Support Mural Program

Applications for the Support Mural Program are now closed.

The StART Support Program helps provide materials for the creation of graffiti art and street art murals on properties with a history of repeated vandalism on walls exposed to city streets.

City of Toronto property owners who have received a Notice of Violation for Graffiti from Municipal Licensing & Standards or can otherwise prove they are experiencing issues with vandalism (i.e. photos or a Google Streetview image) are eligible to receive up to $3,000 of direct material purchases, which can include:

  • Artistic quality spray paint, available in a variety of colours;
  • Assorted spray paint caps producing various effects;
  • Exterior paint in a full colour spectrum; and
  • A limited supply of application materials, including paint rollers, brushes and paint trays.

Materials required for the project will be purchased by City staff through consultation with the artist(s) selected to complete the work and will be based on factors including the conceptual sketch for the design and the size of the mural proposed. Designs and artwork are subject to final approval by the City.

The City has the sole discretion to approve or reject an application and to determine what materials will be provided if an application is approved.

Property owners must hire an artist of their choosing independently, and pay them directly for services rendered or equipment rentals as required. You may wish to visit the StreetARToronto Artist Directory online.

Property owners will be responsible for maintaining the artwork on their building in good repair, for a period of 1 year from the completion date of the project.

Eligibility

  • The applicant’s property needs to demonstrate proof of problems with graffiti vandalism. Examples of proof include:
    • a Notice of Violation from Municipal Licensing and Standards
    • photos of the current vandalism
    • or images in Google Streetview
  • The proposed location for the mural must be clearly visible from a City street
  • The property must be located within the City of Toronto.

You can search historical Municipal Licensing & Standards property investigations by address to determine whether Notices of Violation for Graffiti have been issued for a property.

Materials

Eligible City of Toronto property owners may receive up to $3,000 of direct material purchases for art murals or graffiti art on their property, which can include:

  • artistic quality spray paint, available in a variety of colours
  • assorted spray paint caps producing various effects
  • exterior paint in a full colour spectrum
  • application materials, for example paint rollers, brushes and paint trays.

Materials required for the project will be purchased by City of Toronto staff through consultation with the artists(s) selected to complete the work and will be based on factors including the submission of a conceptual sketch and the size of the proposed wall where the mural will be installed.

Terms & Conditions Highlights

There are many important details about the StART Support Mural Program outlined in the Terms and Conditions document (Appendix 1 in the StART Support Application Form). Below are some of the key highlights; however, please download and review all terms and conditions carefully before starting your project.

  1. The Property Owner is wholly responsible for the selection and management of the artist(s) performing the artwork installation, including any arrangements or agreements that must be made with the artist for the design, installation and maintenance of the mural.
  2. The Property Owner is wholly responsible for any additional costs arising from the project, including but not limited to, picking up required materials from vendors, equipment rentals, any required permits and insurance, substrate cleaning, artist payments, etc.
  3. The artwork shall not promote violence, hatred, or contempt against any identifiable person or group distinguished on the basis of colour, race, ancestry, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, politics, age, language or disability.
  4. StART Support projects must be completed no later than October 31 every year.
  5. A minimum of one digital photo depicting the completed project in its entirety must be submitted to the City at the completion of the project.
  6. Artists working on StART Support projects will be required to enter into an agreement with the City for use of artwork for promotional, non-commercial purposes.

The mural must be maintained in a state of good repair for a period of at least 1 year from the final completion date of the project. It remains the responsibility of the property owner to remove graffiti vandalism on their property in accordance with City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 485, Graffiti, in the Bylaw.