Call to Scarborough Artists: 2026 Cultural Hotspot Art Commissions, Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park

The City of Toronto invites visual artists based in Scarborough to submit their portfolios to be considered for three commissioned artworks. Each work will be featured during the 2026 Cultural Hotspot program in the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood.

Scarborough Town Centre, location of artwork installation

Escalator and Stage Backdrop Vinyl Artwork

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026, 11:59pm ET

The City of Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot program seeks to commission a mid-career or established artist, graphic artist or illustrator to create an original artwork. Vinyl artwork will be displayed at Scarborough Town Centre on glass panels of two escalators and on stage in the front of the elevator for a public event in June. Final designs will be due in May 2026.

Eligibility

This call is open to mid-career and established visual artists living in Scarborough. Artists who live in or demonstrate a connection to Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood and artists with experience in producing work on vinyl will be given priority. Artists must have the ability to provide the artwork as high-resolution digital files suitable for large format printing. City of Toronto employees are not eligible to submit.

Artists from equity-deserving communities (persons with disabilities, women, Indigenous, Black, persons of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, undocumented workers, immigrants and refugees, persons with low income, youth) and/or vulnerable populations (seniors, residents in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, persons with low literacy, persons who are homeless or under-housed, victims of violence) are encouraged to submit.

Project Requirements

Escalator pieces, each sized at 24″ x 322.5″, not including base and top of escalator. Exact specifications will be provided to the selected artist. Stage backdrop is sized at 120″ x 92″. Imagery is to represent Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood, including but not limited to landmarks, community leaders, representations of art, culture and community.

Selection Process

Selections will be based on merits of the artwork, technical feasibility and the artist’s connection to the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood. City staff may use publicly available sources to verify artist information (i.e. websites, social media, etc.).

Artist Fee

Submitting artists are asked to include a budget range/quote. Selected artist will be entered into a contract with the City of Toronto. Detailed specifications and requirements will be discussed before signing the contract and the City recognizes that the quote may change from the initial quote. The City endeavours to pay the artist according to CARFAC guidelines. Fabrication, installation and printing costs are covered separately by the City.

How to Submit:

Eligible artists can email culturalhotspot@toronto.ca with:

• A short paragraph describing their connection to Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park or Scarborough (i.e. live in the area, professionally based in the area, have a history of working in the area, etc.), and creative practice.
• Artist website and/or social media links, if applicable.
• A portfolio containing 5 to 10 past relevant original works. No AI generated artwork will be accepted.
• Estimated budget range/quote.

Tote bag from 2025 Cultural Hotspot program in Jane and Finch

T-shirt and Tote Bag Artwork

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026, 11:59pm ET

The City of Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot program seeks to commission two emerging artists, graphic artists, or illustrators, with less than five years of experience, to create a black-and-white original artwork, to be used to promote the 2026 Cultural Hotspot program.

Eligibility

This call is open to emerging visual artists living in Scarborough. Artists who live in or demonstrate connection to Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood will be given priority. Artist must have the ability to produce mock-ups and provide the artwork as digital files suitable for screen printing. City of Toronto employees are not eligible to submit.

Artists from equity-deserving communities (persons with disabilities, women, Indigenous, Black, persons of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, undocumented workers, immigrants and refugees, persons with low income, youth) and/or vulnerable populations (seniors, residents in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, persons with low literacy, persons who are homeless or under-housed, victims of violence) are encouraged to submit.

Project Requirements

1. T-shirt design
   ◦  1 black and white design sized at 20″ x 20″
2. Tote bag design
   ◦  1 black and white design sized at 20″ x 20″

Selection Process

Selections will be based on merits of the artwork and the artist’s connection to the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood. City staff may use publicly available sources to verify artist information (i.e. websites, social media, etc.).

Artist Fee

The commissioned artists will receive:

• $1,000 (+HST if applicable) for T-shirt design
• $1,000 (+HST if applicable) for Tote bag design

Printing costs are covered separately by the City. Artist fees include consultations, revisions, preparation of any documentation, attendance at meetings, artwork delivery and related materials. Artists grant the City of Toronto a royalty-free, non-commercial license to reproduce the final design for promotional and documentation purposes only.

How to Submit:

Eligible artists can email culturalhotspot@toronto.ca with:

• A short paragraph describing their connection to Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park or Scarborough (i.e. live in the area, professionally based in the area, have a history of working in the area, etc.) and their creative practice.
• Artist website and/or social media links, if applicable.
• A portfolio containing 5 to 10 past relevant original works. No AI generated artwork will be accepted.

For more information or to request accommodation for your submission contact the Cultural Hotspot staff at culturalhotspot@toronto.ca or call 416-398-0603.

About Cultural Hotspot

The Cultural Hotspot is an annual arts program that celebrates Toronto’s outside-the-core communities. Delivered in collaboration with local arts and community organizations, the program provides valuable opportunities for youth job placement and mentorship through workshops, exhibits, events and more.

In 2026, the Cultural Hotspot will highlight the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood. This includes communities in the geographic boundaries of Ellesmere Road to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, Markham Road to the west and Manse/Conlins Roads to the east.

For more information about the Cultural Hotspot including its upcoming funding opportunities, visit: toronto.ca/CulturalHotspot

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Image Descriptions:
1. View of Scarborough Town Centre elevator and escalators, location of artwork installation.
2. Tote bag from 2025 Cultural Hotspot program in Jane and Finch.
3. An artist makes a brush stroke in a notebook at his desk.