Bringing new life to the industrial Sterling Road, MOCA—formerly MOCCA—takes over five floors of the old Tower Automotive Building with forward-thinking pieces of art from artists worldwide. The first floor is always free, but there’s more than 55,000 square-feet of borrowed and commissioned art to explore.

This charitable organization has acted as one of Canada’s foremost public contemporary art galleries since its official inception in 1987. It’s non-collecting, meaning there’s no permanent collection here, and the walls of this old powerhouse at the Harbourfront Centre showcase both local and global artists while running an annual Commissioning Program.

This longtime community gallery has seen a transient life, having moved from the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre to exhibiting at venues like Honest Ed’s, city streets and the Jack Layton Ferry Docks. Its had a permanent home at Artscape Youngplace since 2013, where it runs a year-round program for Canadian artists.

Established by and run by artists since 1979, this non-profit is dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions. If you’re looking for installations that push the boundaries, this 1,800-square-foot gallery right by Lansdowne station is a breeding ground for some of the most interesting artists in the country.

Sprung forth from the Internet as Show and Tell Gallery in 2007, this gallery has come a long way since its Kensington Market, then Dundas West days. Now in Bloorcourt, this hands-on, minimalist space plays host to creative works and performances from solo exhibitionists.

Sitting in an old mattress factory in Roncesvalles Village, this gallery’s huge exhibition area can fit any kind or size of installation, making it prime real estate for some exciting works. You’ll find group exhibitions and solo installations of photography and sculptures.

Not far from Sterling Road is this warehouse-style space, which has hosted work by some of the biggest names in Canadian art. The artist roster includes some reputable local and international names creating forward-thinking work.