Item - 2018.LS24.5

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the list of projects for the 2018 StreetARToronto Partnership Program included in Attachment 2 to the report (March 23, 2018) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to investigate costs, eligibility criteria, funding options (including Sections 37 and 45 of the Planning Act), and an implementation process to initiate a StreetARToronto Program to install artwork on construction hoarding erected to facilitate the development or renovation of City of Toronto assets such as buildings, parks, and other major projects where the hoarding will be in place for a minimum of one year and to report back to the Licensing and Standards Committee in the first quarter of 2019.

The Director, Public Realm Section, Transportation Services, gave a presentation on the Graffiti Management Plan - StreetARToronto 2018 Partnership Program Recommendations.

StreetARToronto (StART) is a partnership program launched in 2012 as a central feature of the City's Graffiti Management Plan. It is a proactive approach to eliminating graffiti vandalism, adding character and visual interest to City streets, showcasing professional artists, mentoring emerging artists, and reinforcing Toronto's reputation as a centre of creativity and talent. StART is administered by the Transportation Services, Public Realm Section, which is also responsible for coordinating and implementing all non-enforcement related components of the Graffiti Management Plan.

Over the past six years, StART has developed a suite of programs to respond appropriately to the needs and local conditions of the many diverse communities within the City. In delivering these programs, StART engages and links residents, business owners and operators, community groups, artists, and arts organizations with each other, as well as with City staff and Councillors. To ensure broad geographical reach of street art projects across the City, Public Realm staff conducted information sessions in all four districts and encouraged potential applicants to develop projects for locations in all wards with a focus on projects in wards with limited street art installations. To expand the diversity of artists participating in the program, individual artists and artist collectives as well as not-for-profit organizations are now eligible to submit proposals.

This report recommends funding for 14 mural projects to be delivered by community-based organizations, artists, and artist collectives under the 2018 StART Partnership Program, including projects in three wards which have not yet had a StART Partnership Program mural installation. The recommended list of projects includes seven individual artists or artist collectives and seven not-for-profit organizations.