Request for Proposals

Art Installations for DesignTO Festival • January 23 – February 1, 2026

Deadline

11:59 pm, Friday August 29th, 2025

Installation Details

Overview

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA  is seeking proposals for art installations as part of the 2026 DesignTO Festival – the largest cultural celebration of design in Canada with over 100 exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA welcomes visual artists, sculptors, designers, architects, and others to submit proposals of all mediums. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is seeking medium to large-scale installations to be displayed in the installation exhibit areas that speak to the theme for the Yonge + St Clair neighbourhood: Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride — or a critical reflection thereof.

Duration

10 days • January 23 – February 1, 2026
(potential to extend for certain sites)

Sites

• 2 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
• 2 St. Clair Ave E – 1 installation (Location images)
• 30 St. Clair AveW, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
• 40 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
• 55 St. Clair Ave W, Lobby – 1 installation (Location images)
• 95 St. Clair Ave W, Gallery – 1 installation (Location images)
• 1521 Yonge St, Window – 1 installation (Location images)

Power supply, or additional operational and infrastructure assistance may be provided on-site at the discretion of the review panel.

These locations are accessible and include appropriate accommodations.

Submission Details

Budget

Artists will receive a $4000-$5000 (inclusive of tax) budget per installation (includes artist fee and the cost of supplies/materials) to support the production of their installation. A brief artist bio will be displayed with the works.

TO NOTE: Applicants can submit a proposal for multiple sites, however, the panel may only select 1 of your submitted installations. Preference will be given to proposals that are site-specific.

Criteria

+ Submit installations separately and specifically for each installation area

+ Installation must fill all spaces appropriately

+ Artists retain ownership of their work after the exhibition period

+ Large-scale installations are strongly encouraged

+ Artist must handle all associated costs for installation and de-installation

+ If working at heights, artists and/or installers are required to have the appropriate certifications

+ Must adhere to DesignTO Artistic Guidelines https://designto.org/designto-festival-artistic-guideline/

+ Alignment with the theme: Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride (or Critique)

Eligibility

Preference will be given to artists who are available in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area

Site Tours

Applicants are encouraged to independently visit the installation exhibit locations during publicly accessible hours. Office lobbies are open to the public Monday – Friday 7:00 – 6:00pm Saturday – Sunday 11:00 – 6:00pm.
Please submit any inquiries regarding site details to info@yongestclair.ca 

Timeline

August 29, 2025 – Proposals due

September 12, 2025 – Artists are selected

October 10, 2025 – Artists submissions due to DesignTO for program inclusion

October 24, 2025 – Event Listing Due to DesignTO (includes project title, description, and images)

November 2025 – DesignTO announces full festival schedule

January 21-22, 2026 – Installation period (flexible for some sites)

January 23, 2026 – First day of exhibit

February 1, 2026 – Last day of exhibit

Proposal Package Requirements

* To be delivered via DropBox link or email to info@yongestclair.ca // Subject line: DesignTO Festival 2026 – Art Proposal – Your Name

1. Artist Information: Including your name, telephone number, email, project title, and 100-word artist bio. 
2. Executive Summary: Provide a brief description (300 words max.) of your proposition in relation to the selected site and specified theme (Canadian Identity and Canadian Pride – or Critique).
3. Artistic Concept: Please outline your design proposal (images, sketches, renders, descriptions, precedents, and/or colour schemes). If the works are already produced, submit dimensions and high-resolution photos. 
4. Budget: General breakdown of project budget.
5. Current Resume: Include prior relevant education, work experience, exhibition history, samples of work, and awards.

We look forward to your ideas and proposals!

Submit your proposal(s) to info@yongestclair.ca. Deadline: Aug 29th, 2025

Yonge + St. Clair BIA
yongestclair.ca
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