The OntarioSociety of Artists was founded in 1872. It is Canada's oldest continuously operating art society. The establishment of a provincial art museum and art school were the two foremost objectives of the Society. The list of objectives drawn up by the founding executive also included the fostering of Original Art in the province and the holding of Annual Exhibitions. Prominent businessman William Holmes Howland was invited to be President of the Society.
Art gallery
It was not until 1900 that the Society was in a position to form an art museum. It began under the name Art Museum of Toronto and is now the Art Gallery of Ontario. The Museum began using the Toronto Public Library on College Street to exhibit its collection. It did so from 1910 until 1920. The Society's annual exhibitions held during this period were also held at the library. The Society, in 1920, began holding its annual shows in the new Art Gallery of Toronto.
Art school
The Society was concerned about the lack of art education in Ontario. The Mechanics Institute provided basic classes in technical subjects but art instruction was limited to private lessons in the homes or studios of established artists. The Society obtained a grant of $1,000.00 in 1876. The grant allowed renovation of leased premises at 14 King Street West to create art school classrooms with the balance used as gallery space. The modest classrooms opened the Ontario School of Art on October 30, 1876. The enrollment was 25 students. Although the school continued to flourish, its financial situation was uncertain because the Society could not secure long-term funding from the government. In 1883, a new arrangement between the Society and the government resulted in the school moving to Normal School Building in St. James Square, now the location of Ryerson University. By 1884, relations between the Society and the government collapsed. The Society's vice president and Royal Canadian Academy president, Lucius Richard O'Brien, resigned. His exasperation appears in his letter of resignation: The Society ceased involvement with the school until 1890. The efforts of the Society ultimately succeeded, with the development of what is now OCAD University.
Fostering art
The OSA, from its earliest times, organized public events to showcase Ontario artists and provide a forum for emerging artists. Members of the Society have had mentorship programs for artists at various times. The OSA has biennial Emerging Artist Exhibitions and annual Open Juried Exhibitions, both of which are designed to support and inspire art and artists across Ontario.
Art exhibitions
The first exhibition was held at Fraser's Gallery, Toronto, in April 1873. The Society continues to hold annual and special events. The OSA has an annual Members' Exhibition of Selected Works which showcases art from members who choose to participate. The list of galleries used extensively by the OSA includes The John B. Aird Gallery, The Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills and the Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery. As of 2019, the OSA is also showing their exhibitions online in galleries on their website.
Members
Original membership included persons from a variety of visual art professions. Many of Ontario's foremost artists have belonged to the OSA. Early member records and artifacts of the Society are held by the Province of Ontario Archives. The Society's current membership exceeds 200 artists. Some members of the OSA include:
