The Magenta Foundation is a trailblazing charitable arts-publishing house that consistently showcases the work of talented artists on a global scale, drawing attention to under-represented and emerging artists with powerful exhibitions and a roster of impressive international publications.
Our unique arts programs for emerging artists and high school students allows us to foster the future talent in Canada coast to coast. Creating this empowerment allows young people to elevate their abilities for a future in the arts as cultural producers within and beyond their communities. By focusing on the early output of future practitioners, Magenta is committed to cultivating the next generation of artists through producing and exhibiting work that will potentially inform a lifelong practice.
Magenta has continued to evolve by finding new and innovative ways to connect artists to the global arts world through digital technologies. Our work is guided by four strategic pillars: Exhibitions & Events, Learning & Outreach, Print & Digital Publications, and Community & Partnerships.
Under the Magenta umbrella, there is something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.
Magenta is a Charitable Organization. Our Charitable Business Number is: 852661230 RR 0001
15 Years of Success
- 15 years of active support for photography, mixed media and painting
- 100 books of photography and arts published
- 22 artist monographs published
- 137 exhibitions have been mounted, nationally and intertnationally
- 6,500+ students benefitted from the support of educators through our Incubator Program
- 4,500+ artist careers launched via individualized mentorship, presentation and publication opportunities
- $150,000 in scholarships and bursaries obtained by participants in our programs
- $120,000 in direct awards by Magenta to our winners
- 8 Canadian cities have benefitted from Magenta projects: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, St. John’s, Cape Dorset, Grande Prairie, Edmonton
- 6 US cities have benefitted from Magenta projects: Boston, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Los Angeles
- 6 international cities have benefitted from Magenta projects: Shanghai, London, Madrid, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Mexico City
Proud to Support Emerging Artists in Ontario Since 2004
- Over the past decade 1,500 Ontario youth have received individualized mentorships and scholarships to continue their education through our groundbreaking Incubator program.
- Magenta has showcased the works of thousands of Ontario artists through its publications, such as Carte Blanche Vol 1 & 2, Magenta Magazine, Flash Forward, as well as numerous monographs; such as Phantom Shanghai, The Dead, Unperson and others
- Through our exhibitions and programs, Magenta has partnered with dozens of arts organizations and schools in Ontario including the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Etobicoke School of the Arts, OCADU, Toronto Metropolitan University and commercial galleries such as Clint Roenisch Gallery, MOCA, Division Gallery, Stephen Bulger, and others.
- With our book fair Edition Toronto, we have welcomed hundreds of Ontario artists who are given the opportunity to showcase their book, ephemera and editioned prints.
- To ensure equitable representation in the Ontario arts sector, Magenta has partnered with many diverse community arts organizations to elevate the art and history of underserved communities through exhibitions, publications, programs, and mentorship.
Our work is guided by four strategic pillars
Exhibitions & Events
2016 to present
⁄ edition Toronto Art Book Fair
editiontoronto.com⁄edition Art Book Fair is produced annually in tandem with Art Toronto (Canada’s International Art Fair), and is dedicated to the promotion of art book publishing in all forms and artworks created in editions.
⁄edition Art Book Fair champions forward-thinking projects by artists, publishers, galleries, and organizations who share a similar mission to advance and strengthen Canadian and International art book initiatives. Vendors at ⁄edition represent a diverse cross-section of mediums and interests, as well as a wide range of locales spanning Ontario, Canada, and Internationally.
2013 to present
Magenta POP
magentafoundation.org/popupsMagenta POP strives to move photography from inside traditional exhibition spaces toward less formal, and more accessible, outdoor public spaces through unexpected pop-up art installations.
2010 to 2016
Flash Forward Festival
flashforwardfestival.comSet within the Boston cityscape, Flash Forward Festival festival celebrated New England and international photography. Programming included talks, nightly events, indoor exhibitions throughout Boston, and outdoor exhibitions.
Learning & Outreach
2004 to present
Flash Forward Competition for Emerging Artists
magentafoundation.org/flash-forwardTo date, the Flash Forward competition has successfully awarded over $150,000 in cash awards, launched over 1,500 artists from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, and is one of the best platforms for emerging photographers.
As the competition evolves to support more emerging artists, a new online platform, along with the cash awards and a publication, will give all Flash Forward artists, past and present, a larger audience.
2014 to present
Flash Forward Incubator Program
magentafoundation.org/flash-forward-incubatorThe Flash Forward Incubator Program provides a solution to secondary school and community art programming problems: a lack or shortage of funding for arts education and no access to working arts professionals as mentors.
As an extension of high school arts programming and working with the goals of the Ontario Secondary School Curriculum, Flash Forward Incubator is distinct in that it bridges work completed
within high school settings with the professional world, facilitating meaningful contemporary art experiences and mentorships for students, and establishing an essential and supportive creative community for students.
To date, the silent auction has raised over $80,000 for the participating high schools, making essential materials such as cameras, paper, ink, printers and paper available to more students.
Print & Digital Publications
2004 to present
Printed Books
magentafoundation.org/publicationsMagenta prides itself on the forward thinking and high quality of the books the foundation is well known for. The scope of our work—featuring both photography and painting—includes emerging photographers, mid-career artist monographs and Indigenous artists. Magenta believes that books are integral to enriching the lives of our global audience.
In the fall of 2018, Magenta will add two new publishing departments: children’s books and Indigenous publishing.
2009 to 2017
Magenta Magazine
magentafoundation.org/magazineThis online digital arts platform covers the arts in all forms with thought-provoking reviews, galleries and commentary.
2017 to present
⁄ edition Editions
editioneditions.com⁄edition Editions is a year-round extension of ⁄edition Toronto art book fair. Those who missed the fair have an opportunity to see and purchase one-of-a-kind artist books and small objects.
Community & Partnerships
Magenta’s true success lies in its flexibility to work alongside communities everywhere, maintaining long-standing partnerships with those who help us build a stronger arts community.
Long-term Flash Forward sponsors include: TD Bank Group, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, The Globe and Mail, Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto Image Works, Andora Graphics, Flash Reproductions, Dorset Fine Arts.
