Creative Art Studios for Rent in Toronto, ON

Creative Art Studios Rental Guide

Ready to find a creative studio space that perfectly suits your vision? Toronto has many places available for your creative endeavours whether it’s a photo shoot, art production or workshop. Picking the one that suits your needs best can really help to make your project a success.

There are plenty of interesting creative art studios all over Toronto, ranging from blank canvas photo studios and art studios to beautifully decorated venues. Take a look at some of Toronto’s most popular types of creative spaces for rent:

• Small venues - there are many small spaces for rent scattered all over Old Toronto, including cafes, studios, event spaces, coffee shops and bars.
• Spacious studio rooms - these are creative spaces designed with flexibility in mind. From photo sets to workshops, these can serve any purpose you like, and they are pretty inexpensive, too.
• Art galleries - these types of venues can be used as a chic photo shoot set, art workshop setting, and are perfect for any creative project that could benefit from a beautiful space. You’ll find numerous examples of these between picturesque Little Italy and vibrant and lively Dupont St.
• Dance studios - these are usually open spaces designed for dance and ballet classes. However, that  doesn’t mean you cannot rent one for a different purpose - be creative about it!
• Blank canvas studios - you can set up and decorate these spaces in any way you want - the possibilities with a blank canvas space are limitless. Blank canvas spaces range from small studios to giant spaces so there’s a good chance you will find one for you.
  

If you’re looking for a creative studio space that will exactly fit your needs, Tagvenue is here to help you find the perfect space for your project easily and totally stress-free!

Things to consider when looking for creative art studio

• Venue size - make sure you have an idea how much space you’re going to need. If you’re making an art installation, or booking a dance class, there’s a chance you may need more space than you initially expected.

• Your budget - it would be best to have a specified amount you can spend before looking for a creative studio space. Our picks for creative studios in Toronto include many different price ranges, from small venues to flashy halls.

• Purpose and equipment - you should remember to note what equipment is included in the price of your rental. You can save a lot of money if you rent all the gear you need along with your creative space of choice - and many studio spaces offer these types of deals. For example, a photo studio will have different options for lighting and backgrounds. You can even rent a professional photo camera in case you don’t have one.

• Decoration and setting - spruce up the background of your photos, movies or artistic endeavours with an intriguing setting provided by some of the venues available on Tagvenue. Cosy cafes, beautiful coffee shops, or ornate halls - we’ll help you find the ideal space for your project.

How to plan for a creative workshop

Whether you’re organising an internal workshop for your company, or working on an open event, follow these steps to prepare you and your creative space for a creative workshop:

Set your goal. Creative workshops can have many different purposes, and coming up with your end goal early will be very useful to you down the road. Creative workshops work great for team-bonding, brainstorming, learning new skills, and more. Based on what you want to achieve, you should also think of people you want to work with during your workshop.

Choose your activity. There are plenty of options you can choose from when it comes to the main activity of your workshop. Depending on the group you’re working with and the goal you want to achieve, you can try art or writing exercises, photo shoots, icebreakers, collaborative tasks, and pretty much anything that could serve as a productive bonding experience for your team.

Book your creative space and equipment. Have the amount of attendees and your target goal in mind when browsing through the list of possible spaces for your workshop. With Tagvenue’s search function, you can choose the exact number of people you want your space for. Some activities may require a big, open space, and for others, a meeting room or small venue may be enough. Schedule the workshop both with your creative space and your team, and make sure everything will be in place for your workshop.

Plan the process. Write down a list of your goals, main points and activities you want to go through during the workshop. Starting with some icebreaker questions or warm-up tasks may be a good idea. Make sure that everyone will understand what they will be doing, and that they will get value from your workshop. If you want to include a presentation or visual reference, make sure to prepare it ahead of time.

FAQs about Creative Art Studios in Toronto, ON

How much does it cost to rent a creative art studio in Toronto?

For creative studio space, or a venue that can be used as one, expect to pay around $50 to $550 or more per hour. For other creative spaces that are rented by the day, particularly those with equipment or other additional amenities, expect costs around $200 to $1500 per day. (All data from Tagvenue.)

Which Toronto districts have the best creative studio spaces?

Creative spaces, studios and other suitable locations are readily available in the city. Start by searching in areas where they are most popular, particularly the downtown area. Both in the West and East End, and the Downtown Core, you will find numerous spaces for hire. There are excellent options around Chinatown and Moss Park, which have the additional benefit of being close to the Gardiner Expressway and several subway stations. To the northwest, particularly in the direction of York, there are several photo studios, small art galleries, and spacious dance studios for creative studio hire. Many of these are available in the funky and artistic areas around Dupont St and Bloor St W.

What kind of event can I organize in a creative art studio?

If you are looking to organize an event in an art studio, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are 7 types of events that you might find interesting: 

1. Art Exhibitions: Organize solo or group exhibitions that showcase visual art, allowing artists to display their work in a creative and inspiring setting. 
2. Workshops and Classes: Offer art workshops and classes for all skill levels, where participants can learn new techniques and express their creativity in a hands-on environment. 
3. Paint and Sip Nights: Host social painting events where guests can enjoy drinks and a relaxed atmosphere while creating their own artwork. 
4. Private Parties: Celebrate special occasions like birthdays or bridal showers in a unique and artistic environment that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. 
5. Photo Shoots and Film Shoots: Utilize the studio's aesthetics as a backdrop for photo shoots or film scenes, creating a visually stunning experience that adds an artistic touch to your media. 
6. Team Building Events: Arrange art-based team-building activities to promote collaboration
7. Art Markets: Organize pop-up art markets that give local artists a platform to sell their creations directly to the public, supporting the arts and promoting creativity in your community.

Using Tagvenue, you can search an extensive list of Toronto’s art studios to fit your event.

What type of equipment can I expect in a local creative art studio?

The type of equipment provided with your rental will depend on the kind of creative space you choose. A podcast studio will be equipped with studio mics and everything required to run them. Photo studios will often have professional lighting gear and either one or multiple sets of backdrops to choose from in order to create your perfect shoot. A dance studio will have mirrored walls, a sound system and a barre. A music studio may include musical instruments and sound equipment as part of the rental, or for a surcharge. Feel free to discuss your needs with the management before booking the space.

Can I find any creative art studios in the Queen Street area?

Yes, you can find many creative spaces along Queen Street,  one of Toronto’s oldest and most important roads. Most options are just a quick drive away from Union Station, making them very accessible for people from outside the city.

What are some exceptional art studios for rent in Toronto?

Looking for a unique venue to host your event? The Gallery at Jessica Gorlicky Designs in York has space for up to 130 guests; the spacious area can be tailored to your preferences so that you can host the event of your dreams. The artwork on the walls by Jessica Gorlicky, a well-known pop artist from Canada, adds an extra touch of style, and you can even remove it if desired. Plus, external catering and BYO alcohol are allowed. Prices start at C$500 per hour.

For a smaller event in Old Toronto, check out San Sheng Gallery. This venue is 750 square feet, making it ideal for pop-up shops and art shows. It can hold up to 45 people, and external catering is allowed. Prices start at C$119 per hour with a minimum booking duration of 2 hours. 

If you're in Dundas, the Media Production Studio might be just what you're looking for. Its high ceilings and open space can accommodate up to 30 people. Prices start at C$120 per hour from 7 am to 6 pm and C$140 per hour from 6 pm to 12 am. External catering and BYO alcohol are allowed. 

Finally, if you want a clean slate to work with, consider the Art Gallery and Pop-Up Shop at 2104 Dundas West. This open storefront offers two adjacent rooms, a wide open main space, and a separate rear courtyard, all of which can hold up to 80 people. Prices start at C$900 per day.