording studio, dance/performance space, commercial kitchen and event space at a low cost.

Facilities available for rent include a ceramics studio with 4 pottery wheels and a kiln, dance studio, industrial kitchen, multi-use project studio and event space, music rehearsal and production space, recording studio and post production gear, and a cozy multi-purpose studio. 

For photos and more information about how to access our unique studio space, check out https://www.sketch.ca/rent/ or email spaceshare@sketch.ca to request a tour.

Space Space Revolution (The Attic Studio)

This unique Leslieville space from the 1800’s has been everything from a church to a hair salon. (If these walls could talk!) Now, it’s the perfect rentable Toronto space for your creation. The Attic can be used for auditions, classes, film-shoots, rehearsals, workshops, meetings, photo-shoots, events and more. Hire one of our skilled technicians to turn on the theatrical lighting and it’s a unique performance space that your audience will love. Pricing starts at $25/hour.

Tarragon Theatre

Tarragon Theatre is Canada’s home for groundbreaking contemporary plays. They offer 3 studios spaces for rent; each studio is suitable for rehearsals, classes, auditions, workshops or play readings. Please note only the Workspace is available for performances. 

Workspace 8

Located in the vibrant 401 Richmond West cultural hub, Workspace 8 is an inclusive creative co-working space and art studio for self-identifying women artists, creative entrepreneurs, social innovators and creators. They provide affordable dedicated work spaces in a beautiful shared studio for creative co-working (digital / painting / art / making / creating). Activities and programming include: collaborative creative projects, group discussions and member support, skills sharing and skills building workshops, creative arts workshops and community events.

TheHub

TheHub is a two-storey industrial building located in Cabbagetown (downtown Toronto) at 208 Gerrard Street East. With approximately 3,000 square feet on each floor, the building boasts exposed brick walls on the exterior walls, exposed ceilings and ducting, as well as concrete floors on the first floor and hardwood floors on much of the second floor.

TheHub houses 11 self-contained, locking units. The three units on the first floor have direct access to a 10 foot street level loading door. Many of the eight units on the second floor have windows providing tons of natural light. The second floor also has a common area kitchenette and two washrooms with double sinks.

Now, this is NOT a live/work or makerspace with shared tools and supplies. TheHub is a private coworking environment where each person/team has their own locking unit in which to conduct their business. Being a building full of creative entrepreneurs there are undoubtedly many opportunities for collaboration!

This is the perfect space for creative entrepreneurs, artists, and makers of all kinds! Especially those looking to make a little bit of noise or mess! Plus, the rent includes all utilities - including wifi.

Dance Together Project

Dance Together Project has a bright and airy studio in the Junction is located at 10 Heintzman Street. The space is perfect for rehearsals, one-on-one classes, small group classes, meetings and workshops. It is available for rent to local dance, fitness, movement and/or theatre artists looking for studio space. You may also rent studios to film an audition tape or stream online fitness or yoga class.

STUDIO SPACE DETAILS:

• 400 sq ft
• wooden floor
• 10 ft ceilings
• washrooms
• separate change room
• large window with up/down blinds
• heat and a/c
• yoga mats
• storage space (for repeat and ongoing rentals only)

This posting was updated in 2022. Have a space to add to the list? Email ines@torontoarts.org to add another listing!