#FIRSTLOOK: THE MAYOR’S EVENING FOR THE ARTS AND THE (IN) BLOOM GALA

Toronto Arts Foundation is thrilled to announce the return of its signature fundraising celebration, the 2025 Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and The (In) Bloom Gala, taking place Wednesday, November 19 at The Carlu (444 Yonge Street, Toronto).

Together, these back-to-back events form Toronto’s biggest night for the arts, bringing artists, civic leaders, and cultural supporters to champion creativity and connection. Each year, the evening raises more than $1 million to support Toronto Arts Foundation programs that make the arts accessible for all Torontonians.

THE MAYOR’S EVENING FOR THE ARTS — 6:00–8:00 PM
The Mayor’s Evening for the Arts is Toronto Arts Foundation’s premier annual fundraiser, uniting artists, creative visionaries, and civic champions to celebrate the transformative role of the arts in shaping Toronto’s identity and vibrancy.

Funds raised directly support cornerstone Foundation programs such as Arts in the Parks, the Black Arts Program, and the Newcomer Artist Program, which provide mentorship, paid work, and free cultural experiences across Toronto.

Guests will enjoy live performances, moving artist stories, and a celebratory dinner alongside Mayor Olivia Chow, highlighting how the arts foster a sense of belonging, civic pride, and community well-being.

THE (IN) BLOOM GALA — 8:30 PM–LATE
When dinner ends, the celebration continues with The (In) Bloom Gala, Toronto’s biggest art party. Transforming The Carlu into an immersive world of sound and colour, the Gala brings together artists, audiences, and supporters in a joyful expression of Toronto’s creative spirit.

All proceeds from Gala tickets go directly to Toronto Arts Foundation, supporting mentorship, professional development, and free public arts programming citywide.

Tickets for the (In) Bloom Gala are on sale now at supportinbloom.ca for $150, including snacks, refreshments, and open bar. Please contact us at mail@torontoarts.org to claim accessible pricing.

This year’s Gala features an electrifying lineup of performances and installations, including:
-The Halluci Nation — The acclaimed Indigenous DJ duo blending activism and electronic innovation.
-OKAN — Afro-Cuban Grammy-nominated artists known for fusing jazz, folk, and global rhythms.
-DJ Me Time — A local favourite redefining the dancefloor with inclusivity and community-driven energy.
-Human Body Expression — Hanna Kiel’s emotionally charged contemporary dance company.
-Jihyun Back — A Korean traditional dancer bridging heritage and innovation.
-Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance — a local non-profit performing arts organization supporting racialized -LGBTQIA+ youth through Ballroom culture, mentorship, and community events.
-Miss Moço — Canada’s celebrated drag icon and host of The Drake Hotel’s legendary brunch, as evening host and MC.
-Amadeus Choir — The award-winning Canadian choral choir, and opera singer Meher Pavri performing an aria from the Mahabharata.
-Maziar Ghaderi, Vladimir Kanic, and Cathy Esther Thorne, whose immersive installations will transform The Carlu’s historic spaces.

FAST FACTS
Funds raised from the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and (In) Bloom Gala help create:

295 free arts events for all Torontonians in over 20 neighbourhood parks and spaces
245 hours of mentorship for 95 emerging artists
Free training and workshops for 223 arts workers and volunteers
$220,000 in paid contracts for young and newcomer IBPOC artists
Over $130,000 in annual recognition through financial awards for talented artists

QUOTE

“A strong arts sector fuels business, drives tourism and innovation, and contributes to our city’s prosperity and growth. Investing in the arts makes our city a better place to live.”
— Kelly Langgard, Director & CEO, Toronto Arts Foundation

ABOUT KELLY LANGGARD

Appointed Director & CEO of Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Council in January 2023, Kelly Langgard has brought more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning arts funding, policy, and cultural diplomacy. A former Director of Granting at the Ontario Arts Council and past senior leader at the Canada Council for the Arts, Langgard’s career began in the independent media arts sector, including directing Toronto’s Images Festival. Her leadership is marked by a strong commitment to equity, access, and inclusion—principles that continue to guide the Foundation’s vision for a more vibrant and connected Toronto.

A SPOTLIGHT ON TORONTO’S ARTS COMMUNITY

In a city where cultural stories compete for attention, Toronto Arts Foundation continues to take an event-driven approach to storytelling — spotlighting the moments, performances, and people that make Toronto’s arts sector impossible to ignore. Through the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts and The (In) Bloom Gala, the Foundation shines a light on the artists, leaders, and changemakers shaping Toronto’s creative future.