Deadline
11:59 pm, Friday August 29th, 2025
Installation Details
Overview
The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is seeking proposals for art installations as part of the 2026 DesignTO Festival – the largest cultural celebration of design in Canada with over 100 exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA welcomes visual artists, sculptors, designers, architects, and others to submit proposals of all mediums. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is seeking medium to large-scale installations to be displayed in the installation exhibit areas that speak to the theme for the Yonge + St Clair neighbourhood: Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride — or a critical reflection thereof.
Duration
10 days • January 23 – February 1, 2026
(potential to extend for certain sites)
Sites
- 2 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
- 2 St. Clair Ave E – 1 installation (Location images)
- 30 St. Clair AveW, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
- 40 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
- 55 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
- 95 St. Clair Ave W, Gallery – 1 installation (Location images)
- 1521 Yonge St, Window – 1 installation (Location images)
Power supply, or additional operational and infrastructure assistance may be provided on-site at the discretion of the review panel.
These locations are accessible and include appropriate accommodations.
Submission Details
Budget
Artists will receive a $4000-$5000 (inclusive of tax) budget per installation (includes artist fee and the cost of supplies/materials) to support the production of their installation. A brief artist bio will be displayed with the works.
TO NOTE: Applicants can submit a proposal for multiple sites, however, the panel may only select 1 of your submitted installations. Preference will be given to proposals that are site-specific.
Criteria
+ Submit installations separately and specifically for each installation area
+ Installation must fill all spaces appropriately
+ Artists retain ownership of their work after the exhibition period
+ Large-scale installations are strongly encouraged
+ Artist must handle all associated costs for installation and de-installation
+ If working at heights, artists and/or installers are required to have the appropriate certifications
+ Must adhere to DesignTO Artistic Guidelines https://designto.org/designto-festival-artistic-guideline/
+ Alignment with the theme: Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride (or Critique)
Eligibility
Preference will be given to artists who are available in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area
Proposal Package Requirements
* To be delivered via DropBox link or email to [email protected] // Subject line: DesignTO Festival 2026 – Art Proposal – Your Name
- Artist Information: Including your name, telephone number, email, project title, and 100-word artist bio.
- Executive Summary: Provide a brief description (300 words max.) of your proposition in relation to the selected site and specified theme (Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride – or Critique).
- Artistic Concept: Please outline your design proposal (images, sketches, renders, descriptions, precedents, and/or colour schemes). If the works are already produced, submit dimensions and high-resolution photos.
- Budget: General breakdown of project budget.
- Current Resume: Include prior relevant education, work experience, exhibition history, samples of work, and awards.
Submit your proposal(s) to [email protected]. Deadline: Aug 29th
