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Medium close-up of a small group of joyful people, mouths open, arms raised and applauding, gathered around a bar table.
Detail of a medium close-up of a small group of joyful people, mouths open, arms raised and applauding, gathered around a bar table.

Art party! Art party!

An annual live auction fundraiser to support Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

Home Events Art ArtAttack! 2026: Live Art Auction

ArtAttack! 2026: Live Art Auction

One night only – Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre hosts ArtAttack!, their annual art fundraiser party. Art aficionados and novices alike will have an exclusive chance to take home a work of art by over 60 visual artists.

You’re invited to an art fundraiser extravaganza!

One of Toronto’s best-loved and most outrageous art auctions, ArtAttack! is Buddies’ art party fundraiser extravaganza. They know all those gurls are saying their art fundraisers are the best – but if you’ve ever been to Buddies, you know that they know how to throw a party.

ArtAttack!’s live auction collection showcases the best in contemporary Canadian art and has been curated by four incredible curators – Steven Beckly, Alex Bowron, Craig D’Arville and Katlin Rogers. The Tuck Shop is back, with artist originals and multiples all priced at C$150.00 or less.

Hosted by the always entertaining and funny Ava Val, with auctioneer Frances Fripp, this is the party of the fall fundraising auction season and one you won’t want to miss!

Artwork comprised of a grid of four square images, each featuring an abstract deconstructed profile of a human head and face in blue, purple and yellow green, featuring a daisy at the side of the head. Top left has a turquoise background & bottom right has a pink background, while the other two are on white backgrounds.

(Photo credits: Buddies in Bad Times. ArtAttack! Assembly (About Face) by Mitch Duncan.)

 

Art preview & limited edition prints

Want to get your eyes on some of the artwork in person before the event? Come by the ArtAttack! preview event on Saturday, October 4 at Tallulah’s Cabaret in Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to fall in love early with the works. Chat with the curators, artists and friends. Start mapping out your wall space and budgeting your bids.

The Artist Limited Edition Prints were introduced to the auction in 2013. Each year, Buddies commissioned an artist for an original work, available only at ArtAttack!, and prints remain on sale after the event. All proceeds go to support artistic and community programs at Buddies. Check out some of the past pieces here and see what’s available. Something catch your eye? To purchase a print, email Aidan Morishita-Miki at aidan@buddiesinbadtimes.com.

About Buddies in Bad Times

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre. For 48 years, Buddies has carved out a sexy, disobedient edge in Toronto’s theatre scene and has been a world leader in amplifying queer voices and developing their stories for the stage. In its year-round theatre season, Buddies is a home for artistic risk – a place where emerging talent hone their radical visions, and where established artists do the daring works other theatres might shy away from. Read more about them here.

Detail of a medium close-up of a small group of joyful people, mouths open, arms raised and applauding, gathered around a bar table.

(Photo credits: Buddies in Bad Times. From ArtAttack! 2024 by Wade Muir.)

 

Event details

Hosted by: Buddies in Bad Times 

Type of event: live art auction fundraiser party

Curated by: Steven Beckly, Alex Bowron, Craig D’Arville & Katlin Rogers

Event host: Ava Val

Auctioneer: Frances Fripp

Dates & times:

  • In-person collection preview: Saturday, October 4 – from 4:30 – 6:00 PM ET
  • Party & live auction: Thursday, November 5, 2026 – doors @ 7:00 PM ET & live auction @ 8:00 PM ET

Duration: The collection preview is 90 minutes & the live auction event is 4 hours (ends @ 11:00 PM ET)

Cost: All prices include taxes & fees.

  • Early bird (till October 22): C$58.00
  • After October 22: C$78.00

Location: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexandra Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1B4

Artwork: Check out past pieces here

Booking link: Book your tickets here

Contact details: Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexandra Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1B4, Canada; Box office: (416) 975-8555, tickets@buddiesinbadtimes.com, buddiesinbadtimes.com

 

Content warning: For audiences 19+.

Accessibility: There is an elevator for wheelchairs. There are also gender-neutral and accessible bathrooms. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is committed to removing barriers for their audiences and artists. If you have specific requests – such as seating, tickets for a personal support worker, info on ASL, etc., please email tickets@buddiesinbadtimes.com or call them at (416) 975-8555. Info here.