Public Art Master Plan 2026 - 2036

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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.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Share Vigeland Sculpture Garden on Facebook Share Vigeland Sculpture Garden on Twitter Share Vigeland Sculpture Garden on Linkedin Email Vigeland Sculpture Garden link

    Vigeland Sculpture Garden

    by T.Fernandes, about 1 year ago

    When I was visiting Norway, a friend brought me to the Vigeland Sculpture Garden. I was instantly captivated. These larger than life sculptures captured life so beautifully.

    I was so deeply moved by the experience that insisted on visiting it again before I left. Twenty eight years later, I still remember how captivatingly beautiful it was.

    When I was visiting Norway, a friend brought me to the Vigeland Sculpture Garden. I was instantly captivated. These larger than life sculptures captured life so beautifully.

    I was so deeply moved by the experience that insisted on visiting it again before I left. Twenty eight years later, I still remember how captivatingly beautiful it was.

  • Share Sharing Hamilton's neighbourhood history through Art on Facebook Share Sharing Hamilton's neighbourhood history through Art on Twitter Share Sharing Hamilton's neighbourhood history through Art on Linkedin Email Sharing Hamilton's neighbourhood history through Art link

    Sharing Hamilton's neighbourhood history through Art

    by BreK, about 1 year ago

    Hamilton itself has so many unique neighborhoods that all developed over the years with their own stories and cultures. Part of what makes Hamilton unique is the way that these cultures have remained so individually strong while still integrating together to make Hamilton the amazing place that it is. I love that Hamilton has approved some mural paintings on Concession, Main, the bridge overpass at Victoria and Stinson, etc., as they way they visibly transform the areas into instantly more beautiful and more welcoming atmospheres, and think Hamilton should adapt this idea by commissioning more murals but ones that specifically... Continue reading

    Hamilton itself has so many unique neighborhoods that all developed over the years with their own stories and cultures. Part of what makes Hamilton unique is the way that these cultures have remained so individually strong while still integrating together to make Hamilton the amazing place that it is. I love that Hamilton has approved some mural paintings on Concession, Main, the bridge overpass at Victoria and Stinson, etc., as they way they visibly transform the areas into instantly more beautiful and more welcoming atmospheres, and think Hamilton should adapt this idea by commissioning more murals but ones that specifically tell the history of each of its unique neighborhoods and districts. It can be on a prominent city area and when someone views the art, they would understand why we call each neighbourhood what we do, and what the history is that built that neighborhood up in the way that it did. Telling Hamilton's story through our art is an incredible way to connect with our new and next Hamiltonians.

  • Share Picnic At The Park on Facebook Share Picnic At The Park on Twitter Share Picnic At The Park on Linkedin Email Picnic At The Park link

    Picnic At The Park

    by HamiltonMom8, about 1 year ago

    Raised within an intercultural family in Hamilton, I have fond memories of picnics at the park. Many of these picnics involved traditional foods like Filipino pancit and lumpia. Yet until this day, when I envision “picnic at the park” I imagine a red and white table cloth, a wicker basket and sandwiches on an open green field.


    A person’s experience of a picnic in a park can vary from one culture to another. My vision is a mural of families having a picnic at park, from a variety of lenses. A Filipino family having rice and lechon, an Arab family... Continue reading

    Raised within an intercultural family in Hamilton, I have fond memories of picnics at the park. Many of these picnics involved traditional foods like Filipino pancit and lumpia. Yet until this day, when I envision “picnic at the park” I imagine a red and white table cloth, a wicker basket and sandwiches on an open green field.


    A person’s experience of a picnic in a park can vary from one culture to another. My vision is a mural of families having a picnic at park, from a variety of lenses. A Filipino family having rice and lechon, an Arab family barbecuing chicken and kebabs, a Croatian family enjoying chevapi and burek. The list goes on. As people walk by this display, it looks like diverse groups having various picnics at the same park (a Hamilton park) and as you walk by each diverse individual group you can hear chitter chatter in their language through a speaker. The purpose of this mural would be to provide representation of the diverse groups here in Hamilton.


    Who doesn’t love a picnic, especially when it’s with the people and food you love, in the city you love.

  • Share Earth, Wind, Fire..exploring past, present, future on Facebook Share Earth, Wind, Fire..exploring past, present, future on Twitter Share Earth, Wind, Fire..exploring past, present, future on Linkedin Email Earth, Wind, Fire..exploring past, present, future link

    Earth, Wind, Fire..exploring past, present, future

    by Summermuse713, about 1 year ago
    My idea incorporates a multilevel, multi sensory interfaced permanent installation that incorporates aspect of Hamiton’s roots in the past present and future.



    A stylized steel-framed large letter “H” two stories high two stories wide with a lattice of wind chime pieces made from steel, recycled fused glass and ceramic chime tiles.


    As the wind blows through this structure the “wind chime” model will create musical whispers of harmony ever changing as each material would have a different “sound” like the melodic voices of multi lingual choirs symbolizing the multicultural aspect of Hamilton.

    Steel representing the industrial landscape of our steel... Continue reading

    My idea incorporates a multilevel, multi sensory interfaced permanent installation that incorporates aspect of Hamiton’s roots in the past present and future.



    A stylized steel-framed large letter “H” two stories high two stories wide with a lattice of wind chime pieces made from steel, recycled fused glass and ceramic chime tiles.


    As the wind blows through this structure the “wind chime” model will create musical whispers of harmony ever changing as each material would have a different “sound” like the melodic voices of multi lingual choirs symbolizing the multicultural aspect of Hamilton.

    Steel representing the industrial landscape of our steel mills, recycled fused glass representing how Hamilton has had to be reinvented through many changes over the years and ceramic tiles representing how Hamilton is where families have “placed roots and grounded “ as home for generations

    Each “elemental” tile can be personalized by the members of the community who can become engaged and invested in this art installation by personalizing each tile with their name either etched in the steel chime, or fused in the glass chime or written on the ceramic t chime.

    Once completed, each breath of wind will sing through the structure playing with the melodic chimes . Like the melodic voices of the citizens of Hamilton.

    The addition of solar tiles on the structure will “light” up the LED lights throughout the installation illuminating the installation enhancing its features both day and night with renewable energy.










  • Share Murals! on Facebook Share Murals! on Twitter Share Murals! on Linkedin Email Murals! link

    Murals!

    by TheeCatPlant , about 1 year ago

    I'm an international student. Hamilton is the very first city here in Canada that I got to know (and I'm still getting to know). There are many things in a new country that would immediately catch a newcomer's interest, such as the seasons, for example, but for me, one of the first things I could not take my eyes away from were the murals downtown. The first one I ever saw was the one with the tiger, the girl, the golden statue of a boy, and a bee (or a wasp?) and it was just so skillfully painted, even at... Continue reading

    I'm an international student. Hamilton is the very first city here in Canada that I got to know (and I'm still getting to know). There are many things in a new country that would immediately catch a newcomer's interest, such as the seasons, for example, but for me, one of the first things I could not take my eyes away from were the murals downtown. The first one I ever saw was the one with the tiger, the girl, the golden statue of a boy, and a bee (or a wasp?) and it was just so skillfully painted, even at such a grand scale. I still have a picture of it taken from last year:

    The second one that's of significance to me was the mural of the Philippines close to the Main at Kenilworth bus stop. I mention the bus stop specifically because when I was still getting used to my regular bus routes, that was one of the first milestones I ever got used to.

    There's a lot of other murals downtown, and the third one I'd mention is the mural of a woman handling cells with a microscope. I'm unsure if it's intentional but it reminded me of Henrietta Lacks and her cells that are still being kept alive.

    I'm just one guy, but these murals really stuck to my mind. I would love to think there are more murals for me to discover and admire :)

  • Share Ad-vocacy on Facebook Share Ad-vocacy on Twitter Share Ad-vocacy on Linkedin Email Ad-vocacy link

    Ad-vocacy

    by Justin, about 1 year ago

    Hi there . My name is Justin & I’m new to Hamilton. As someone who has been overcoming a 3 year struggle with mental health , suicide , and homelessness , I can say that the city is both raw , humbling and very resourceful. I am very grateful to not be defined by these terms , but have them shape who I am becoming. I know that in the context of mental health , homelessness , and other circumstances , especially over all well being , there is individual and collective expression that finds its way through a variety... Continue reading

    Hi there . My name is Justin & I’m new to Hamilton. As someone who has been overcoming a 3 year struggle with mental health , suicide , and homelessness , I can say that the city is both raw , humbling and very resourceful. I am very grateful to not be defined by these terms , but have them shape who I am becoming. I know that in the context of mental health , homelessness , and other circumstances , especially over all well being , there is individual and collective expression that finds its way through a variety of mediums - I just draw and paint personally. I think Hamilton could benefit greatly from highlighting and supporting those who use art as a way to express themselves through a group of reserved and rotating locations for people like myself , at risk youth , or anyone who wants to share their journey , in public ways.

  • Share Gordon Leverton’s mural on Facebook Share Gordon Leverton’s mural on Twitter Share Gordon Leverton’s mural on Linkedin Email Gordon Leverton’s mural link

    Gordon Leverton’s mural

    by Heather Bridge, about 1 year ago

    One of my favourite public art pieces is Gordon Leverton’s mural near Ottawa Street. As a painter in Hamilton myself, I have a lot of respect for Gordon’s work and what he has accomplished in his career. Seeing his work accessible to the public and in such a large format inspires me to continue in my own artistic practice. I also have a deep appreciation for making art available to the public. So many people are nervous to enter a gallery and this brings the gallery to them.

    One of my favourite public art pieces is Gordon Leverton’s mural near Ottawa Street. As a painter in Hamilton myself, I have a lot of respect for Gordon’s work and what he has accomplished in his career. Seeing his work accessible to the public and in such a large format inspires me to continue in my own artistic practice. I also have a deep appreciation for making art available to the public. So many people are nervous to enter a gallery and this brings the gallery to them.

  • Share Street Art in NYC on Facebook Share Street Art in NYC on Twitter Share Street Art in NYC on Linkedin Email Street Art in NYC link

    Street Art in NYC

    by Michael Vickers, about 1 year ago
    I will forever remember being 21 in New York City and seeing all of the street art (murals, wheat pasted posters, protest art) on every corner and feeling so inspired and moved.
    I will forever remember being 21 in New York City and seeing all of the street art (murals, wheat pasted posters, protest art) on every corner and feeling so inspired and moved.
Page last updated: 07 Apr 2025, 09:19 AM