Ontario Construction News staff writer
Northcrest Developments, the lead developer at the 370-acre Downsview Airport Lands project, has issued an open call for artists, creatives, programmers and event producers to “bring the site to life: through cultural events and installations.
Northcrest is offering up to $100,000 to reimagine the taxiway—600 metres of tarmac, leading to the two kilometre runway, surrounded by airplane hangars.
Winning proposals will transform a historic industrial space into a “place of possibility”.
To ensure a diversity of onsite experiences, Northcrest is considering projects with budgets starting from $10,000.
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We’re looking for ideas that are imaginative, engaging, visually-striking, and barrier-free, which will bring people together and build on our vision of creating a new cultural destination in Toronto,” said Mitchell Marcus, Northcrest’s executive director of site activation and programming. “We have a unique and inspiring site that is filled with infinite possibilities for creative expression.
“We see the Downsview Airport Lands as an unprecedented opportunity for new experiences, community, and culture and we are excited to meet the creative minds who will contribute to this vision in the coming years through this open call.”
The almost century-old Downsview airport most recently served as a facility for Bombardier Aerospace, and Northcrest will be transforming the site into a series of new neighbourhoods over the coming decades.
A series of murals have been commissioned for the site, including work from muralist Jacquie Comrie, who will be creating “FLOAT,” a large 3,900-square-foot mural that will adorn the doors of one of the most prominent airplane hangars.