Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036

Share Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036 on Facebook Share Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036 on Twitter Share Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036 on Linkedin Email Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036 link

City of Hamilton's Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) serves as our roadmap for shaping Hamilton's unique character and transforming its public spaces through art. This long-term strategy aims to:

  • Enhance public spaces;
  • Celebrate the unique and diverse identity of our communities;
  • Promote local culture and storytelling;
  • Establish standards and guidelines to support and strengthen access to public art; and;
  • Support local artists and arts communities.

How we can define public art
Publicly commissioned art is artwork created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing in a publicly accessible City of Hamilton owned or managed location. It can exist in the form of murals, functional pieces, temporary or permanent installations, integrated into community design, or take other forms..

Where we've been
Hamilton's current PAMP was established in 2016 and has achieved a great deal in shaping the city's cultural landscape. Benefits of our current PAMP include:

  • Added 11 new permanent public art pieces, guided by a new policy for artist selection;
  • Built a transparent public art process involving over 10,000 community members;
  • Supported local economy by supporting artists, engineers, fabricators, and consultants;
  • Enhanced gathering spaces, promoting safety and community connection;
  • Strengthened neighborhood identity and celebrated local stories; and;
  • Improved streetscape with functional and artistic elements.

Where we're going
To help shape the future of public art, it's time to renew our Public Art Master Plan for 2026-2036. As Hamilton continues to grow and the landscape of public art evolves, the City is re-imagining its Public Art Master Plan. This renewal of focus will reflect the shifting social, cultural, and artistic worldviews that are significant in shaping our community through public art.

We invite residents to join the conversation in shaping the future directions for public art across our city.

NEW for round 2 of the PAMP survey: Submit your Stories & Ideas

By responding to one or both of the Ideas or stories tools you will be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card to a Hamilton movie theatre of your choice or CF Limeridge Mall (2 chances to win!). Review the Official Contest Rules

  • To submit your story and / or idea, you will be required to provide a screen name and valid email address.
  • You are not required to use your legal name for your submission, however your email address is required and will be used to contact you should you be selected in one of the gift card draws.
  • Once your story / idea is submitted, it will be published with only your selected screen name. Others will be able to like or comment on your story. Your email will not be published.

City of Hamilton's Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) serves as our roadmap for shaping Hamilton's unique character and transforming its public spaces through art. This long-term strategy aims to:

  • Enhance public spaces;
  • Celebrate the unique and diverse identity of our communities;
  • Promote local culture and storytelling;
  • Establish standards and guidelines to support and strengthen access to public art; and;
  • Support local artists and arts communities.

How we can define public art
Publicly commissioned art is artwork created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing in a publicly accessible City of Hamilton owned or managed location. It can exist in the form of murals, functional pieces, temporary or permanent installations, integrated into community design, or take other forms..

Where we've been
Hamilton's current PAMP was established in 2016 and has achieved a great deal in shaping the city's cultural landscape. Benefits of our current PAMP include:

  • Added 11 new permanent public art pieces, guided by a new policy for artist selection;
  • Built a transparent public art process involving over 10,000 community members;
  • Supported local economy by supporting artists, engineers, fabricators, and consultants;
  • Enhanced gathering spaces, promoting safety and community connection;
  • Strengthened neighborhood identity and celebrated local stories; and;
  • Improved streetscape with functional and artistic elements.

Where we're going
To help shape the future of public art, it's time to renew our Public Art Master Plan for 2026-2036. As Hamilton continues to grow and the landscape of public art evolves, the City is re-imagining its Public Art Master Plan. This renewal of focus will reflect the shifting social, cultural, and artistic worldviews that are significant in shaping our community through public art.

We invite residents to join the conversation in shaping the future directions for public art across our city.

NEW for round 2 of the PAMP survey: Submit your Stories & Ideas

By responding to one or both of the Ideas or stories tools you will be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card to a Hamilton movie theatre of your choice or CF Limeridge Mall (2 chances to win!). Review the Official Contest Rules

  • To submit your story and / or idea, you will be required to provide a screen name and valid email address.
  • You are not required to use your legal name for your submission, however your email address is required and will be used to contact you should you be selected in one of the gift card draws.
  • Once your story / idea is submitted, it will be published with only your selected screen name. Others will be able to like or comment on your story. Your email will not be published.

Share your public art stories

Is there a particular public art piece or experience (here in Hamilton or elsewhere) that holds significance to you that you would like to share?  What did it mean to you?

Submission story examples (2)

"When in Chicago I saw “the bean” (Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor).  It was a great communal experience – my family enjoyed seeing themselves reflected in the public square, and everyone around us were also pointing each other out and moving around together trying to find their reflections in the crowd.  There were lots of accidental interactions that wouldn’t have happened if the public art wasn’t there."

"When I was in elementary school an artist came to our class and had us describe animals from our imagination which they painted on ceramic tiles to make into a fantasy zoo mural.  The mural was installed on a building beside our school and every day I looked for my animal at recess. It felt really comforting to see my animal, especially when I was having a bad day."

Notice of Collection
The City of Hamilton collects information under the authority of Section 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected for the Public Art Master Plan Consultation will be used to inform The Public Art Master Plan 2025 to 2035. Information collected for this initiative will be stored on servers located in Canada and will be subject to Canadian laws.

Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Cultural Projects Specialist, Tourism and Culture Division, Planning and Economic Development Department, 28 James Street North, 2nd Floor Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1. 905-546-2424 ext.7612.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Type something
0
loader image
Didn't receive confirmation? Cancel
Register Now
  • Share Wind sculptures on Facebook Share Wind sculptures on Twitter Share Wind sculptures on Linkedin Email Wind sculptures link

    Wind sculptures

    by JMJ, 1 day ago

    I would like see the citizens of Hamilton construct sculptures that move with the wind. You can use anything that shows movement with the wind. Use your imagination! We could have a show of these pieces at the beach at Confederation Park.

  • Share Culture on Facebook Share Culture on Twitter Share Culture on Linkedin Email Culture link

    Culture

    by Cmama86, 3 days ago
    Art that inspires others to learn about diversity of other cultures
  • Share Mom on Facebook Share Mom on Twitter Share Mom on Linkedin Email Mom link

    Mom

    by Clarke, 3 days ago
    Loved being a child and going to the Ottawa street Parket with the giant sewing items would love to see more stuff like that
  • Share Non profit after school program for youth’ on Facebook Share Non profit after school program for youth’ on Twitter Share Non profit after school program for youth’ on Linkedin Email Non profit after school program for youth’ link

    Non profit after school program for youth’

    by James Robinson, 3 days ago
    I Beleave that a non profit after school program for all youths up to 18 would trhalt benafit all of Hamilton most of all are youth to give all youth the opportunity to grow learn develop good social skills noledge of all arts and self as team witch will help in the present and there future as the grow and develop into productive citasins and give them the same benefits and chances as the uperclass families.
  • Share Nature art native art on Facebook Share Nature art native art on Twitter Share Nature art native art on Linkedin Email Nature art native art link

    Nature art native art

    by Tara Lynn, 3 days ago
    Landscape waterfalls and native America art
  • Share Nature art Also native art on Facebook Share Nature art Also native art on Twitter Share Nature art Also native art on Linkedin Email Nature art Also native art link

    Nature art Also native art

    by Robin, 3 days ago
    Landscape waterfalls and native art
  • Share Black empowerment art on Facebook Share Black empowerment art on Twitter Share Black empowerment art on Linkedin Email Black empowerment art link

    Black empowerment art

    by Robin, 3 days ago
    Personally I believe that the city of Hamilton should include art for the black co celebrating black culture and diversity, also I think they should add a bit of our history and really just show diversity to the people who feel like they don’t mean as much. This will be a big step in our history as a whole and therefore improve us as not only a community but as a whole.
  • Share Fallen Souldiers on Facebook Share Fallen Souldiers on Twitter Share Fallen Souldiers on Linkedin Email Fallen Souldiers link

    Fallen Souldiers

    by Robin, 3 days ago
    I grew up in the Sanford area - or rather I became a man here. It was once home to a vibrant group of youngsters fighting to make the street a better place. My name is Tom-Providence M. Nkosi and Im an artist audio engineer here and I’d like to paint a murals or have one painted with quotes from a lot of legendary Sanford community members

    Tom

  • Share Children’s artwork on Facebook Share Children’s artwork on Twitter Share Children’s artwork on Linkedin Email Children’s artwork link

    Children’s artwork

    by Robin, 3 days ago

    I would like to see art Done by children with disabilities

  • Share Iron Work on Facebook Share Iron Work on Twitter Share Iron Work on Linkedin Email Iron Work link

    Iron Work

    by BrianS, 3 days ago
    Large installation of metal work that emphasizes the histor of the metal industry inHamilton and the affiliated uses of metal in other industries. For example: a large truck like vehicle with a load of different metal products like refrigerators, bicycles, toasters, roasters, Quonset huts and any other creative combination or grouping loaded on the back of the vehicle.
Page last updated: 28 Mar 2025, 11:59 PM