Public art planning
The City of Toronto encourages both the public and private development of public art throughout the city. A rich and varied selection of public artworks throughout the city enhances the sense of place and belonging that defines a healthy urban environment.
The Culture Plan for the Creative City recommends the development of a City of Toronto Public Art Master Plan which would outline opportunities for public art commissions throughout the City and designate key sites in order of priority and prominence.
Due to the size of Toronto and the level of complexity and detail required of a meaningful public art plan, Cultural Services is working collaboratively with City divisions, with a subcommittee of the Art Committee for Public Places (ACPP), to develop, in lieu of a City-wide Master Plan, a series of District Public Art Plans based on key areas of regeneration and development. Public Art plans recently completed or ongoing include:
Regent Park
Issued in March 2005, the Regent Park Urban Design guidelines identified public art opportunities within the area and called for a phased Public Art Master Plan. Given the timeframe and scope of the redevelopment, together with a desire for flexibility expressed by community members, and non-secured funding sources at the time of planning, Cultural Services worked with the community and project consultants to develop a document which outlines the priorities and guiding principles of a public art program for Regent Park. To download a copy of Regent Park Public Art Plan, Click here.
North York Centre
The large number of private and public developments imminent in North York Centre present great opportunities for an art driven revitalization of the public realm.
Cultural Services is working with an inter-divisional team, arts professionals and local representatives to create a North York Centre Public Art Plan, which will map out a dynamic public art program for the area.
Waterfront
Cultural Services works closely with the Waterfront Secretariat and WaterfrontToronto to ensure that public art is integrated into all of the current waterfront redevelopment, including Central Waterfront, West Donlands and East Bayfront.