Located throughout the City of Toronto, are over 200 City-owned pieces of outdoor public art and historical monuments. Situated in City parks, subway stations, and on the grounds of municipal buildings, these works add both a historic and artistic element to the urban landscape. They are diverse in medium, ranging from bronze and masonry sculptures, to aluminum, polyester resin, stainless steel and concrete.
More information about Public Art, including a Public Art Map can be found on the City website .
On April 17th, 2023 a new 40 feet tall landmark public artwork will begin being installed within the Metrolinx Construction zone at Keele St. and Finch Ave W.
The Heights is an installation of a partial representation of the Elia Public School that once stood on the northeast corner of Keele St and Finch Ave West, rendered in Corten steel and cantilevered forty feet above the ground. With its innovative use of symbolic architecture, The Heights highlights the continuity between the past and the present. The sculpture evokes the history of the Keele and Finch area while celebrating the vibrant future of the community. This large-scale artwork incites a conversation around the evolution of the neighbourhood from its semi-rural history, to its life as an industrial centre, to the rapidly expanding urban centre that residents experience today.
An art collection exhibited outdoors requires ongoing maintenance due to exposure to harsh weather conditions, vandalism and air borne pollution. The Public Art office is committed to maintaining its outdoor art and monument collection. The emphasis of the conservation program is to ensure that the newer pieces in the collection remain in good condition through maintenance, and to carry out catch up conservation on the older pieces.
Each summer, works from the collection are cleaned and conserved, under the direction of the section's Public Art Conservator.
The emphasis of the conservation program is to ensure that the newer pieces in the collection remain in good condition through maintenance, and to carry out catch up conservation on the older pieces.
To discuss a concern or to report graffiti, damage, vandalism, or to find out how to erect an outdoor statue, sculpture, memorial, monument or public art piece, please contact a Public Art Officer in Culture.