Call for Submissions 2025: Beyond the Tarmac

Up to $100,000 in Project Funding

Last Call for Submissions: Beyond the Tarmac
Deadline August 29

Call for interactive public art installations at YZD, the former Downsview Airport lands in Toronto

Available Funding: Up to $100,000
Submission Deadline: August 29, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
Interviews for Shortlisted Applicants: October 1 – 25, 2025

In 2024, Northcrest put out a call for big ideas and received an overwhelming response of more than 80 applications. From those applications, three projects were chosen and produced in 2024—Wonderverse by Reset x Rebuild, John Notten’s Runway Rivers, and Hangar Jam by One Day Creates. Now, for the second year in a row, Northcrest Developments is inviting proposals for a large-scale interactive public art installation at YZD, the 370-acre former Downsview Airport lands in Toronto, Canada.

Where airplanes were once made, a series of vibrant communities are coming in the future. Today, before the site is developed, Northcrest is leading the transformation of YZD, into a new cultural destination. Building on a rich legacy of public gathering, we seek to activate the space pre-development through creativity, culture, and play. The large, industrial site is full of potential—a blank canvas ready to be infused with creativity. Today and tomorrow, this will be a place for big ideas. Do you have one that will take off?

Northcrest Developments is looking for a single project that is imaginative, unique, engaging, visually striking, and that invites public interaction. The work must embody our vision of “Where Creativity Meets Play.”

Your project will be featured as part of our Summer programming at YZD from June 2026 to October 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed).

Key Details

• One project will be selected and awarded a maximum of $100,000.
• The project must be a Public Art Installation that is interactive and playful in nature.
• It must be installed outdoors on a hardscape surface as part of, or adjacent to our YZD Plaza.
• The proposal must fit within, and integrate into, the defined location, avoiding the restricted areas (see Appendix A).
• It must be durable enough to withstand the elements throughout Summer and Fall.
• The project must be free for the public to experience and suitable for daytime hours.
• The project should not require daily operating staff in order for the public to enjoy it.
• The project should align with the YZD placemaking vision: “Where Creativity Meets Play”
• The winner is responsible for all aspects of build, installation, maintenance, and project execution.
• Northcrest Developments will be responsible for marketing and promotion as part of its YZD cultural initiatives.

For inspiration about the site’s history, transformation, and recent artistic activations, visit:

• Northcrest website
• XOXO Downsview
• What’s On section

View of the activation zone (blue) & restricted areas (red).

Eligibility

• This project is guided by the Arts and Culture Downsview Workplan, which prioritizes the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and supporting local and emerging talent. The Work Plan is available here.
• Applicants must have the experience, expertise, and certification (where required) to execute the proposed project.
• Applicants must be available to deliver the project in 2026. A mutually agreeable timeframe will be identified with the selected project.
• The call is open to applicants of all types, including: not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, registered charities, artist collectives, and individuals.
• Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to the GTA, but applications from further afield will be accepted. Remounts of installations are eligible, however preference will be given to projects that are imagined or reimagined specifically for YZD.
• In line with our Community Benefits Plan, priority will be given to: individuals that identify as Indigenous or Black living in Ontario, or equity-deserving living within 10km of the site area; and to entities that are diverse suppliers, social enterprises or local business. Information on the Community Benefit Plan priorities can be found here.

Budget

• Total funding: a maximum of $100,000 (to one awarded project).
• Budget must cover all costs.
• Budgets exceeding $100,000 must secure external funding and disclose said funding in the submission.

Submission Requirements

Submit one PDF containing:

• Project team members (including their role, relevant credentials and contact information), as well as a project lead.
• Proposal overview. What is your proposed project? What makes it noteworthy and able to animate, amaze, awe, amplify and/or engage? And finally, why is YZD the place for this? (max 250 words).
• Site plan showing fit within the available area.
• Statement on how the project uniquely responds to YZD’s placemaking vision of “Where Creativity Meets Play” and how it connects to or integrates within the YZD Plaza (max 250 words).
• Equity, diversity, inclusion, and local support are priorities of the ACD Workplan. Please share, as per your comfort level, details about your team’s identity, perspective, social location and/or connections to YZD and/or the Downsview area that you bring to this project. This statement may also detail plans to incorporate mentorship or peer learning to the project (max 250 words).
• Up to 5 multimedia examples (images, video, or audio—max 5 minutes).
• Full budget breakdown, which may include, but is not limited to; artistic costs, including artists’ fees; expenses, including hospitality, logistics, ground transportation, etc.; production costs, including technical equipment, site operations, signage, build costs, etc.; and health and safety, security, and emergency services. Please also indicate if you have any additional sources of funding that you will bring to the project and whether the funding is confirmed or pending.

How to Submit

Please email your submission to partners@yzd.ca by August 29, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT. WeTransfer links acceptable for large files. Please include the following in the subject line: Beyond the Tarmac Open Call Submission

Timeline

• Call opens: August 6, 2025
• Applications due: August 29, 2025
• Shortlist notified: September 24, 2025
• Interviews: October 1 – October 25, 2025
• Finalist selected: November 2025
• Project installation period: June – October 2026

Additional Notes

• Proposals must adhere to all laws, regulations, and safety standards.
• Selected projects will be promoted widely as part of Northcrest’s broader YZD initiatives.
• All permitting, training, and insurance must be secured by the applicants.
• Projects will be offered support in marketing, PR, and documentation where appropriate following discussions with the winning applicant(s). Equally, winning applicants may be expected to participate in media opportunities (both owned and external) held in collaboration with the Northcrest team.
• Applicants and their work will be acknowledged and celebrated on the YZD and Northcrest Developments website, newsletter, and social media channels.
• The creative rights for the artwork will be retained by the applicants. Northcrest recognizes that all other rights including moral rights are reserved by the winning applicants. Selected applicants will be required to sign a licensing agreement.
• You may visit the site in person which is located at 34 Hanover Rd. North York. It is open daily for all to enjoy and it is actively programmed on Saturdays until the Fall from 11am – 5pm.
• Accommodations available upon request. Contact partners@yzd.ca before August 20, 2025.

Ready for your big idea to take flight? Help build the future of YZD.

For additional information or questions, please visit us online or contact: partners@yzd.ca

Northcrest Developments
yzd.ca | Facebook | Instagram

Accessibility: YZD is fully accessible.

Image Description:
1) An aerial view of the Downsview Airport runways, surrounding buildings, and the Toronto skyline in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
2) Aerial view of the YZD Experience Centre building with a large, colourful mural on its side. The surrounding outdoor plaza is marked with a semi-transparent red and blue overlay indicating the “Activation Zone,” with bold white text reading “Activation Zone” and an arrow pointing.