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Public Art

Public Art

Public Art is an artistic endeavour created for the community for decorative or functional purposes. Public art works are displayed in public spaces on a temporary or permanent basis. They include:

  • Sculpture
  • Murals or paintings
  • Earthworks
  • Fibre works
  • Neon
  • Glass works
  • Mosaics
  • Photography
  • Calligraphy
  • Fixtures such as gates, manhole covers, benches streetlight or signage which may be contracted to artists for unique or limited editions.

Did you know?

Thunder Bay is renowned for being one of the initial municipalities in Canada to recognize the value of Public Art.  A Policy outlining the definition, value and administration of Public Art has existed since 1988.

What Public Art Does for a City…

Public art beautifies cities, gives meaning to place and builds community identity. It contributes to a visually dynamic environment, creating public spaces that celebrate, engage and stimulate.” Cultural Policy Study, City of Thunder Bay.

Public art enriches our everyday lives, brings light to social issues and political events, creates an appreciation of culture and heritage, teaches us about our surroundings, and much more. Public art is an investment in our culture and makes Thunder Bay a more beautiful place to live, work and play.

TRUST FUND FOR ART IN PUBLIC SPACES

The City has established a Trust Fund for Art in Public Spaces to provide:

  • An ongoing mechanism to ensure the acquisition of works of art for the community to enjoy in its public spaces.
  • Opportunities for the public to participate in and demonstrate its support for the acquisition of works of art.
  • Display of public works of art which communicate across language and cultural barriers. An opportunity for artists to have their works purchased for public display while contributing to the aesthetic environment of the community. Opportunities for the community to purchase works of art by regional and local artists while their artwork is available and attainable.

Donations can be made to the Trust Fund. Receipts for tax purposes issued for gifts over $10. Naming opportunities exist for specific works of art.

What are some local examples of Public Art?

 Roy Thomas - Spirit of TB
Spirit of Thunder Bay, By the
late Roy Thomas hung in City Hall		 Birch Point
Birch Point by Sean Randall
 Island Drive
The Island Drive Bridge		 Terry Fox Memorial
Memorial Terry Fox Memorial
Voyageur Textile Sash
Textile Voyageur Sash hung
in the Victoriaville Civic Centre		 TBCA Door Handles
Aesthetic Door Handles at the
Community Auditorium
Overpass Gallery
The floor murals in the Water
Street Overpass		 See the City's Art Collection for more.

 

































 

 

For more information on Public Art in Thunder Bay, please contact:

City of Thunder Bay
Recreation & Culture Division

Address: Victoriaville Civic Centre
111 Syndicate Ave S
Thunder Bay ON P7E 6S4
Tel: (807) 625-2365
Fax: (807) 625-3395
Contact: Linda Beresnevicius
E-mail: lberesnevicius@thunderbay.ca