Background and Objectives

This art call is being managed by StreetARToronto (StART), part of the Neighbourhood Projects Section of the City of Toronto, Transportation Services Division. 

StART is a suite of programs, specifically designed for streets and public spaces, to encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make our streets more inclusive and safe, showcase local artists, and mentor emerging talent.

StART art and artists reflect the City of Toronto motto: “Diversity Our Strength” and foster a greater sense of belonging and affinity among all.

Overview of Artist Selection Process

Artist Expression of Interest must be received by 7:30 p.m. on May 6th, 2024.

In fairness to all applicants, submissions will not be accepted past the deadline.

Submissions will undergo a review by an external Advisory Panel with lived experience as disabled, deaf/hard of hearing, mad, visually impaired and blind community members and creatives.

(Stage One) A limited number of artists who meet the criteria will be included in the StART Disabled, Deaf/Hard of Hearing (‘HoH’), Mad, visually impaired and blind Artist Roster and invited to create a digital design for one-or-all of: a traffic signal box, a cycle track concrete barrier, or concrete block. 

Design submissions from the Roster will be reviewed by the external Advisory Panel and selected for a catalogue of designs for use by Transportation Services, City of Toronto.

(Stage Two) Roster artists will be provided technical details of the piece of transportation infrastructure they are being invited to design for and will be paid a design fee (plus HST) for design and first use in public realm as follows:

  • $1,000 traffic signal box
  • $1,000 concrete barrier (2 designs $500 each)
  • $750 concrete block (3 designs $250 each)

The final submissions will be reviewed by the Advisory Panel and designs will be recommended based on the highest total scores as evaluated by the panel. Designs will be required in vector-based illustrations in Adobe PDF (.pdf) or Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) format.

Panel will evaluate Stage 1 Artist Roster EOIs based on the criteria outlined below.

Eligibility

  • Eligible applicants are Artists who identify as Disabled, Deaf/HoH, Mad, visually impaired or blind and reside in the City of Toronto. 
  • Artist applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Digital and visual artists are encouraged to apply.
  • City of Toronto employees are not eligible to apply.

Info Sessions

Have questions? Attend an Info Sessions for answers:

  • April 17, 4:00 p.m. (online)
  • April 17, 7:00 p.m. (online)
  • April 22, CNIB, GTA Community Hub, 2:00 p.m. 1525 Yonge Street

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/request-for-expression-of-interest-beyond-barriers-streetartoronto-disable-tickets-870631180297 

How to Apply

In order to apply to the Beyond Barriers: StreetARToronto Disabled, Deaf, Mad, Blind Artist Roster REOI, you must submit the following materials in electronic format only:

  1. Artist’s full name and contact details (telephone, address and email, social media.)
  2. Describe the ways in which the public realm poses a barrier to you being able to create your art in it.
  3. A current artist CV or resume (simplified to one page), highlighting your most relevant qualifications.
  4. Description (maximum 300 words) to briefly explain how your body of work celebrates the unique character of Toronto and/or how it expresses the objectives described on page 1.
  5. Three (3) images of your past most relevant work, labeled with the date, title, location and medium.

Need accommodation to apply to Stage 1? Please contact streetart@toronto.ca

Artists responding to this REOI must provide a complete application.

The deadline for applications is  7:30 p.m. on May 6th, 2024.

In fairness to all applicants, submissions will not be accepted past this deadline. 

StART Disabled Artist Roster Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated excellence of past work in projects of similar size and scope
  • Artist qualifications related to this call
  • Proven capability to produce work of the highest quality
  • Completeness and clarity of submission

Selection of artists for the Artist Roster concludes Stage One.