Public Art
Future Public Art Projects
Downtown Oshawa Urban Square Public Art
The City of Oshawa is excited to engage the community in our first independent, permanent public sculpture commission. The artwork, commissioned as part of the City’s Centennial celebrations, will be installed in the upcoming Downtown Oshawa Urban Square at the intersection of Bond Street East and Simcoe Street North, in the heart of downtown Oshawa.
The park and artwork reflect the City’s commitment and desire to connect and engage with the community by transforming the spaces where people live, work, learn and play into vibrant, inviting and meaningful public places.
The City aims to support and celebrate Canadian talent by commissioning its first public sculpture. It also hopes to engage the community and contribute to the overall appeal of our city centre.
The City’s Public Art Task Force and a Public Art Jury formed for this project will guide the two-stage selection process. The public will have the opportunity to meet the artists and provide feedback on their proposals later this year.
The budget for the artwork, including artist fees, engineering, materials and installation is $145,000.
Public Art Collection
The City of Oshawa has a collection of murals, sculptures and monuments. These works have been acquired independently and in partnership with external organizations and agencies.
What is Public Art?
Public art is art in any medium located in a public space. Public art and public artworks are original art created for or located in public spaces, accessible to the public at no cost. Public Art can be found anywhere in or on City-owned buildings and spaces in Oshawa.
Public art plays a role in beautifying the community, engaging residents creating a sense of place, creating links to economic growth and strengthening tourism.
What are Types of Public Art?
Public Art installations may include (but are not limited to): sculptures, murals, street art, mosaics, two-dimensional artworks, interactive artworks, temporary installations, and community art projects. Monuments, water and outdoor garden features, street furniture/functional art and engineering or architectural features can also be public art if they include a strong design and/or integrated artistic feature.
Public Art Policy & Public Art Master Plan
The City of Oshawa has a Public Art Policy and Public Art Master Plan, which together guide the ongoing implementation of the City's Public Art Program.