City asks residents to help select public art to honour Hamilton’s healthcare providers

HAMILTON, ON - The City of Hamilton is asking for the public’s help to select the final public art submissions aimed at honouring the work of Hamilton’s healthcare providers.

Building on the success of the Downtown Utility Box Wraps Public Art project last year, artists were asked to propose vibrant, positive designs focused on celebrating the contributions of Hamilton’s healthcare community in these challenging times. Up to 15 designs will be selected, awarded $650 and installed on graffiti-resistant wraps this fall on select traffic signal boxes at the Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Charlton and West Fifth locations. The deadline for the public to share their selections is Monday, September 7, 2020. Results will be posted to the project webpage later this summer.

Earlier this month, a volunteer jury of healthcare workers, graphic designers and artists reviewed 92 artists’ submissions and have short-listed 20 designs for public input. To determine the winning proposals, public input will be considered with other criteria such as; artistic excellence, response to context, and potential technical issues with installation.

To learn more about the project, review the proposals and provide input, please visit www.hamilton.ca/healthcaretrafficboxart

Quick Facts

• The City defines public art as art created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing on publicly owned and accessible property. Public art helps strengthen the city’s visual identity, stimulates the economy, and enhances tourism and community pride.
• Since 2010, the City’s public art program has received over 600 artist proposals, consulted with over 8400 members of the public and awarded 53 public art commissions.
• This project seeks to deter graffiti while improving the quality of our shared public spaces with art works that are vibrant and meaningful.

Additional Resources

www.hamilton.ca/publicart

“This project provided the City with an opportunity to support artists and for artists to provide some joy and express our collective thanks to the healthcare sector as we move through these difficult times.”

Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Director Tourism and Culture Division