Archive & Collection

For over four years, Open Studio has been working to develop a smaller, formalized print collection from its archive of approximately 10,000 prints, accumulated over more than 50 years of studio activity. This ongoing process includes reviewing works, updating records, and stewarding the collection until a permanent institutional home can be identified.

The collection holds particular significance within Open Studio’s own history and community, reflecting decades of relationships among its members and the artists who have worked here.

What is the archive and why is it being reduced in size? Click to expand

Open Studio’s archive was established in 1971 with the aim of collecting one “Open Studio Proof” (OSP) of every print produced at the studio. It includes work by notable members of the printmaking community, as well as artists who worked with Open Studio through residencies, publishing projects, and other programs.

Over five decades, the archive grew to roughly 10,000 prints. Its size, storage requirements, and limited location tracking made it increasingly difficult to manage and access. In 2018, collecting was paused while a more sustainable direction was developed to create a smaller collection with a defined scope, improved storage, and comprehensive digital documentation.

Open Studio’s long-term goal is to steward the collection, for however long that takes, until it can be transferred to a collecting institution equipped to provide appropriate storage, care, and public access.

What was the selection process? Click to expand

How was the collection established?

From March to July 2022, selection committees were formed to review prints from each decade of Open Studio’s history: the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

Each committee included artists connected to that decade, a member of the wider art community, a current emerging Open Studio artist member, and Open Studio’s Curator and Collections Manager. An Archivist facilitated the review and cataloguing process, with oversight from Open Studio’s Executive Director.

A series of video interviews was also recorded to document responses to the process and share perspectives from across Open Studio’s history.

What happens to the collection now? Click to expand

What Happens to the Collection Now?

Open Studio’s review of the collection is ongoing. Selected works continue to be digitally catalogued and records updated, as Open Studio works toward eventually transferring the collection to an institution that can safeguard it for the future.

Between 2023 and 2024, works held in the archive but not selected for the new collection began returning to artists on a rolling basis. Selected works were retained for the collection, or, where appropriate, transitioned into Open Studio’s Sales Program.

In 2025, the Board approved a further phase of review, this time focused on the collection itself. Works are now once again being reviewed, with some returning to artists whose work was previously retained in the collection, as Open Studio works to refine its scope in relation to the Toronto art diaspora across the decades, remove duplicates or excess holdings, and strengthen the collection’s overall visual and curatorial coherence.

Where appropriate, additional works are being deaccessioned into Open Studio’s print sales program to help support the studio. Artists and associated estates are being contacted regarding these changes.

Works not selected for the collection will first be offered back to the artist or their estate. In select cases, works may be transitioned into Open Studio’s Sales Program with the artist’s agreement.

Project Timeline

1971 Open Studio establishes its archive to collect one Open Studio Proof of every print produced at the studio.
1971-2004 The archive grows rapidly as Open Studio moves locations four times. Recording systems evolve, but artwork location and movement are not consistently tracked.
2018 Archival collecting is paused while Open Studio develops a sustainable approach to managing the approximately 10,000-print archive.
2019 Open Studio receives a Museums Assistance Program grant from Canadian Heritage to purchase archival storage and photographic equipment and develop a digital database framework in consultation with McKenzie Art Projects.
2020 The archive exhibition *PRESS RECORD* is presented during Open Studio’s 50th anniversary year. A Collections Care Proposal Brief is approved to establish a more focused collection scope and deaccession a large portion of the archive.
2021 Collections Management and Development and Collection Care policy frameworks are developed with McKenzie Art Projects. With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Open Studio hires a full-time Archivist to support the deaccessioning and cataloguing process.
2022 Selection committees review works from each decade of Open Studio’s history. Just over 2,500 prints are selected for the new collection, with digitization and cataloguing beginning.
2023-2024 Works not selected for the collection begin returning to artists on a rolling basis, while selected works are retained for the collection or, where appropriate, transitioned into the Sales Program.
2025 The Board approves a further phase of review, focused on refining the collection itself in relation to the Toronto art diaspora across the decades, removing extras, and strengthening its overall curatorial and visual coherence.
2026-present Open Studio continues its review of the collection, refining its scope, addressing duplicates and excess holdings, and assessing works in relation to the Toronto art diaspora across the decades.

We’re also sharing a series of video interviews exploring each era of Open Studio, along with perspectives from current artist members who took part in the selection process. Follow the collection’s highlights on Instagram: @openstudio_collection.

Introduction to Open Studio / archive project

Video – Open Studio Archive: The 1970s

Video – Open Studio Archive: The 1980s

Video – Open Studio Archive: The 1990s

Video – Open Studio Archive: The 2000s-2010s

Video – The 2020s: Back to the Archive