"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? In 2018, MOCA Toronto moved from Queen West to a new home in a heritage-listed former factory building in Junction Triangle, an up-and-coming neighborhood. Considering the museum is off the beaten path, many visitors seek it out intentionally, whether they’re art-world insiders or simply curious about Toronto's art scene. The raison d’être : the artworks. How were they? The museum isn’t a collecting museum; instead, it puts on temporary exhibitions representing all mediums, primarily featuring Canadian artists and occasionally international ones. There are thematic group shows as well as spotlights on individual artists. The gritty industrial building is an interesting blank canvas for the contemporary works—many installations pair well with the concrete and exposed brick. The spaces change depending on what’s on view; sometimes they’re dark and ominous, other times they’re bright and airy. What did you make of the crowd? Most visitors are very interested in contemporary art, and some bring their kids. The museum isn’t typically crowded, unless you’re going during free-admission hours on the first Sunday of each month. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The floors aren't sprawling, so they're pretty easy to navigate. There are multiple staircases, as well as an elevator. Should you need a break from the art there are benches and restrooms throughout the space. Any guided tours worth trying? There are 45-minute guided tours, but most people choose to visit on their own—the wall text is often quite informative. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The gift shop has some quirky goods for sale, but in Toronto, there's better shopping elsewhere. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? There once was a grab-and-go café here, but it's closed during the pandemic. For a bite, make your way to one of the many neighborhood breweries, including Henderson Brewing, Bandit Brewery, and Burdock Brewery. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Contemporary art diehards could easily spend hours across the five gallery floors, but more casual visitors can make it through in an hour or two. Read up on current exhibitions before your trip, so you can make a beeline for the shows you want to see." - Stefanie Waldek
