STEPS Public Art

Gain public art experience by joining our National Public Art Affiliates Network! With so many projects on the go, sometimes we need extra support to ensure the successful delivery of public art services and programs across the country. That’s why we’re building a network of casual public art coordinators and production staff to turn public art ideas into a reality. If you’re inspired by our work and have the experiences to carry our mission even further, we want to hear from you! Apply by November 1, 2024: https://lnkd.in/gr_RWsmR Artist Credit: Jacquie Comrie Photo Credit: Ayesha Khan at Stories at the Table

Colourful Paths is a hoarding exhibit by STEPS, Yasaman Mehrsa, and Concert Properties that was recently nominated in this year's Heritage Toronto Awards! Thanks so much for the nomination and big congratulations to the rest of the nominees! We can't wait to celebrate with everyone in October.

Can public art be visual and functional? The answer is yes 💚 This creative placemaking project with Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village BIA and 4 artists saw the makeover of public benches and planters placed all along the 2km main street. What a fantastic way to increase seating, reduce vandalism, and bring joy to the community! Learn more about the placemaking initiatives we’ve achieved with BIAs across the country: https://lnkd.in/geEPQa5P Featured artist: Andrea Rodriguez Photo credit: Ayesha Khan from Stories at the Table – This project is part of I HeART Main Street presented in partnership with RBC and generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council | Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, and the Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario.

With summer coming to an end, our seasonal staff are also wrapping up their time at STEPS 💙 Thanks to their creativity, energy, and hard work, we had another successful public art season full of mural productions, free community-engaged events, and so much laughs and growth within the organization. We'll miss every one of you!

60+ installations and counting! It’s remarkable to see the BMO National Mural Series arrive in cities across Canada, including Whitby, Ontario where local artist Sarah Taniwa created artwork that can be seen from afar and when you step inside the branch (you can’t miss it)! We love seeing the impact this public art series has on staff and visitors, truly transforming the banking experience. See how public art makes everyday spaces *even more special*: https://lnkd.in/gm-9s45c Photo credit: Anushay Sheikh

Don’t miss this opportunity to shape community-centred artwork, which builds on our commitment to raising awareness of Indigenous cultures, peoples, and heritages. Late last year, we released a call for artists with STEPS Public Art for an Indigenous art installation at the future Whitby Sports Complex. Three art proposals have been selected and shortlisted, and now we need YOUR feedback. #HaveYourSay until September 5 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eNdFcVxt

In our latest Fieldnotes blog, STEPS Cultural Content Writer Wenying Wu spoke with Roda M. in his studio at 401 Richmond about his artistic practice and exploration of the Kurdish rug in non-traditional mediums. It was great to catch up with Roda since his participation in the CreateSpace Public Art Residency! We hope this inspires you to think about ways you can bring art, culture, and identity into public spaces ✨ Read the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/gGZJpnQY Photo credit: Ayesha Khan from Stories at the Table

The Town of Whitby is working with STEPS on a landmark public artwork for the forthcoming Whitby Sports Complex that aims to create awareness of Indigenous cultures, peoples, and heritages. Artists are shortlisted and now we need your community input on the artist proposals! 🫵 Share, celebrate, and shape the artwork design with your feedback by Sept 5, 2024: https://lnkd.in/g6VPdjYM Congratulations David M. General, Kathryn Corbiere, and Tessa Shank for your hard work in this stage of the competition! 

Urban development, public space, and people are at the heart of every city. Welcome to The Heart of Etobicoke, a public art hoarding exhibit by artist Julia Prajza for The Jopling, a new development just west of Toronto. Thanks to Tribute Communities for trusting us with the artist management and city approvals–it was such a team effort to see this project through from start to finish!   PS. Looking for help on checking off public art requirements on your projects? We’re here to manage the process. We *just* enabled the LinkedIn messaging feature to make it easy for you to get in touch. Photo Credit: Ayesha Khan/Stories at the Table

We believe public art can challenge the systemic inequities existing in public space. That’s why we created the #CreateSpaceResidency to bring art to communities across the country with artists and dedicated partners. In Port Hope, Ontario, Critical Mass is collaborating with two artists: Aaron Jones is a Toronto-based artist, merging various mediums (like photography, videography, collage, drawing, and installation) to explore surrealism and Black-Futurist ideals through the focal point of nature. Raechel Wastesicoot is a mixed Mohawk beadworker, whose artistic style follows a teaching passed down to her – from the land, for the land, and by the land – featuring upcycled, vintage, and harvested materials to highlight sustainability. Thinking about your next project? Learn why public art matters in our urban spaces: https://lnkd.in/gGXnVg9v — The CreateSpace Residency is supported by Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada and TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment.