Public art in the city

Learn how the City commissions, installs, and maintains public artworks, how developers contribute, and how you can donate or get involved.

Public art in the city

Public art brings life to the spaces we share. It reflects our community values, highlights the beauty of the Tamsin River and the falls, and helps shape Wrenford’s identity. The City’s public art program works to acquire meaningful works that enhance our streets, parks, and civic buildings.

How we commission and fund public art

Public art in Wrenford is funded through a policy that sets aside one per cent of eligible capital project budgets. This ensures that new infrastructure, parks, and buildings naturally include space for art. The Arts & Heritage team partners with the Fallsview Arts Centre to guide the creative process, from selecting artists to installing the final piece. Once installed, the City maintains the artwork as part of our public collection.

Private development contributions

When private developers propose rezonings for large projects, they contribute to the local public art program. Developers of projects over 100,000 square feet must contribute $1.50 per buildable square foot. They can choose one of two options:

  • Artwork on site: The developer works with a public art consultant to coordinate an artist, design the piece, and manage its installation. The Wrenford Public Art Committee reviews the plan.
  • Cash in lieu: The developer pays 80 per cent of the required budget into the Community Art Fund. This money pools with City and donor funds to commission major artworks at key city sites.

The Wrenford Public Art Committee

The Wrenford Public Art Committee advises City Council, developers, and residents on public art matters. The committee reviews artist proposals, evaluates site suitability, and ensures new works align with our Public Art Policy (2024). You can view past committee meeting agendas on the Meetings & Agendas page.

We welcome donations of public art and funds that enhance Wrenford’s shared spaces. If you want to donate a physical artwork, please submit a Donation Application to Arts & Heritage at [email protected]. The committee evaluates submissions using these criteria:

  • Artist qualifications and exhibition history
  • Artistic merit, quality, and originality
  • Suitability for the site and the surrounding landscape
  • Acceptance and interest from the wider community
  • Conservation and maintenance requirements
  • Present and future costs

If a donation is accepted, the City may ask for a conservation guarantee covering up to 20 per cent of the artwork’s appraised value to cover future care. You can also donate funds directly to the Public Art Reserve for future projects.

Get involved

Stay connected to Wrenford’s creative scene. Sign up for our monthly public art newsletter to hear about upcoming calls for artists, new installations, and community events. For questions about the program, artist opportunities, or donation guidelines, contact the Arts & Heritage team at 519-555-0145 or visit us at City Hall.