Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 2N2
www.city.toronto.on.ca
Tel: 416-392-1126
Fax: 416-392-1330
File No.098060
Urban Planning and Development Services
October 8, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:The 519 Community Centre Mural Competition, Downtown, Ward 24
Purpose:The purpose of this report is to inform Council of a new initiative by the 519
Community Centre to run a competition for a new mural on the south exterior wall and to
seek the required approval from Council to implement this project on a city-owned building.
Source of Funds:
The funds for the $20,000 budget will be raised by the 519 Community Centre.
Recommendations:
- That Council approve the recommendations of the Public Art Commission which are as
follows:
a) That the 519 Community Centre be supported to run a mural competition; and,
b)That Ken Hayes, as a member of the Public Art Commission, assist the 519 Community
Centre and be on the art selection jury.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On September 3, 1998, Helen Rykens of the 519 Community Centre made a presentation to
the Public Art Commission. The 519 Community Centre is sponsoring a one-stage, open
competition to place a new mural on the south face of the building. The intent of this
competition is to invite artists to submit proposals that will reflect the diversity of the 519
Community Centre, which serves the downtown area bordered by Gerrard, Parliament, Bloor
and Bay Streets. Currently, the 519 Community Centre is in the process of raising the funds
for the $20,000 for the mural competition. My understanding is that approximately 50% of the
funds have been raised to date, and the Centre is confident that they will raise the remaining
funds. It is anticipated that the competition will be run during the winter, concluded in
February 1999, with a new mural in place by May 1999.
A draft of the competition brief was submitted to the City for feedback and endorsement. The
519 Community Centre also requested that a member of the Public Art Commission be
appointed to be on the jury for this competition. The draft competition brief is on file with
Urban Design of City Planning.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The intent of this mural competition is in accordance with the City Planning's public art
process. The competition is an open call to artists, the art selection jury has a majority of art
experts, in addition to strong representation from the local community. There will be
sufficient resources in place to support this initiative, and the 519 Community Centre will
ensure that 10% of the overall budget will be raised to address long term maintenance
concerns.
Conclusion:
I am in support of this local initiative to sponsor a mural competition at the 519 Community
Centre. This centre has a high profile in the community and has been successful in many
ventures including the implementation of the AIDS Memorial in Cawthra Park. Over the
years, the 519 Community Centre has maintained this memorial which continues to be one to
the most important memorials in the downtown core.
Contact Name:Jane Perdue, Public Art Coordinator, Urban Design
Telephone: (416) 392-1304
Fax: (416) 392-1304
E-Mail: jperdue@city.toronto.on.ca
Robert Glover
Director
Urban Design, City Planning Division
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