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.

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Page last updated: 28 Mar 2025, 11:59 PM