Artist Material Fund 2026 at Industrial Arts
Access free recycled/reclaimed materials, participate in community workshops, and help reshape sustainable arts practices.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- deadline unknown, verify at source
- Entry fee
- Free
- Location
- Industrial Arts, 7441 Victoria Park Ave, Unit 8, Markham
- Exhibition window
- Sep 11, 2026 → Dec 5, 2026
About
Overview
The Artist Material Fund (AMF) is opening at Industrial Arts in Markham to create a public hub where artists, educators, makers, and community members can access creative materials at no cost, join workshops, and help shape a more sustainable future for the arts. Presented by the Art Gallery of Burlington in partnership with Steelcase Art Projects and the City of Markham Public Art Program, the AMF rethinks what happens to materials left over from exhibitions, productions, and installations by redistributing them free of charge instead of sending them to landfill.
Regular Public Access
- Second and Last Fridays of the Month, 10am–4pm
- September 11 & 25
- October 9 & 30
- November 13 & 27
- December 4 (Final Open Access Day)
Artist-Led Workshops
On select Saturdays, the AMF combines free material pick-up with artist-led workshops. The depot is open 10am–3pm for browsing and collecting materials, while featured artists lead hands-on sessions from 1–3pm (space limited, registration required).
October 31, 2026: Portrait Photography Workshop
Join photographer Anthony Gebrehiwot for a hands-on workshop exploring how reclaimed materials can be transformed into compelling photographic sets and visual stories. Participants will experiment with creative lighting, staging, composition, and resourceful approaches to portrait-making, with a model and stylist on hand. AMF Open House 10am–3pm; Workshop 1–3pm (registration required).
November 28, 2026: Weaving Workshop
Artist and eco-culture communicator Norwin Anne leads a workshop exploring weaving with reclaimed and discarded materials. Drawing from slow fashion practice and the initiative From Here to Wear, participants will transform surplus textiles and unconventional materials into woven forms while learning about textile waste, circular design, and creative reuse. AMF Open House 10am–3pm; Workshop 1–3pm (registration required).
December 5, 2026: Everything Must Go!
The AMF wraps up its inaugural season with its biggest public redistribution event. Everything remaining in the depot is free. Artists, schools, community groups, makers, educators, and visitors are encouraged to bring a vehicle, gather materials, and help achieve an empty room. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy demonstrations and giveaways. Open House 10am–3pm.
Location & Contact
- Artist Material Fund @ Industrial Arts, 7441 Victoria Park Ave, Unit 8, Markham
- AMF entrance at the garage door at the back of the building
- For updates, workshop registration, material donation information, and inventory: visit the Art Gallery of Burlington website or follow @artistmaterialfund, @artgallburl, @steelcaseartprojects, @industrialartsmarkham
Admission
Free to all Open Access Days and public events.
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- A public depot and community hub for redistributing reclaimed and surplus materials from exhibitions and creative projects, promoting sustainable arts practices and circular thinking in the creative community.
- Eligibility
- Open to all—artists, educators, students, community organizations, home renovators, and makers.
- Audience
- Open to artists, educators, students, community organizations, makers, and the general public.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.