The mission of the City of Burlington's Public Art Program is to enhance the quality of life in Burlington through the rich context of the arts. The program strives to bring artwork by both established and emerging artists to the city centre and the neighbourhoods throughout Burlington, Ontario. The Public Art Program provides cultural opportunity, guides the evolution of a vibrant artistic character for the City’s emerging public places, and ensures a visual legacy for all to enjoy.
Request for Expressions of Interest
The Alton Terrace Reimagined
Alton Community Centre, Burlington, Ontario
Deadline: Friday May 15, 2026 Award: $50,000 CAD
To mark the renaming of the Alton Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr., Burlington, ON), the City of Burlington invites professional artists and artist teams to envision an immersive public artwork that celebrates civic identity, collective memory, and community life. This commission seeks to reimagine the Centre not only as a physical destination, but as a living symbol of connection, creativity, and belonging within the Alton neighbourhood.
Alton Terrace Reimagined presents a unique opportunity for artists to shape an urban space in transition. The City is seeking bold and imaginative proposals that weave together artistic expression and functional design, transforming the terrace into a welcoming and dynamic gathering place. Proposals should invite participation, spark curiosity, and foster meaningful connections across generations and cultures, while thoughtfully responding to the site’s histories and character.
This Call to Artists is open to artists working across a wide range of styles and mediums who are inspired to create work that reflects the spirit of Alton and contributes to a shared vision of a vibrant, inclusive public realm.
Conceptual drawings are not required at this time. Applicants are asked to submit a high-level proposal outlining their approach to the project. The selected artist will develop a detailed design and community engagement plan in consultation with staff and the selection panel.
Important! Please download and read the full Call to Artists document as this contains important project information.
Click HERE to read the Alton Terrace Reimagined Call for Artists document (pdf)
Applications must include the following:
1. Expression of Interest Statement:
A high-level statement outlining your interest in this project. Please include the following:
- Describe your artistic practice and why you are interested in this opportunity.
- Please outline any relevant experience or qualifications relating to community engagement or education.
- A high-level outline of your proposed approach to community engagement for this project.
- A high-level description of your proposed design (i.e., your preliminary thoughts on how you would approach the project and how this connects to your artistic practice).
- Please note, design sketches are not required.
2. Biography: A short biography outlining the relevant interests, experiences and qualification of the artist(s). 250 words maximum.
3. Curriculum Vitae (Artist Resume): Outline recent qualifications and artistic activities. If applying as part of a team / artist collective, please submit one consolidated C.V. Four pages maximum.
4. Artwork Samples: Submit up to ten (10) images of your past artwork which best illustrates a related body of artwork to the proposal.
5. Image List: A numbered list that corresponds to the Artwork Samples. Please include the following: title, date, materials, dimensions, locations, commissioning agent or client and budget (if applicable).
Transitions: Civic Square Hoarding Project
Burlington City Hall, Burlington, Ontario
Deadline: May 22, 2026
Award: $400 CAD | 21 commissions available
Artist Opportunity
The City of Burlington is presenting Transitions: Civic Square Hoarding Project, a temporary artwork series to be installed on construction hoarding during the Civic Square Renewal project. This initiative will feature up to 21 artists and writers, showcasing existing works that engage with the theme of transition in diverse and creative ways.
Transitions invites works that reflect on the present moment, consider changes underway, or imagine possibilities ahead. Through this project, construction hoarding will be reimagined as a space for artistic expression, fostering community connection, and celebrating the breadth of local talent.
This call is open to emerging, mid-career, and established Burlington-based visual artists art teams or writers, as well as artists, artist teams and writers at all career stages that are members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or Six Nations of the Grand River, regardless of current residency.
The Civic Square Hoarding project welcomes all art forms that can be presented in a signage format, including but is not limited to visual art, graphic art, illustration, photography, poetry, short story, non-fiction, etc. Photographs of three-dimensional artistic works such as sculpture, fashion and craft may also be submitted. Artists may submit existing work.
Important! Please download and read the full Call to Artists document as this contains important project information.
Download the Call to Artist document (pdf):
Applications must include the following:
- Artwork Statement: Please provide a brief statement (maximum 150 words) outlining your artwork.
- Artwork or Writing Submission:
- Visual Art Submission: You may submit an existing artwork for consideration. Artwork can include visual art, photography, digital illustration, photography of artistic work such as sculpture, craft, etc.
OR
- Writing Submission: Submissions must be a maximum of 150 words. Submissions may be from existing work. It may be a stand-alone piece such as a poem or short story or an excerpt from a larger piece.
3. Artist Biography: Please provide a short (maximum 50 words) artist biography written in the third person. This biography may be included on the City’s website if your artwork is selected.
About Community Public Art
Are you interested in creating a public art project in your neighbourhood? The City of Burlington public art program is committed to supporting community-led projects by providing public art advice and, where applicable, access to City-owned parks and facilities.
Important! Please read the complete application package (click here) before proceeding with the online application.
What kinds of projects can be considered?
A wide variety of projects will be considered. The goal of this program is to support community and/or artist-led projects that happen in public space. Community public art projects can include, but are not limited to:
- Murals (interior or exterior)
- Two-dimensional works such as mosaics, surface treatments, etc.
- Free-standing sculpture
- Temporary art installations
- Video and LED artworks (digital projections and lighting)
- Artist-designed functional art (benches, bike racks, light standards or other streetscape amenities)
How do I apply?
If you would like to lead a community public art project, the first step is completing this application package (click here to download full document). A staff member will then contact you to outline the application review process and discuss next steps
Participate in a Public Art Jury
Do you love art and your community? Help make your mark on The City of Burlington’s public program by participating in a public art jury. We are looking for local artists, creative professionals and residents to evaluate public art applications throughout the year.
No experience is necessary! Each jury is made up of a mix of arts professionals and residents to represent a broad cross-section of the community.
Simply fill out a brief application form to be added to the jury roster by clicking the 'Submit' button.