Master Plans & Studies
Public Art Master Plan
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Engage Hamilton
Help us put the Public in Public Art
The Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) serves as our roadmap for shaping Hamilton's unique character and transforming its public spaces through art. Join the conversation to shape future directions for public art across our city.
The Public Art Master Plan guides the implementation of public art in Hamilton, and outlines the principles by which art is commissioned. The previous public art master plan had an implementation timeframe of 2016-2023, and must now be updated to guide new public art projects and programs for the community.
Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036
The update of the Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) offers the opportunity to ensure that the Plan is a relevant document attuned to the current and future artistic priorities of Hamilton residents. The development of a new PAMP requires community input from multiple consultation methods and partners to determine the community’s priorities as regards art in the public realm. We will share opportunities for community input and as the Public Art Master Plan develops.
Artist-Led Consultation
In June 2024, the City posted a call for expressions of interest from local artists to create an innovative and inviting artwork that would facilitate candid, in-person community feedback on the future of art in public places in Hamilton. The City is working with Centre[4] Art and Research – a collaborative initiative between McMaster University’s Community Research Platform and Centre[3] for Artistic and Social Practice on this project.
BluHeron Collective, working with Indigenous consultant Kawennakon Bonnie Whitlow - Mohawk, Bear Clan were selected to create an artwork to travel to different communities and engage voices that may not typically be captured through traditional engagement methods. The artist team have created Jump Around, A Disco Game Show – a mobile dance station that uses body-sensing technology to let participants control a digital avatar, reflecting their movements and voices while they learn to dance the “Bus Stop” and express their vision for our public spaces. In the artists’ words: “Who do we want to be? Let’s join together and tap our toes, clap our hands, and move our way into discovering how you are represented in community spaces through art.”
Jump Around, A Disco Game Show will be popping up in locations across the city including libraries, the Hamilton Farmers Market, neighbourhood cafes, queer dance parties, community markets and celebrations, high schools and more.
Below is a list of confirmed public appearances (please contact [email protected] for dance station hours). List will be updated as events are confirmed.
- Ottawa Street Festival - December 7, 2024
- Art Crawl at Centre [3] - December 13, 2024
- Hamilton Farmers Market - December 21, 2024
- Hamilton Winter Solstice Festival- Corktown Park - December 21, 2024
- Fruit Salad Winter Snow Ball - January 31, 2025 (ticketed event)
Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036
Steering Committee
The Public Art Master Plan is the City of Hamilton’s tool for deciding how and what type of art gets commissioned for our city’s public spaces. In 2024 & 2025 we have an opportunity to create a dynamic and community-based Masterplan that shapes the future of Public Art in Hamilton from 2025 to 2035.
Members of the PAMP Steering Committee will help shape public consultation, guiding principles for the masterplan, and the creation of an action plan to direct the next few years of public art in Hamilton.
2016 Public Art Master Plan
Public art is defined by the City of Hamilton as original works of art created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing on publicly accessible City of Hamilton property.
Public places are those that are owned and/or managed by the City including parks, trail systems, road allowances, tunnels, courtyards, building exteriors, and interior areas where everybody can go, such as community centres.
Developed in consultation with the public, councillors, City staff, and relevant groups over 2 years, the Public Art Master Plan (2016) identifies these 14 priority sites for public art:
In addition to these priority sites, 85 sites are identified for future consideration should additional staff resources or funding become available.
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