City of Toronto public art opportunities and updates on commissions, installations and unveilings.
CreateTO in collaboration with the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division and the Indigenous Affairs Office, is inviting Indigenous artists (Indigenous artists born or living in Canada) to submit their qualifications to the first stage in a two-stage process to commission public art through collaborations with members of the project Design Team (Henning Larsen and Adamson, and Associate Architects and PMA Landscape Architects) for the new Etobicoke Civic Centre (ECC). This call also includes opportunities for Indigenous artists to participate in a paid mentorship program.
The new ECC, will be located on a 13.8 acre property bounded by Kipling Avenue to the west, Bloor and Dundas Streets to the north and the TTC/CPR rail corridor to the southeast. The ECC is situated on the Ancestral territory and gathering place of the Anishnaabe, the Haudenosaunee, the Tionontati (Petun), the Wendat, and the treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Conceived as an “integrated civic hub”, this mixed-use development will feature municipal and civic offices, a Council Chamber, a citizen services centre, multi-purpose meeting rooms, a wedding chapel, a daycare centre, a community recreation centre with a pool and running track, a Toronto Public Library District Branch, an art gallery, and a large outdoor civic square surrounded by ample new sustainable landscaping.
Following an international design competition, design of the civic centre was awarded to internationally acclaimed architect Henning Larsen and Adamson, and Associate Architects and PMA Landscape Architects (the “Design Team”). Completion is expected for the summer of 2025.
Ward: Etobicoke – Lakeshore
Extended submission deadline: April 26, at 6 p.m.
There are three opportunities for commissioned Indigenous artists to collaborate and work with select members of the Design Team in developing design concepts. Two paid mentorships to enable emerging artists to learn more about public art are also offered. Goals for the Indigenous artwork are to honour the ongoing Indigenous presence on Turtle Island and invoke Indigenous Peoples’ connection to Mother Earth; engage the community at large, including local and regional Indigenous communities and the general public, fostering connection and dialogue; serve as welcoming elements inviting exploration by visitors and staff; and serve as intuitive wayfinding landmarks. The artworks should be iconic, impactful, durable and require minimal maintenance.
Ultimately, the Indigenous art program aims to respect and honour all Indigenous people, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, their elders, their knowledge keepers, both young and old, their ancestors and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.
The artworks must be unique. Editioned works or versions of existing works will not be considered.
Please note, funding for the design and construction of ECC and all public art is subject to City Council’s approval. In the event that the ECC does not proceed, all artists commissioned work will be concluded and artists will be compensated for all work completed up to the date work has been suspended.
Design Fee: $25,000
The opportunity consists of the development of a program of bas-relief Indigenous imagery relevant to this territory, to be inscribed into boulders and large stone elements that are placed in key locations around the ECC. The choice of stone materials and placement within the site will require collaboration with the Project Landscape Architect.
Design Fee: $50,000.
Opportunities One and Two will be a collaboration with the Landscape Architect and will also entail periodic review by an Elder.
Design Fee: $50,000
A co-created, wall mounted indoor artwork is proposed for the interior of the wedding chapel. The artwork design and planning will be led by an Indigenous Artist and executed by a team of Indigenous participants (artists and craftspeople) assembled by the lead artist.
The lead artist will act as the coordinator and visionary for the development of a concept, and an execution budget, managing and leading the creative process for design, assembling and managing the team of Indigenous participants (artists and craftspeople) who will execute components of the design. Artists and craftspeople who are interested in participating as an artwork “Maker” in this collaborative, co-created project may contact eccpublicart@gmail.com for details.
Two paid mentorship opportunities are available to emerging artists who have an interest in learning more about public art as a discipline. The selected artists will learn about the processes involved in collaborating with architects, engineers, project managers, fabricators, public servants, and the community. The purpose of these mentorships is to increase the skills and knowledge of Indigenous artists who seek to pursue future public art opportunities. Final details of the scope and timing of these mentorships are to be determined.
Interested Indigenous artists, born or living in Canada, are invited to submit their credentials for consideration as part of the first stage of a two-stage public art process. Recognition as an artist and Indigenous person by the Indigenous community and ability to demonstrate learnings from their own journey and teachings received are of importance.
Please note, these opportunities entail Indigenous Artist collaborations with the designated Design Team member. Non-Indigenous team submissions will not be considered.
Proponents must be Indigenous professional artists with a history of public exhibition as artists, a background including training as artists including equivalent informal or traditional training, and curator, community or peer recognition as artists.
Architects and designers/design studios are not being considered for this project.
Three to five candidates will be selected to advance as finalists for each commission opportunity, including the mentorships. Selection will be made by the ECC Public Art Jury and Working Group. Finalists will be invited to participate in juried interviews with an honorarium paid to finalists for their participation.
March 16: Call for artists
March 19: Release of the application forms*
March 23 at 8 a.m.: Deadline to secure the “Call to Artists” package of information and submission forms*
March 25 and 27 at 11 a.m.: “How to Apply” online information session**
April 26 at 6 p.m.: Extended submission deadline
*Please contact Karen Mills at eccpublicart@gmail.com to request the application forms and an invitation to participate.** Please email Karen Mills at eccpublicart@gmail.com to register for the online event.
“How to Apply” online information sessions will be held on Thursday, March 25 and Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m.. An additional session may be scheduled at a later date.
To request the application forms and to secure the “Call to Artists” package, please contact Karen Mills at eccpublicart@gmail.com.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
The City of Toronto invites professional artists (including artist teams) to submit their Expression of Interest to the first stage of a competition for a public artwork or artworks as part of the design of a new park for the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood.
The art component of this new public space will be selected through an open, two-stage competition, with a net budget of approximately $475,000 (+HST). The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: all fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, travel and other incidental expenses.
The design, by Dillon Consulting, is currently underway, and construction is planned for completion in 2023.
Ward: Eglinton – Lawrence
Submission Deadline: March 1 at 5 p.m.(closed)
The City of Toronto’s new Public Art Strategy outlines the City’s commitment to public art created for, and with the input of, Toronto communities, and to create opportunities for artists of diverse backgrounds, experience and practice. We welcome submissions from Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists, and those who may not have previously worked in the public realm.
Lawrence Heights is an historical neighbourhood that is home to a strong, diverse, and engaged community. Artists are asked to consider the social impact of their work and how they can engage with community members, both long-time residents and those newer to the area, during the development and/or creation of their proposals. Community engagement will be a requirement for the selected artist and as such, interested artists should be prepared to outline how they intend to do so within their submissions.
The primary site for artists to consider is the south west edge of the park, along the new Deep Roots Terrace, where a series of locations is possible in a linear promenade, accessible to the street as well as the park. Other sites may be available at the entrances to the park and at several sites within the park itself. It is an option for artists to work at one or a combination of sites. The sites will be described in detail in the Terms of Reference for short-listed artists.
This is a two-stage, open, international competition for professional artists. Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:
A specially convened Selection Panel, composed of practicing arts professionals and community members, will be established for this two-stage competition.
The Selection Panel will review all submissions and meet in late February, 2021 (date TBC) to identify a short-list of five (5) artists, based on artistic excellence and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context.
The short-listed artists will be notified shortly after the selection panel’s first meeting, and invited to submit a conceptual design proposal. A detailed Terms of Reference document will be provided to short-listed artists, with all of the detailed information required to prepare and submit their proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid a fee of $3000.00 (+HST) for this stage.
All proposals will undergo a technical review by City staff and Design Team members, in order to assess them for safety and maintenance concerns. Each artist will receive their technical feedback notes, and have time to incorporate them into their proposals, if necessary, and all technical reviews will be circulated to the selection panel. Proposals which are deemed not technically viable will not advance to the interview stage.
Short-listed artists will attend an interview (interviews may be conducted online) and present their proposals to the Selection Panel in June, 2021 (date to be confirmed). The panel will choose a finalist whose vision for the site best suits the overall scope and intent of this project, and has the ability or perceived ability to conceive and realize a public artwork on this site.
The short-listed artists will be notified of the competition results by the end of June, 2021.
ArtworxTO, the City’s Year of Public Art, will take place in 2021 as part of the City’s commitment to artists and art as part of COVID-19 recovery. All new commissions will be included in the ArtworkTO program wherever possible.
December 17, 2020: Expression of Interest issued
March 1, 2021: Submissions due
Mid-March, 2021: Selection panel meeting
Mid-March 2021: Short-listed artists notified
Mid-May 2021: Proposal deadline
Late May 2021: Technical review
June 2021: Artist interviews and selection
Artists are invited to respond by submitting a single PDF document with the following information:
The PDF application must be labeled with the name of the artist and project (Last Name First Name_ LHTriangle), and should not exceed 20 MB total size.
The document should be emailed to publicartcompetitions@toronto.ca with subject line “LH Triangle Park EOI Submission”. The submission deadline is 5 p.m., March 1. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Catherine Dean
Public Art Officer
647-458-5657
catherine.dean@toronto.ca
The City of Toronto invites professional artists (including artist teams) to submit their Expression of Interest to the first stage of a competition for a public artwork or artworks along the newly redesigned Humber Bay Shores Trail. The trail runs from the Humber River to the east, through Humber Bay Shores park and the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, and connects to the Humber Bay East and West parks to the west.
The artwork for this site will be selected through an open, two-stage competition, with a budget of approximately $350,000 (+HST). The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: all fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, travel and other incidental expenses.
Ward: Etobicoke – Lakeshore
Submission Deadline: February 22 at 5 p.m. (closed)
The City of Toronto’s new Public Art Strategy outlines the City’s commitment to public art created for, and with the input of, Toronto communities, and to create opportunities for artists of diverse backgrounds, experience and practice. We welcome submissions from Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists, and those who may not have previously worked in the public realm.
The creation of a new plaza along the trail provides a highly public site for an art work or works on the shore of Humber Bay. The open space is designed as a rest area for trail users, with a wide view of the bay, lake and the Toronto skyline to the east. The site will also be visible to those passing by on the trail, as well as from the surrounding condo towers.
Thematically, artists are asked to broadly consider the history and ecology of the area. The new plaza at the foot of Palace Pier Court is named after the Palace Pier dance hall, which stood on the site from the late 1920s until it was destroyed by fire in 1963. After the pier’s demolition, the section of the bay where it stood was filled to create the current site, along with other modifications to the shoreline over the 20th century which included the creation of the Humber Bay parks.
In a recent community survey, the majority of respondents cited the proximity to nature, the water, and the area’s biodiversity as its most important characteristics. They envisioned an art work which complements and acknowledges the area’s unique natural features and history.
Artists are asked to consider the social impact of their work and how they can engage with community members during the development and/or creation of their proposals. This will be a requirement for the selected artist, and interested artists should outline potential opportunities for community engagement in their letter of interest.
This is a two-stage, open, competition for professional artists.
Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:
A specially convened Selection Panel, composed of practicing arts professionals and community members, will be established for this two-stage competition.
The Selection Panel will review all submissions and identify a short-list of five (5) artists, based on artistic excellence and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context.
The short-listed artists will be notified in March (date to be confirmed), and invited to submit a conceptual design proposal. A detailed Terms of Reference project document will be provided to help short-listed artists prepare their proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid a fee of $3,000 (+HST) for this stage.
Short-listed artists will attend an interview and present their proposals (online presentations may be required) to the Selection Panel in May, 2021 (date to be confirmed) The panel will choose a finalist whose vision for the site best suits the overall scope of this project, and has the ability or perceived ability to conceive and realize a public artwork on this site.
The selected artist will be notified by the end of June, 2021.
ArtworxTO, the City’s Year of Public Art, will take place in 2021 as part of the City’s commitment to artists and art as part of COVID-19 recovery. All new commissions will be included in the ArtworkTO program wherever possible.
January 2021: Expression of Interest issued
February 22, 2021: Submissions due
March 2021: Selection panel meeting
March 2021: Short-listed artists notified
May 2021: Proposal deadline
June 2021: Technical review
June 2021: Artist interviews and selection
Artists are invited to respond by submitting a single PDF document with the following information:
The PDF application must be labeled with the name of the artist and project (Last Name First Name_ HumberBay), and should not exceed 20 MB total size.
The document should be emailed to publicartcompetitions@toronto.ca with subject line “Last Name, First Name_HumberBay”. The submission deadline is 5 p.m., February 22. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Catherine Dean
Public Art Officer
647-458-5657
catherine.dean@toronto.ca
The City of Toronto invites professional artists (including artist teams) to submit their Expression of Interest to the first stage of a competition for a public artwork or artworks as part of the design of the Northeast Scarborough Community Recreation and Childcare Centre (NESCCC). This new multi-use community centre and child care facility in Scarborough’s Joyce Trimmer Park will include a gymnasium to accommodate an indoor cricket and running track, a teaching kitchen, fitness/dance studios, a 25-metre indoor lap pool and leisure pool. In addition to the Centre, the surrounding park will be upgraded with various outdoor amenities, including the addition of a skate park, multiple outdoor play spaces and a tree-lined promenade.
The art component of this new community centre will be selected through an open, international, two-stage competition, with a budget of approximately $450,000 (+HST). The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: all fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, travel and other incidental expenses.
NESCCC will become an important part of a vibrant, strong and culturally diverse local community. The site is located just south of the Rouge National Urban Park, a continuous ecological corridor from Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario. Within the Rouge Valley watershed, surrounded by parks and natural areas, the architecture and landscape of the project are inspired by this important ecological context.
The design, by architects Perkins & Will and landscape architects PMA, working with the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Child Services, is currently underway. Construction is anticipated to start in fall of 2021, with completion by the end of 2024.
Ward: Scarborough – Rouge Park
Submission Deadline: February 8 at 5 p.m. (closed)
The City of Toronto’s new Public Art Strategy outlines the City’s commitment to public art created for, and with the input of, Toronto communities, and to create opportunities for artists of diverse backgrounds, experience and practice. We welcome submissions from Indigenous, Black and racialised artists, and those who may not have previously worked in the public realm.
Thematically, artists are asked to broadly consider the history and ecology of the area and the surrounding community, some of which is detailed above. Artists are asked to consider the social impact of their work and how they can engage with community members during the development and/or creation of their proposals. Community engagement will be a requirement for the selected artist, and interested artists should outline how they intend to do so within their submissions.
The primary site for artists to consider is the filter garden area at the south west corner of the site, along Sheppard Avenue East. In addition to welcoming visitors into the site, artwork at this site will be a visible marker of the site’s entrance. The filter garden will provide on-site water management, as well as incorporating shaded seating areas and a linear skate park. Art works could be placed close to the front edge of the site, within landscaped areas of the filter garden or as part of the skate park.
Complete information about primary site options, as well as possible secondary sites, will be included in the detailed Terms of Reference document which will be distributed to short-listed artists.
This is a two-stage, open, international competition for professional artists. Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:
A specially convened Selection Panel, composed of practicing arts professionals and community members, will be established for this two-stage competition.
The Selection Panel will review all submissions and identify a short-list of five (5) artists, based on artistic excellence and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context.
The short-listed artists will be notified by late February, and invited to submit a conceptual design proposal. A detailed Terms of Reference project document, outlining all proposal requirements will be provided to short-listed artists prepare their proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid a fee of $3,000 (+HST) for this stage.
Short-listed artists will attend an interview and present their proposals (online presentations may be required) to the Selection Panel in May, 2021. The panel will choose a finalist whose vision for the site best suits the overall scope of this project, and has the ability or perceived ability to conceive and realize a public artwork on this site.
The selected artist will be notified by the end of May 2021.
ArtworxTO, the City’s Year of Public Art, will take place in 2021 as part of the City’s commitment to artists and art as part of COVID-19 recovery. All new commissions will be included in the ArtworkTO program wherever possible.
December 17, 2020: Expression of Interest issued
February 8, 2021, 5pm: Submissions due
February 2021 (date to be confirmed): Selection panel meeting
February 2021 (date to be confirmed): Short-listed artists notified
April 2021 (date to be confirmed): Proposal deadline
May 2021 (date to be confirmed): Technical review
May 2021 (date to be confirmed): Artist interviews and selection
Artists are invited to respond by submitting a single PDF document with the following information:
The PDF application must be labeled with the name of the artist and project (Last Name First Name_ NESCCC), and should not exceed 20 MB total size.
The document should be emailed to publicartcompetitions@toronto.ca with subject line “Last name, First Name_NESCCC”. The submission deadline is 5 p.m., February 8. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Catherine Dean
Public Art Officer
647-458-5657
catherine.dean@toronto.ca