Client
StreetARToronto

Year Completed
2018

Type of Work
Public Engagement

Partners
Rebecca Carbin, Art + Public UnLtd

Community Engagement & Curatorial Framework

East End Bridges to Art was initiated by Councillor Paula Fletcher who approached StreetARToronto (StART), City of Toronto, in 2017 with the idea of painting a series of murals on the nine rail bridges in the Carlaw-Dundas area.  In order to achieve this goal, Bespoke was engaged to support the project in reaching a diverse range of local community members for input. We worked in collaboration with Rebecca Carbin (Art + Public UnLtd), to deliver fun and productive community engagement sessions and wider public outreach. The sessions were held at a community centre and beloved neighbourhood spot and we invited storytellers to set the tone by reflecting on the unique energy of the neighbourhood. Local residents provided the project with inspiring input around how to create an integrated theme that reflect the DNA of the neighbourhoods.

Through digital surveys, in-person work sessions and a juried selection committee we developed a curatorial framework, an integrated approach to inform artistic themes and a talented shortlist of artists. This initiative was launched in 2018, and two site specific sub-themes helped to guide the first two art commissions this year.