Waterfront Toronto Seeks Canadian Artists for Floating Public Art in Harbour Square Park — 2027
Floating public art commission
Waterfront Toronto has published a Request for Proposals seeking an original temporary floating artwork for Harbour Square Park Basin. The successful professional artist or artist-led team will design a work for installation during summer 2027, animating a public waterfront space through visual expression. Artists whose practices engage with water, public environments, sculpture, installation or cross-disciplinary methods may find the project relevant.
Location and technical considerations
The proposed work will occupy a basin on Toronto’s waterfront and must be appropriate for a temporary public installation. Candidates should assess the realities of fabrication, durability, site safety, installation and eventual removal. The official RFP defines the technical criteria, public-space responsibilities and approvals required; this reference summary does not replace its design and risk-management provisions.
Eligibility and local procurement
This competition is open to **professional artists and artist teams in Canada** with relevant experience, rather than worldwide applicants. Waterfront Toronto states that selected artists must use Ontario-based contractors and strongly encourages local subcontractors. Team leaders should consider this requirement when developing collaborators and budgets.
Funding and the commissioned contract
The selection is for a professional art commission, with the scope, project finances and payment terms established by the official RFP. The public project summary does not give a confirmed headline individual artist fee, so this article does not assign one. Applicants must examine the RFP and Addendum No. 1, dated November 6, 2026, to understand what the contract covers and to distinguish any project budget from actual personal compensation.
Deadline and documents
The deadline is Thursday, December 3, 2026 at **17:00 Eastern Time**. Waterfront Toronto’s official public-art page links to the full Request for Proposals and its addendum. Artists should follow the specified submission channel, complete all required materials and confirm whether there have been further revisions to the competition.
About the commissioning agency
Waterfront Toronto is a public agency coordinating urban revitalisation along Toronto’s waterfront. Its public-art programme commissions temporary and permanent works that help communities and visitors experience changing public spaces.
Official application sources
Organiser’s official public-art page, RFP download and addendum: https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/our-purpose/design-excellence/public-art
Official specific opportunity: https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/request-proposals-2027-floating-public-art-harbour-square-park-basin
The total commissioning budget is CAD $100,000 plus HST, covering the professional artist's fee and all project costs including engineering, approvals, fabrication, materials, insurance, installation, maintenance and removal. The full budget is not an individual artist's take-home income.
Important information
This independent article is an edited summary of an external public-art request. Before applying, review the official RFP, addenda and organiser instructions for exact eligibility, budget, site restrictions, rights, insurance, submission format and deadline. Official documents take precedence over this reference article. Verified November 11, 2026.