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June 30, 2026

Call for Artists DesignTO 2027

Request for Proposals

Art Installations for DesignTO Festival • January 23 – 31, 2027

Deadline

11:59 pm, Sunday September 13th, 2026

Installation Details

Overview

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA  is seeking proposals for art installations as part of the 2027 DesignTO Festival – Canada’s largest annual celebration of art and design with over 100 exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA welcomes artists, architects, designers, fabricators and multidisciplinary creatives to submit ambitious, site-specific installations that activate space, encourage exploration, and create memorable experiences. The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is seeking medium to large-scale installations to be displayed throughout Yonge + St. Clair, reaching thousands of residents, office workers, and visitors. In addition, each installation will receive exposure through DesignTO Festival’s marketing channels, guided walking tours, artist talks, and neighbourhood programming. The theme for the Yonge + St Clair neighbourhood this year is: Intersections.

Yonge + St. Clair has long been a place where people, ideas and city life intersect. Situated between downtown and uptown Toronto, the neighbourhood brings together residents, businesses, office workers and visitors while continuing to evolve through significant growth and investment. These intersections between communities, disciplines, history, and progress shape the identity of the neighbourhood and the experiences of those who move through it each day.

Artists are invited to interpret Intersections through their own creative and critical lens. Proposals may explore themes of convergence, transformation, movement, identity, exchange, and/or the evolving relationship between people and place. The theme is intentionally broad, encouraging innovative responses that activate the selected site.

Duration

10 days • January 22 – January 31, 2027
(potential to extend for certain sites)

Sites

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 $5000-$7000 (inclusive of HST, artist fees, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation and de-installation) budget to support the production of their installation. Applicants are encouraged to request only the funding necessary to successfully realize their proposal. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate exceptional value while maximizing the visual impact and activation of the selected site. A brief artist bio will be displayed with the works.

Budgets must include a detailed line-item breakdown outlining all anticipated project costs. Generalized or lump-sum budgets will not be considered. Artists retain ownership of their work following the exhibition unless otherwise agreed.

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

+ Respond thoughtfully to the exhibition theme.

+ Be designed specifically for a selected site.

+ Maximize the scale and spatial potential of the selected site.

+ Create an engaging public experience through immersion, interaction or visual impact.

+ Be achievable within the proposed budget and timeline.

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

+ Comply with DesignTO Festival Artistic Guidelines

+ Alignment with the theme: Intersections 

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to emerging and established artists, designers, architects, and creative practitioners working in any medium. Preference will be given to applicants based 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 7:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday – Sunday 11:00am – 6:00pm. Please submit any inquiries regarding site details to [email protected]

Timeline

Date                                     
September 13, 2026, Submission deadline
Late September 2026, Artists selected
October 2026, Final project information submitted to DesignTO
November 2026, DesignTO Festival announcement
January 14-21, 2027, Installation period
January 22–31, 2027, Exhibition
February 1–2, 2027, De-installation (unless exhibit extended)

Proposal Package Requirements

Submit proposals electronically via email or Dropbox link. // Subject line: DesignTO Festival 2027 – Installation Name – Artist Name

Submit one (1) PDF for your proposed installation(s) containing:

  1. Artist Information: Including your name, phone number, email, project title, and brief artist biography (maximum 300 words).
  2. Executive Summary: A concise project description (between 500 & 1,000 words) outlining your concept, how it responds to the selected site and its relationship to the exhibition theme (Intersections).
  3. Artistic Concept: Visual material sufficient to communicate your proposal, including sketches, renderings, diagrams, precedent images, material samples, and/or photographs of existing work. If the works are already produced, submit dimensions and high-resolution photos.
  4. Budget: A detailed line-item breakdown outlining all anticipated project costs. Generalized or lump-sum budgets will not be considered.
  5. Current Resume: Include prior relevant certifications, work experience, exhibition history, samples of work, and/or awards.

Applicants may submit proposals for multiple locations; however, each proposal must be submitted separately and tailored to its intended site. 

We look forward to receiving proposals that contribute to the evolving identity of Yonge + St. Clair while creating memorable experiences during DesignTO Festival 2027.

Submit your proposal(s) to [email protected]. Deadline: Sept 13th, 2026

Yonge + St. Clair BIA
yongestclair.ca
[email protected]
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