The Next Contemporary is a space dedicated to spotlighting, advocating, and showcasing BIPOC artists and those who have been historically marginalized from the mainstream narrative, founded and directed by Farnoosh Talaee, an Iranian Canadian curator and art advisor based in Toronto.
The gallery is rooted in progressive thinking that results in curated thought-provoking group exhibitions that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion of artists of all cultures, religions, genders, sexes, orientations and dis/abilities, ages, and stages aiming to build a path onward to convey their visions within Canada and beyond.
To welcome and serve the public – from experienced collectors and curators to students and life-long learners – the gallery develops innovative, forward-thinking programs, including artist talks, conversations, performances, and more. This ignites creativity, establishes social connections, and builds community.
Farnoosh Talaee is a Toronto-based art curator, manager, and writer who approaches contemporary art with courage and creativity, empathy and experience, honesty and integrity, passion and self-awareness. Though originally focused on contemporary art – especially from the MENA region – at the intersection of migration, diasporic identity, and decolonization, Farnoosh has broadened and deepened her knowledge about art and the arts community in Canada and beyond!
With academic credentials in art and arts administration, Farnoosh has contributed to research, exhibitions, and programs at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto; Art Dubai, UAE; and several commercial galleries in North America and the Middle East. Most recently, from July 2021 to June 2022, she oversaw more than a year of exhibitions and programs at Mayten’s Projects, and she served as guest curator of a public program series that complemented the exhibition Shirin Neshat: Land of Dreams (10 March to 31 July 2022) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto.