Ontario Construction News staff writer
StreetARToronto (StART) is preparing for the Year of Public Art in 2021 with plans to add more colour and vibrancy to Toronto’s streetscapes while delivering new and enhanced programs all year long.
StART gives artists access to canvases of different sizes ranging from small scale traffic-signal boxes and cycle-track barriers to buildings that are 20 or more storeys tall. Since 2012, StART has created almost 1,000 mural installations throughout Toronto.
Kicking off 2020 is the Street Art Toronto You’ve Changed exhibit, on from now until April 19. An expanded range of StART programs and projects is planned during this year’s leadup to the Year of Public Art in 2021.
“Street and graffiti art inspire and infuse creativity into our neighbourhoods, so that residents and visitors are more connected to the buildings and infrastructure around us,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory.
“Next year is the Year of Public Art in our city and I am pleased that StART is ready to deliver new and enhanced programs that will continue helping to make Toronto a vibrant and beautiful city.”
New or enhanced programming for 2020:
New street art exhibit
A free new exhibit, Street Art Toronto You’ve Changed, at the Market Gallery in the St. Lawrence Market, showcases the diversity and value of street art located throughout the city. Learn more at bit.ly/StARTYouveChanged.
Buildings transformed into giant canvases
StART Monumental delivers in a big way as it packages together artist mentorship, welcomes corporate partnership and turns our tallest buildings into community centrepieces. Through Monumental, street artists create culturally relevant art on walls that are a minimum of 270 square metres (roughly the size of an eight- to 10-storey building). Examples from this year include huge new murals at 1 St. Clair Ave. and 3847 Lawrence Ave. E. Learn more at bit.ly/StARTMonumental.
Beautifying barriers
The StART Concrete Barrier Program contributes to safer, more appealing streets by animating functional but generally uninspiring concrete barriers. Watch for street art on cycle track barriers along Scarlett Road, Shoreham Drive and Richmond Street this spring/summer. Learn more at bit.ly/StARTConcreteBarrier.
Coxwell underpass ready to StART
The Coxwell Street Underpass between Gerrard Street East and Danforth Avenue was rehabilitated and now it needs a fresh canvas. Artists who identify as Indigenous persons are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the East End Bridges to Art – Coxwell Underpass Street Art Project. Learn more at bit.ly/StARTevents36PmUkICoxwell.
In addition, StART annually accepts applications for its long-standing Partnership Program. Open now for 2020, the program provides support and funding for large-scale projects that steer the program’s mission to revitalize and engage communities through mural, street and graffiti art. More information is available at bit.ly/StARTPartnershipProgram.
“StreetARToronto is a city-wide festival of street and graffiti art that transforms Toronto’s streetscapes, celebrates diversity, strengthens the sense of belonging and inclusion, and reinforces our city’s reputation as a global centre of innovation and creativity,” said James Pasternak, chair of the infrastructure and environment committe
Initiated in 2012 as an integral part of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan, StART has reduced graffiti vandalism and replaced it with vibrant, colourful, community-engaged street art. StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make streets more beautiful and safe, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent and reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs.