Master Plans & Studies
Public Art Master Plan
Contact Us
For questions or additional information
Email [email protected]
Call 905-546-2424 x7612
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 priorities of Hamilton residents for their public spaces. The development of a new PAMP requires community input from multiple consultation methods and partners. We will share opportunities for community input and as the Public Art Master Plan develops.
Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036
Steering Committee
An open call was issued Fall 2024 for citizens to apply to join the PAMP Steering Committee. Sixteen community leaders from a variety of backgrounds were selected to help guide the 2026-2036 Public Art Master Plan. Members of the PAMP Steering Committee 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.
City-wide Consultation
Broad-based consultation has been (and will continue to be) conducted through the City of Hamilton Engage Platform, both to gather feedback on community priorities for Public Art and to test the draft of the Public Art Master Plan (forthcoming). Please visit the Public Art Master Plan Engage page for more detail and to see citizen submissions of public art Ideas and Stories. https://engage.hamilton.ca/publicartmasterplan
As part of a campaign to encourage broader participation in the Ideas and Stories Engage tools, City Staff visited four Tim Hortons in various Hamilton neighbourhoods – offering gift cards to incentivize on-the-spot participation.
Community Partner-Led Consultation
Conducting inclusive and comprehensive consultation is key to shaping a new Public Art Master Plan that is reflective of and responsive to community priorities. We have engaged multiple Community Consultation Partners who have crafted customized consultation plans to engage the communities they serve. We are grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their support in PAMP consultation:
- Hamilton Arts Council
- Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion
- Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
- Afro Canadian Caribbean Association
- Kawennakon Bonnie Whitlow (with Hamilton Regional Indian Centre)
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 worked 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 Interactive, 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 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.
The Jump Around station appeared 16 community events and public locations including libraries, the Hamilton Farmers Market, 541 Barton, community festivals, high schools, queer dance parties and more, collecting responses from over 700 residents. Findings will inform the development of the 2026-2036 PAMP.
Watch the "Jump Around, A Disco Game Show" video to view the results of the Artist-Led consultation:
Internal Consultation
In an effort to create a well-integrated 2026-2036 PAMP, Placemaking and Public Art staff are meeting with staff across many departments (including but not limited to: Parks, LRT, Climate Office, Public Health, Economic Development) to identify opportunities and priorities that could be supported through Public Art. Meetings are also being conducted with Councillors to identify ward priorities and potential projects.
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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