Toronto Opens Street Art Programs
StreetARToronto announced "Outside the Box" and "Concrete Barrier Mural Programs" for emerging artists with a March 11, 2026 deadline. The programs represent the city's commitment to supporting grassroots creativity and providing platforms for new artistic voices. Applications are currently being accepted for artists interested in creating public works.
- StreetARToronto (StART) was launched in 2012 as a central part of the City's Graffiti Management Plan, aiming to counter vandalism with vibrant, community-engaged street art. - The "Outside the Box" program has transformed more than 500 traffic signal boxes into works of art since it began in 2013. Artists selected for this program are paid a fee of $1,500. - The "Concrete Barrier Mural Program" beautifies infrastructure used for pedestrian and cyclist safety. For the 2026 Cycle Track Mural Program, artists who reach the design submission stage will receive a $125 fee. - StART uses a "career ladder" approach, helping artists move from smaller canvases to major works. For larger projects, the StART Partnership Program offers funding of up to $70,000. - The program has a history of collaboration with various entities, including the TTC, the STEPS Initiative, and private companies like Slate Asset Management, to create significant public art pieces. A notable project with the STEPS Initiative was a 23-story mural called "Equilibrium" on a student residence building. - Since its beginning, StART has created over 325 mentorship opportunities for emerging artists. - Other StART initiatives include the StART Support Mural Program, which gives property owners up to $3,000 in materials to create murals on walls that are frequent targets of graffiti. - A 2018 report recommended allocating $466,230 to fund 14 mural projects through the StART Partnership Program. The approved operating budget for the same program in 2016 was $375,890.
