Item - 2025.TTC4.7

The TTC Board

1. Approved the amended Art in Public Transit Facilities Policy, attached as Appendix B to this report, with the following amendments:

a. By striking out Section 4.3.4;

b. By striking out "local Councillor" from Section 7.0.

c. By amending sections 9.1 and 9.3:

9.1 Temporary display of community artwork is encouraged at subway stations. This will be the responsibility of the Head of Marketing and Customer Experience Department, in consultation with the local Councillor. Where practical, such art will be displayed in permanent display cases. Appropriate measures will be taken to deter vandalism and theft when community art is displayed outside a permanent display case. 

9.3 Community art is not subject to approval by Toronto Public Art Commission, unless recommended by staff. All such art shall meet TTC criteria and requirements and be approved by the Chief Strategy and Customer Experience Officer.

2. Requested staff to work with the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council first on the six pilot stations being re-vitalized, and secondly on developing a partnership to build a larger Art in Public Transit Facilities vision and program.

Public art in TTC subway stations plays a key role, contributing significantly to the transit system and the city’s overall urban experience. Public art transforms otherwise functional spaces into engaging and visually stimulating environments. It can alleviate the stress and monotony of daily commutes, making travel more enjoyable. Public art installations can attract attention and interest, both from residents and visitors, adding to Toronto’s reputation as a vibrant and culturally rich city.

Recent TTC capital projects, and ongoing Easier Access Phase III and Second Exit projects, have prioritized the integration of public art into the architectural design of stations. This creates a seamless and cohesive experience, where art is an essential part of the station’s identity. Public art in TTC subway stations goes beyond mere decoration. It serves as a powerful tool for enhancing the commuter experience, enriching the urban environment, and fostering a sense of community.

Occasionally, existing artworks may need to be removed or modified to accommodate station modernization, to provide entrance connections to new developments, and to meet requirements of customer flow, wayfinding and signage, fire and life safety, and building codes.

TTC Policy 2.1.0 Art in Public Transit Facilities (Appendix A), under the responsibility of the TTC’s Chief Capital Officer, provides directions on the purpose, approval process, installation, ownership, insurance, removal, and cost of TTC public art.

On September 24, 2024, the TTC Board requested that TTC staff review the Art in Public Transit Facilities Policy, with consideration given to incorporating the local Councillor into the decision-making process for public art installations in transit facilities in their wards, and delegating approval for public art installations to the Chief Capital Officer (CCO), or their designate.

TTC staff completed its review, and this report includes recommendations to amend TTC Policy 2.1.0. These recommendations align with the Board’s request and include additional amendments necessary to resolve policy gaps identified by staff as part of the review process.