Three community-engaged public art projects are recognized with awards as the I HeART Main Street Program enters its fourth summer of placemaking
The I HeART Main Street Awards, presented by STEPS and RBC, celebrate exemplary public art projects and support future creative placemaking for the winning artists and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). This year, a committee of cultural and business leaders has awarded three winning public art activations from the 2022 I HeART Main Street round with prizes valued at approximately $20,000+ to continue to promote main street recovery.
The I HeART Main Street program is in its fourth year of partnership with RBC Emerging Artists to help BIAs develop public art activations that build community, safely engage residents, and provide local artists with paid opportunities to animate their main streets.
Applications for the 2023 round of the program are currently open to BIAs across Canada (including groups in Northern and rural communities).
Moises Frank beside the Sharing Stories of Migration mural at 2611 Eglinton Ave W
Photo credit: Anushay Sheikh
Eglinton Hill BIA in Toronto won the Transformative Award for the Sharing Stories of Migration mural by artist Moises Frank that included mentorship opportunities to three emerging artists. The large-scale mural depicts West African drummer, educator and cultural keeper Saikou Saho teaching a student, with Canada geese flying across the backdrop to symbolize migration. Local to the neighbourhood himself, artist Moises expressed, “I hope this mural becomes the heartbeat of Eglinton.”
Ottawa Street BIA in Hamilton, Ontario won the Community Engagement Award for their vinyl pole wraps with illustrations by Indigenous artists Sharon Trottier and Mishiikenh Kwe/Autumn Smith. The artwork reflects the natural world, the rich history of the land, and the Indigenous presence in Hamilton. With the support of I HeART Main Street, the BIA’s summer street festival was brought alive with public artwork and an artmaking workshop.
Sharon Trottier and representatives from Ottawa Street BIA and RBC celebrate the series of vinyl lamp post murals along Ottawa St N
Photo credit: Astrid Mohr
The Innovative Award was presented to Downtown Stratford BIA for The Perfectionist, a large-scale mural by local artist Kellen Hatanaka that explores identity and underrepresented narratives in public space. Kellen shares, “I hope people from all different kinds of groups, especially marginalized groups, can see themselves in this and be inspired to share their own narratives and see that there’s space for those stories in our communities.”
“RBC has been a proud member of the Stratford community for 120 years and we’re excited that the Downtown Stratford BIA is being recognized for engaging local arts in the community to celebrate diversity and share lived experiences,” said Teresa Hunter, Community Manager, RBC. “Our support of this program is just one way we’re helping local communities and businesses prosper while celebrating the incredible talent and passion of individuals across the country.”
Representatives from Downtown Stratford BIA, RBC and Kellen Hatanaka celebrate the award-winning project at 145 Ontario St
Photo credit: Kris Von Kleist
The winning BIAs and artists will receive further support to advance their main street recovery efforts and the I HeART Main Street program will enter another season of providing public art support nationally. BIA and community group applications for the program’s next round are open now until April 30th!
Project partners and funders
I HeART Main Street is presented in partnership with RBC and generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and funding provided by the Government of Ontario.
