TORONTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021 Partnership Grant program is now open for applications until September 10.
Artists can receive up to $100,000 on a partnership grant to share their art with the city.
Apply now:
ArtworxTO will kick-off the City’s new 10-Year Public Art Strategy, signaling Toronto’s renewed commitment to public art. The program will celebrate Toronto’s incredible collection of public art and the artists behind it while creating more opportunities for the public to connect and engage with the work.
Toronto’s commitment to this exciting new program underscores dedication to the arts sector as an essential component of a vibrant city, a city statement said.
ArtworxTO will provide new opportunities for both Toronto and international artists to play a leading role in the development of public art projects within the city. The program will work
closely with artists and Toronto’s key arts institutions to deliver major public art projects and commissions for 2021.
ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art will be driven by its 21 strategic actions endorsed by Toronto City Council. Foremost among these principles is a commitment to advancing reconciliation in Toronto through Indigenous place-making This means that:
• Projects will acknowledge Indigenous history, present, and future of the land they are
situated on;
• Indigenous projects should be guided by self-determination, freedom of expression, equitable access to resources and greater influence over public art practices; and,
• Indigenous communities and creators must be at the center of the decision-making process for any Indigenous-focused project.
• ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art will lay the foundation for a stronger arts sector by supporting artists, key art institutions, and the public with the following program streams:
• Artist-led Projects
• Getting money directly to artists for artist-initiated temporary public art projects, including a new Toronto Arts Council granting stream, Animating Toronto Streets;
• Partnership Grants
• Arts organizations and festivals will be eligible for different levels of partnership with the City of Toronto on Year of Public Art activities, including funding, communications, and production support.
• Engagement Projects
• Through both grants to partners and improved City efforts, the public will benefit from new tools and programs to help access and engage with public art in Toronto.
• ArtworxTO will leave an enduring legacy of new works and funds, plus create sustainable
opportunities for Toronto’s artists seeking to work in the public realm beyond 2021. The program will also strengthen the link between public art and civic engagement through investment in art that engages the public while addressing major issues facing Toronto today.
It is expected to expand the City of Toronto’s cultural events to celebrate public art, including the city-wide expansion of Nuit Blanche Toronto by 2021 and public art focus for Doors Open.
The program will also reflect all Toronto communities in public art, by supporting diversity in both City and partner-led projects and ensuring efforts reach across the city, including multigenerational engagement with a focus on youth.