The ByWard Market District Authority (BMDA), in partnership with City of Ottawa ByWard Market Public Realm Office, the City of Ottawa Public Art Program, and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), is inviting professional artists and creative teams to help bring new life to sections of York Street West through a temporary public asphalt art project. Supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, this initiative aims to combine
placemaking and traffic-calming design to make one of Ottawa’s most visited areas safer,
more welcoming, and visually vibrant.
The artwork will be installed across key sections of York Street West between Sussex Drive and ByWard Market Square, including westbound and eastbound traffic lanes, a central pedestrian median, and a small plaza regularly repurposed as an outdoor market on weekends. This project offers the opportunity to transform functional spaces into visually engaging public places that celebrate the energy, diversity, and spirit of the ByWard Market
District.
The project welcomes artists from all backgrounds, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis creators, and values both English and French as part of Ottawa’s cultural identity. If your art bursts with colour, tells stories through texture, or captures the rhythm of the city, this is your opportunity to leave your mark on one of Ottawa’s most iconic destinations!
Submit your Expressions of Interest before November 28, 2025.
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