Call for Submissions: StreetARToronto Partnership Program 2023

Lead Artist: Leyland Adams (@leylandadams), Partner – CNIB, Photo by Katherine Fleitas (@peacephoto2012), 2022

StreetARToronto 2023 StART Partnership Program Applications Now Open!

Deadline: July 25, 2023
Application Link

About The Partnership Program

The 2023 StART Partnership Program is a two-stage application process. Stage one is for consulting and working with the community beginning in Fall 2023. Stage two is for the mural production work in 2024.

The two-stage process will create more time and space for public consultation and community engagement work prior to mural production. Recommended projects will get announced in Fall 2023 to allow for community work to get conducted over the winter months with a mural production schedule to align for Spring/Summer/Fall 2024.

StART strives to support a diverse range of artists and organizations, increase mentorship opportunities through street art installations, develop the talents of local emerging artists and expand the variety and scope of projects supported every year.

All proposed projects and their related activities must be located within the City of Toronto with maximum street visibility and neighbourhood impact. Written authorization from the property owner is required at the time of application.

Projects must demonstrate a strong community engagement component. StART requires applicants to host public consultations or events to inform the community about their projects and obtain feedback, to help create a sense of belonging among all. Mentorship or training opportunities for youth or emerging artists are encouraged.

Submissions are evaluated by an Advisory Committee using a consistent set of assessment criteria. For projects that are recommended for funding, the external advisory committee will determine which ones get produced based on how well developed the community consultation and engagement sessions are outlined and planned. Remember that the Partnership Program is intended for projects that work with a community.

New changes to the StART Partnership Program 2023-2024 include:

• City of Toronto-owned infrastructure is not eligible for the Partnership Program, e.g. ground murals, sound walls, retaining walls, underpasses, community centres, etc. These surfaces and structures are managed through other StART application-based programs.
• The maximum amount of funding for the Partnership Program is $70,000 to complete both the community engagement work and mural production work.
• Public consultation and community engagement work should not exceed $20,000 of requested funds from StART.
• For requests under $30,000, 10% of the total budget requested from StART needs to be reflected as in-kind contributions.
• For requests between $30,000-$70,000, 10% of the total budget requested from StART needs to be reflected as in-kind contributions and 10% as cash contributions.
• A minimum of two community engagement sessions is required with the community. (Minimum 1 in-person)
• Stage one funding will seed the project’s public consultation and community engagement work.
• After this work is complete, a final report with an updated work plan and revised production budget must be submitted to StreetARToronto (StART) in Spring 2024 to be eligible for stage two.
• Stage two funding for street art production is subject to satisfactory completion of the community engagement and public consultation requirements and submission of documentation to StART.

Lead Artist: Jacquie Comrie (@jacquiecomrie), Produced by Friends of Beach Parks (@friendsofthebeachparks), Photo by Lisa MacIntosh (@lisamacintosh_photography), 2021

Types of Applicants

Artist
StART programs fund emerging, mid-career and established mural, street and graffiti artists working in aerosol, latex, acrylic and/or other paint mediums. StART defines a street artist as someone who has completed basic training (not necessarily at a formal educational institution) and who has maintained an independent street art practice for at least one year.

Artist Collective
StART programs fund Artist Collectives comprised of emerging, mid-career and/or established mural, street and graffiti artists working in aerosol, latex, acrylic and/or other paint media. StART defines a street art Artist Collective as a group of artists most of who have completed basic training (not necessarily at a formal educational institution) and who have maintained an independent street art practice for at least one year. You may register a collective under the name of the Lead Artist, or the name of the Collective. If a grant is recommended for your project, funds will be payable to the applicant’s name, so you must be able to open a bank account for the group or the Lead Artist.

Cultural Producer (non-commercial)
StART Partnership Program funds individuals who operate on a non-profit basis to produce works of street art that are located within Toronto. In their capacity as cultural producers, the individual works closely with and on behalf of street artists to prepare funding applications and manage all aspects of a street art installation.

Organization (Not-For-Profit)
StART Partnership Program funds incorporated non-profit organizations and unincorporated collectives that operate on a non-profit basis, that are located within Toronto.

About StreetARToronto (StART)

StreetARToronto (StART) comprises a suite of innovative programs specifically designed for streets and public spaces. StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make our streets more inviting and safe, reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, and create opportunities for positive engagement among residents, business owners and operators, artists, and arts organizations. Individually and collectively StART murals are designed to celebrate the City of Toronto motto “Diversity Our Strength” and foster a greater sense of belonging among all. StART welcomes and actively seeks out partners for initiatives that support program objectives and works closely with partnership staff in other City divisions and agencies and supports City partnership activities.

Additional Notes

When preparing your application, please consider that StreetARToronto is seeking a wide geographic distribution of projects that are led by a variety of artists and organizations.

Please note that artists and organizations may not receive funding for multiple partnership projects in a given year.

If you are a first-time applicant to the StreetARToronto Partnership Program it is strongly recommended to reach out to the StART Team prior to submitting your application.

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible City and building an inclusive society while providing an accessible environment in which all individuals have access to the City’s services and programs in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. The City affirms its commitment to meet the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Any questions relating to the application process can be sent to streetart@toronto.ca

Deadline: July 25, 2023
Application Link