In recent decades, public art has evolved far beyond static objects and monuments—it can be playful, participatory, community-centred, deeply contextual, and sometimes even a little weird (in the best way!). Using The Bentway (a public space with year-round programming underneath the Gardiner Expressway) as a core case study, this workshop peeks behind the scenes at how public art is evolving in Canada, and how creative interventions can shape the ways people move, gather, and connect in shared spaces.
In what ways can creative interventions transform how people behave, gather, or perceive public space? How can art foster belonging, dialogue, moments of delight and connection? How do artists and institutions responsibly (and imaginatively) show up within their community? And ultimately: what might the future of public art look like—or what do we hope it could become?
This presentation is for artists and arts workers with an interest in producing, curating, or thinking about public art. Grounded in real project stories, this session offers practical insights into designing responsive public art initiatives. We’ll look at emerging approaches through the lenses of community engagement, social impact, and civic imagination—and consider how artists can help shape more vibrant, connected, and participatory communities in the public realm.
This event is free and will be held online. Please register to attend. If there is anything we can do to support your participation, please reach out to Hannah at [email protected].
Speaker Bio: Megan Kammerer(she/her) is a curator and writer based in Toronto, Canada. She has held various positions with the Blackwood Gallery, Jackman Humanities Institute, Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, Robert McLaughlin Gallery and the Art Gallery of Guelph, where she worked to support critically engaged exhibition programmes across Southern Ontario. Her work has been shortlisted for three exhibition awards, winning an Exhibition of the Year prize from Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries in 2023. Kammerer’s research is published by the University of Toronto, where she holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Art History. She currently works as a Programming Associate at The Bentway.
The Artist Professional Development Workshop series is generously sponsored by the RBC Foundation.
