Art Metropole

Art Metropole is a non-profit artist-run centre that publishes, promotes, exhibits, archives, and distributes artists' books, multiples, and related media. We produce exhibitions, talks, readings, and other programs that highlight artists who make books and other artworks that can be widely circulated.

Our shop at 896 College Street, Toronto, stocks artists’ books and publications on contemporary art in all formats, with over 16,000 inventory items. Established in 1974, Art Metropole operates the oldest and longest-running artist-run bookstore in the world. We also distribute works through our online shop, and at art book fairs, pop-ups, and satellite locations internationally.

Art Metropole was founded in 1974 by the artist collective General Idea, as a division of Art-Official Inc. (est. 1972). Art-Official’s founding mission was to facilitate and document collaboration and exchange of ideas between artists, and served as the non-profit publisher of General Idea’s File Megazine (1972–1989). Art Metropole was conceived as a related artist-run centre and collection agency devoted to the documentation, archiving and distribution of all the images.

Art Metropole collection's is composed of two parts. The early collection and archive features over 13,000 items, including pieces of correspondence, artists’ books, multiples, videos, exhibition invitations and ephemera. These items are held in a special collection at the National Gallery of Canada's Library & Archives – a transfer made with thanks to the kind support of Jay A. Smith in 1999. The second portion of Art Metropole’s collection and archive, developed largely since that period, is held on premises at our College Street location, and is made available through special exhibitions and institutional loans.

A chronology of Art Metropole Events and Programs can also be found here. Items digitized from our Archive can be seen on our website here.

Art-Official Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of the province of Ontario and a registered charitable organization.

Accessibility Information

Visiting Art Metropole:

The entry to our store is wheelchair accessible via ramp. Service animals are welcome. Weather permitting, our events are occasionally hosted in the alley behind our building, which can be reached by ascending a three step staircase from within Art Metropole, or entering the alley from the side of our block off of Delaware Ave, around a one minute walk from the front door. Visitors are invited to use our all gender washroom, which can be reached via one 7-inch step. Our washroom is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible at this time. Please reach out to shop@artmetropole.com if you have an accessibility request or question. We strive to create an environment which is barrier free.

We kindly ask that visitors stay home if they are feeling sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days. Masks are available for free at the entrance to our store.

Travelling to Art Metropole:

The closest wheelchair accessible subway station is Ossington Station. Further information regarding accessible public transit is available here.