Item - 2018.ED27.6

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1. The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Acting Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, conduct a review of the independent report titled "Redefining Public Art in Toronto" prepared by the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University and the University of Toronto, in consultation with stakeholders including the report’s lead authors and comment on the feasibility of recommendations identified in the report, and report back on any recommendations and steps required to enhance the City of Toronto's commitment to public art.

Investing in arts and culture builds a stronger economy and a more liveable city. Public art is a vital element of this, as it increases access to the arts, and enlivens our public spaces.

The Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University and the University of Toronto have collaborated on an in-depth report entitled Redefining Public Art in Toronto, which examines ways to make Toronto a world leader in public art projects. Researchers examined Toronto's history of public art projects dating from 1967 to 2015, and made a number of recommendations including updating the City's public art policy, improving funding mechanisms, and opening up the definition of "public art" to include digital and performance art, while integrating public art into all future planning.