News

Meet the 2022 CreateSpace Artists-in-Residence

The CreateSpace Public Art Residency is entering its second year with a new cohort of 10 artists and artist groups from across the country! This national program supports emerging Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and racialized artists through public art mentorship, skill-building, and networking opportunities. 

The CreateSpace Residency is made possible by support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, City of Toronto as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021—2022, Canada Council for the Arts, and Ontario Arts Council.

Register: Art and Accessibility in Public Spaces

During National Accessibility Week, join us for a free panel discussion on June 1 from 6-7:30 PM EST exploring access to art and inclusive public art practices with Queen Kukoyi (Ontario), Salima Punjani (Quebec), Ysabelle Vautour (New Brunswick), and moderator Jenel Shaw (Manitoba). Register to the Zoom event or join us on Facebook Live!

Presented by STEPS and Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba, this is the first of many public events as part of the 2022 CreateSpace Public Art Residency.

Save the Date: Panorama Park Events

From Weeds We Grow is an interdisciplinary public art project that blends nature, art and wellness in Toronto’s Rexdale parks. From artistic, Indigenous, multicultural and environmental perspectives, this program explores community connections in local greenspaces.

This summer, we explore Panorama Park with visual arts and creative writing workshops, community storytelling, Indigenous teachings and park walks. Save the event dates happening monthly from 11 AM to 4 PM, and stay tuned for registration:

• Sat, June 18
• Sat, July 16
• Sat, August 13
• Sat, September 17

Events/Opportunities

Save the Date: June 14, 2022:

I HeART Main Street Summer Kick-off!

STEPS’ I HeART Main Street program is back for its third summer to animate main streets through public art and community activities! Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) from across the country are invited to save the date for an upcoming information session on June 14th and apply online.

Public Art Near You!

Native Plant Banner (Brockville, Ontario)

Discover the local mushrooms and plants of Brockville, Ontario in Oksana Hawrylak’s new banner at 119 King St in partnership with Downtown Brockville BIA as part of I HeART Main Street.

Resources For You

Supporting artists and arts workers, especially those who face barriers in accessing public art opportunities, is at the core of STEPS’ mandate. Below are resources and current opportunities on our radar. You can also visit Community Resources for additional learning opportunities.

• Mental Health & The Artist Talk, Akin (May 27, 2022)
• Artist Call, Mini Series Toronto, CCCollective (Ddln: May 27, 2022)
• HOME(LAND) Artist on Site, ArtworxTO Hub West (May 28, 2022)
• Flowers For You, ArtworxTO Hub North (May 28, 2022)
• Artist Call, Kitchener Artist Program (Ddln: May 30, 2022)
• Call for Muralists, Hamilton BIA (Ddln: May 30, 2022)
• Call for Mural Art, StreetARToronto (Ddln: May 30, 2022)
• Call for Proposals, Arts Atlantic Symposium (Ddln: May 31, 2022)
• Textile Artist Call, Centre for Emerging Artists (Ddln: Jun 6, 2022)
• Artist Call, Playing the Diaspora, Nia Centre (Ddln: Jun 6, 2022)

Building Community During COVID

Thanks to contributions from community members like you, STEPS has supported over 150 public art initiatives and made over $650,000 in direct payments to Canadian artists and designers since the start of the pandemic, including over $450,000 in 2021 alone.

Consider making a donation to support this important work!

Featured artists and photographers in this month’s issue:

Meghan Cheng, Efemena Ogboru, Kyla Yin James, RAZA Collective, Stephanie Babij, Jasmin-Nicole Amoako, Jeni Chen, Kawama Kasutu, Tina Nguyen, Ra’anaa Brown, May Shi, Queen Kukoyi, Mila Bright, Shalak Attack, Edan Maxam, Kseniya Tsoy, Fatspatrol, Mary Haasdyk, Eunice Hau, Oksana Hawrylak, Marc Beach, Kyle Jarencio, Earth Sky Collective

Thanks to our funders and supporters