Artist: PUFF Paddy
Photo Credit: May Shi

The Canadian arts sector has been one of the hardest hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly troubling in a sector in which precarity was already widespread and the health and well-being of artists (financial, physical, mental) continue to be at risk. 

STEPS believes that artists have a critical role to play in shaping cities, and many of our projects are designed to build artist capacity. Thanks to contributions from community members like you, STEPS has supported over 150 public art initiatives and made over $454,000 in direct payments to Canadian artists and designers since the start of the pandemic, including $294,000 in 2021 alone.

We’re excited to share that the Bulmash-Siegel Foundation has generously agreed to match donations made to STEPS between now and the end of 2021 up to $5,000! Every dollar you donate by December 31st doubles its impact in the community towards paid artist creations, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that bring more public art to YOUR communities. 

Artist: Bruno Canadien
Photo Credit: Jeremy Pavka

STEPS is launching the CreateSpace Public Art Forum that will virtually convene 50 participants who identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), racialized, rural and/or youth with disabilities and between the ages of 18-25. This digital forum will foster connections across geographies and cultures, providing emerging equity-seeking artists the skills, relationships and institutional support to grow and develop public art practices.

Are you or an artist you know interested in gaining experience, building networks and professional skills to launch or expand your public art practice? Submit your application by December 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST.

Artist: Florence Yee
Photo Credit: Misiksk Jadis

Join moderator Ammar Mahimwallar and artists Bo Yeung, Florence Yee and Phillip Ocampo on November 24 from 6:00-7:30 PM ET for a virtual panel discussion speaking to art existing outside the traditional white cube. Hosted by STEPS and Klondike Institute of Art & Culture as part of CreateSpace Public Art Residency’s free public programming, the panelists will explore the value and place of alternative presentation models as a space for accessibility and activism across Canada.

Artist: PUFF Paddy
Photo Credit: Wayne Tsaur

Yue Moon 完滿: Tiger With Wings 如虎添翼 is the third iteration of the Yue Moon 完滿 series, a community-engaged, interdisciplinary public art project in partnership with Chinatown BIA. Join artists Paddy Leung and Meegan Lim to escape the cold winter through collaborative art-making workshops to animate the streets of Toronto’s Chinatown in time for the 2022 Lunar New Year celebrations!

Artist: Fatspatrol
Photo Credit: May Shi

Internationally-recognized artist Fatspatrol engaged with North York communities through online workshops where participants created artwork that culminated in large-scale vinyl window murals at Finch West, Downsview Park and York University TTC subway stations. Through the project’s partnership with FLAP Canada, these bird-safe murals also protect birds from collisions during the fall migration season. Stay tuned for information about a self-guided walking tour through the STEPS app and new AR features with the support of Seneca 360!

Artist: Gosia Komorski
Photo Credit: Selina McCallum

It’s a wrap for Gosia’s latest mural in collaboration with BMO Canada, STEPS and a talented team of artist collaborators at 2454 Yonge St, Toronto (Yonge-Roselawn)! Based on Gosia’s series “Visual Biographies” and community feedback, the mural illustrates the joys of the Yonge and Eglington community through colourful patterns, imagery of nature and portraits of community members.

On November 17th, Gosia took over the STEPS Instagram to reflect upon her experience on this project and share more about her practice!

Artist: Bruno Canadien
Photo Credit: Jeremy Pavka

Congratulations to CreateSpace artist-in-residence Bruno Canadien for completing his second largest mural Source of Life at Foothills Family Medical Centre in Black Diamond, Alberta! After months of planning and community collaboration, Bruno’s colourful mural is making a positive impact by brightening up the downtown and encouraging reflections on the many changes to communities caused by settlement.

Artist: Yasmeen Nematt Alla
Photo Credit: Selina McCallum

Have you seen Yasmeen’s Commuting and Other Lonely Thoughts cards and posters around Toronto TTC stations? This interactive project invites commuters to reflect on their loneliness and can also be spotted at Above Ground (Junction/Beaches location), Akin (St. Clair and Dupont), and 918 Bathurst St. with a special appearance in Alberta coming soon!

CreateSpace is a national virtual residency supporting public art projects by Black, Indigenous and racialized artists across Canada. It is made possible by support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, City of Toronto as part of ArtworxTO, Partners in Art, MAWA, Canada Council for the Arts and Government of Ontario. Stay tuned for the 2022 call for artists!

Photo Credit: Samantha Beltran

As part of From Weeds We Grow, Restoration of Relationship is a project rooted in understanding of the importance of water in cleansing, creating clear intentions and commitments to the land. Community members came together in a virtual space for an evening of teachings about the significance of water, led by artist Lindsey Lickers, Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe and Kanate’hson, Elder Renee Thomas-Hill. 

Lindsey also facilitated a beading workshop along the banks of the Humber River in Rowntree Mills Park. Together, participants reflected upon their individual relationships with the environment to create beaded artworks, now showcased on the STEPS website and in-person at the Albion Public Library.

Artists: Shalak Attack, Edan Maxam and Kseniya Tsoy
Photo Credit: Mila Bright

Thanks to everyone who joined the Daily Migration team for the unveiling of the spectacular 1,400 sq ft. mural transforming Wilson TTC Station (North York) into a vibrant cultural space for 17,000+ daily commuters! This participatory public art project began in 2020 through community engagement sessions and art-making workshops with mural production beginning in September to present a visual journey of shared stories about arrival, departure and home. Visit the mural and tag @STEPSPublicArt to share your stories!

Supporting artists and arts workers, especially those who face barriers in accessing public art opportunities, is at the core of STEPS’ mandate. Below are some of the current opportunities on our radar.

• Artist Call, Akin Studio Program (Ddln: Nov 22, 2021)
• Artist Call, Michael Garron Hospital (Ddln: Nov 26, 2021)
• Call for Submissions, Stride Gallery (Ddln: Nov 28, 2021)
• RFP, Digital Outdoors Tech Solutions, Luminato (Ddln: Nov 29, 2021)
• Artist Call, Public Artwork for Davisville (Ddln: Nov 29, 2021)
• Ontario Artist Call, Laidlaw Foundation (Ddln: Nov, 29, 2021)
• Arts for Youth Nominations, TAF (Ddln: Dec 3, 2021)
• Breakthrough Artist Nominations, TAF (Ddln: Dec 3, 2021)
• Cultural Life Nominations, TAF (Ddln: Dec 3, 2021)
• Indigenous Media Art Mentorship Program (Ddln: Dec 5, 2021)
• Artist Call, Mondo Forma/School for Climate (Ddln: Dec 5, 2021)
• Animating Parks Grant, Toronto Arts Council (Ddln: Dec 6, 2021)
• Artist Call, ArtworxTO Legacy Artist in Residence (Ddln: Dec 13, 2021)
• Call for Canadian Artists with Disabilities, AANM (Rolling Deadline)
• BIPOC Muralist Artist Call, Mississauga Arts Council (Rolling Deadline)
• Artist Call, Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery Registry (Rolling Deadline)
• Scarborough Artist Call, Scarbrite Features (Rolling Deadline)
• COVID-19 Artist Recovery Fund, City of Brampton (Rolling Deadline)
• Call for Film Submissions, Mayworks 2022 (Rolling Deadline)
• Niagara Artist Call, Downtown Bench Beamsville (Rolling Deadline)
• Emerging Artist Call, ArtworxTO, City of Toronto (Rolling Deadline)
• Artist Call: Community Public Art Project, Burlington (Rolling Deadline)
• Artist Call: Boxes/Banners, Mississauga Arts Council (Rolling Deadline)
• StreetARToronto Support Mural Program (Rolling Deadline)