Call to Scarborough Artists: 2026 Cultural Hotspot Art Commissions, Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park

There are two commission streams:

1. Escalator and Stage Backdrop Vinyl Artwork — The City of Toronto's Cultural Hotspot program seeks to commission a mid-career or established artist, graphic artist or illustrator to create an original artwork. Vinyl artwork will be displayed at Scarborough Town Centre on glass panels of two escalators and on stage in the front of the elevator for a public event in June. Final designs will be due in May 2026. Escalator pieces, each sized at 24″ x 322.5″, not including base and top of escalator. Stage backdrop is sized at 120″ x 92″. Imagery is to represent Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood, including but not limited to landmarks, community leaders, representations of art, culture and community. Submitting artists are asked to include a budget range/quote. The City endeavours to pay the artist according to CARFAC guidelines. Fabrication, installation and printing costs are covered separately by the City.

2. T-shirt and Tote Bag Artwork — The City of Toronto's Cultural Hotspot program seeks to commission two emerging artists, graphic artists, or illustrators, with less than five years of experience, to create a black-and-white original artwork, to be used to promote the 2026 Cultural Hotspot program. T-shirt design: 1 black and white design sized at 20″ x 20″. Tote bag design: 1 black and white design sized at 20″ x 20″. The commissioned artists will receive $1,000 (+HST if applicable) for T-shirt design and $1,000 (+HST if applicable) for Tote bag design. Printing costs are covered separately by the City. Artist fees include consultations, revisions, preparation of any documentation, attendance at meetings, artwork delivery and related materials.

Artists from equity-deserving communities (persons with disabilities, women, Indigenous, Black, persons of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, undocumented workers, immigrants and refugees, persons with low income, youth) and/or vulnerable populations are encouraged to submit.

The Cultural Hotspot is an annual arts program that celebrates Toronto's outside-the-core communities. In 2026, the Cultural Hotspot will highlight the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood.