The 519 Community Centre Mural Competition
(Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (September 28, 1998) from the
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
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:
1.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