City of Hamilton Seeking Public Opinion - Artwork Proposals to Wrap Traffic Signal Control Boxes

HAMILTON, ON - July 18, 2019 – The public is invited to review proposals, select their favourites and provide comments on 38 shortlisted artists’ proposals for artwork to wrap traffic signal control boxes at intersections across Downtown Hamilton, on or before Monday, August 5, by visiting www.hamilton.ca/trafficboxpublicart, or in person at the Tourism Visitor Centre at 28 James St. N. Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

A volunteer citizen jury has reviewed 137 artists’ submissions and shortlisted 38 based on their response to the project goal and themes, appropriateness for Downtown Hamilton, artistic excellence, technical feasibility and ability to deter graffiti tagging. The public selections and comments will be provided to the citizen jury to be considered among the other criteria in their determination of the winning proposals. These comments and a Jury Report outlining the reasons for their decision will be posted to the project webpage.

Up to 32 art works will be selected with installation planned for late summer. Artists will be awarded $650 per design if their work is selected and installed. The artwork will be printed on graffiti-resistant wraps and installed on select traffic signal control boxes across downtown Hamilton, as defined by the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Plan Area (DHCIPA).

Project Theme

Artists were asked to propose artwork for the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Area (DHCIPA) that is vibrant, positive and reflective of Hamilton’s downtown while addressing one or more of the following:

• Hamilton Through the Ages
• Hamilton Stories
• Hamilton Communities/Street Life

Quick Facts

• This project is funded up to $90K by contributions to the Downtown Hamilton Public Art Reserve from downtown developers.
• Deadline for online comments is Mon. Aug. 5, 2019 at 3 pm
• Winning artists or artist-led teams will be awarded $650 for each design.
• Art to wrap five larger electrical utility boxes in the downtown area is being selected through a separate public art project.
• 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 474 artist proposals, consulted with over 6,250 members of the public and awarded 19 public art commissions.

Resources

• www.hamilton.ca/trafficboxpublicart
• [email protected], 905-546-2424 ext. 6281
• Digital images of the art works are available upon request

“This project received a great response from artists. More than double the number of proposals originally anticipated were submitted. The work promises to make a significant contribution to the streetscapes of downtown.” - Ken Coit, Manager, Placemaking, Public Art and Projects