Happy Birthday to Art Metropole

"Today Art Metropole turns 50.

Since taking on the position of Executive Director earlier this year, I have been reflecting on the immense history of the organization and the many artists we have worked with over the past 50 years.

Established in 1974 by General Idea in their Yonge St. location, Art Metropole was founded as “a collection agency devoted to the documentation, archiving, and distribution of all of the images . . . taking over and diversifying the functions of reflection and connection” (FILE Editorial, 1973).

Art Met has lived through so many different locations, eras, and activities, but has always found stability in our community.

Today we remain focused on publishing, promoting, exhibiting, archiving, and distributing artists’ books, multiples, and other related media. Our non-profit shop, which has featured over 16,000 unique inventory items, is an essential service to artists – and is the oldest and longest-running artist-run bookstore in the world.  

This summer, we held an exhibition titled 50/50, which highlighted our history through 50 selected editions published by Art Metropole since 1974. This fall, we launched Reactivating the Archive, a lecture series where we're inviting artists and curators to respond to a work from our archive or collection, in a sort of expanded restaging of the 1989-1995 Activating the Archive series. In the coming year, we will be working towards new exhibitions that engage with our shop’s extensive inventory, special presentations at international art and book fairs, a new series of artists’ books with commissioned texts, and many more programs– all to support the work of artists.

I would love to see you at the upcoming 50th Anniversary Party and fundraiser, generously hosted by East Room, on November 8. Your support will allow us to continue to publish and distribute the work of artists for years to come."

–Blair Swann, Executive Director