Bloomberg Philanthropies Art Grant
Step into a world of colour where York Street West in the
ByWard Market becomes an urban art playground
Turn York Street West into a Vibrant Canvas
Calling all professional artists and creative teams: here’s your chance to transform a central stretch of Ottawa’s ByWard Market into a stunning asphalt mural! Funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, this project invites bold, imaginative designs that will make York Street West a must-see public art destination.
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to design, install, and care for a two-year, eye-catching mural from 2026 to 2028—and help bring colour, energy, and creativity to the heart of the city!
Art That Moves the city—Safely and Beautifully
The York Street West asphalt mural will do more than delight the eyes—it will help shape the way people experience the street. By integrating visually striking, site-specific elements, the artwork will give the area a unique identity and create an engaging, vibrant public space for the community.
Public asphalt art also enhances safety: a 2022 Bloomberg Philanthropies study found it can reduce pedestrian and cyclist collisions by 50% and increase drivers yielding to pedestrians by 27%. The mural should be both conceptually bold and sensitive to place, reflecting the character of the neighbourhood and the future vision for Ottawa, while supporting the daily flow of pedestrians and vehicles.
