george street construction hoarding - public art opportunity
Artist Opportunity
The City of Toronto invites Canadian artists to apply for the opportunity for their work to be included as part of the custom art hoarding, to be installed along the 309-345 George Street construction. This is a two-stage competition for practicing artists who work in two-dimensional media. Priority will be given to artists that have lived experience or a connection to the Moss Park and Garden District Heritage Conservation District neighbourhood. One artist will be selected to have their work reproduced and printed on aluminum composite material (ACM) that will be installed along the construction site. The custom art hoarding will enhance the overall public environment and pedestrian streetscape experience for as long as the George Street construction is ongoing.
About the Construction Project
The George Street Revitalization (GSR) project is a transformative initiative that will replace the existing Seaton House men's shelter with a modern, purpose-built facility that integrates essential services, including a long-term care home, shelter services, supportive homes, and a community service hub. The project advances the City's commitment to addressing systemic barriers and supporting equity-deserving groups who rely on services in Toronto's Downtown East. Through a continuum of care model, the GSR will promote stability, dignity, healing, and long-term well-being while strengthening connections within the surrounding community.
The project honours the site's longstanding role as a place of refuge and care. For nearly a century, beginning with Seaton House's origins in 1931 and its operation at 339 George Street from 1959, the site has provided shelter, support, and dignity to thousands of people experiencing homelessness. The redevelopment will also incorporate the historic Allan School, a designated heritage building with important connections to education, social services, and community care in the Downtown East.
The Moss Park neighbourhood is situated within a broader landscape of longstanding Indigenous presence and contemporary Indigenous community-building in downtown Toronto. The area forms part of Toronto’s emerging Indigenous District, with the Indigenous Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the southern end of the George Street serving as an important cultural, institutional, and economic anchor. Allan Gardens and the surrounding historic urban landscape provide an important civic context to this evolving district. Looking forward, the redevelopment of the streetscape along George Street will reflect this history through Indigenous-led placemaking, public art, planting, and gathering spaces, integrating Indigenous identity and presence into the neighbourhood’s public realm.
Competition Process
An external selection panel will be convened for this competition. Four shortlisted artists will be determined based on artistic excellence and demonstrated / perceived ability to develop an engaging and site-specific public artwork. Priority will be given to artists that have lived experience or a connection to the Moss Park and Garden District Heritage Conservation District neighbourhood.
Shortlisted artists will receive a Terms of Reference document to guide their next steps. Each shortlisted artist will be paid an artist fee of $1,000 to design a custom concept for the hoarding, preferably artwork that references the character and history of Moss Park and the Garden District Heritage Conservation District neighbourhood.