Organizer Information
The City of Toronto Public Art Office is the hosting organization. As part of the City’s Economic Development and Culture division, the office manages one of the most robust public art programs in North America. This project is a centerpiece of the South Parkdale infrastructure renewal, focusing on community equity and the transformation of transit corridors into landmark public spaces. The City aims to create a "gateway" experience that reflects the unique cultural fabric of the Parkdale neighborhood.
Title & Description
Parkdale Bridges Public Art: Integrated Design Competition
This is a prestigious two-stage national competition seeking a professional artist or artist team to design integrated permanent public art for the replacement of three major bridges: Dowling, Dufferin, and Dunn Avenues. Unlike a standalone sculpture, the selected artist will be embedded within the professional engineering and architectural design team to influence the very "bones" of the bridges—including railings, abutments, landscaping, and public realm elements. The goal is to create a cohesive, innovative visual experience for the thousands of commuters and residents entering Toronto’s downtown via the rail corridor and Gardiner Expressway.
Categories
- Public Art & Infrastructure: Integrated structural interventions.
- Environmental & Landscape Design: Art integrated into bridge landings and public pathways.
- 3D/Sculptural Design: Innovations in lighting, materials, and architectural features.
Eligibility
- National: Open to professional practicing artists and artist teams residing in Canada.
- Exclusions: While artists are encouraged to collaborate, architects and commercial design studios are not eligible to apply as the lead applicant for this specific call.
- Experience: Applicants should demonstrate a history of site-specific work and the ability to work within a complex, multi-year construction project.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Design Services Contract: The successful artist/team will receive a $100,000 (plus HST) contract for the design phase.
- Fabrication & Production Budget: An additional budget of approximately $500,000 (plus HST) is managed by the City for materials, construction, and installation.
- Shortlist Honorarium: Five (5) shortlisted artists from Stage 1 will each receive a $750 (plus HST) fee for their interview preparation and participation.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Biography: A brief summary of your professional background.
- Artist Statement: A description of your general artistic practice.
- Statement of Interest: A specific explanation of why you are interested in the Parkdale Bridges project (max 500 words).
- CV: A current professional resume.
- Portfolio: High-quality images of five (5) recent projects with brief descriptions of budget and scope.
- References: Names and contact info for two professional references.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 January 2026
- Notification of Shortlist: 26 February 2026
- Shortlist Interviews: March 2 – 6, 2026
- Design Phase: March 2026 through Fall 2027
- Construction Start: 2028 (Estimated)
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Additional Details
The Selection Panel consists of arts professionals and community members who will evaluate submissions based on Artistic Excellence, Visitor Visibility, and Cooperation. The "Cooperation" metric is vital; the artist must be available for regular design meetings from 2026–2027 to ensure the artwork is seamlessly integrated into the engineering tender documents.