Art in the City Tour
Students become artists, curators and critics as they explore the intersection of art, architecture, public space, and community in Toronto’s Financial District.
Students become artists, connoisseurs and critics on this interactive tour of Toronto’s best public art.
Duration
2 Hours
Grade
4-12
Group Size
up to 150
Price
$15/student + HST
Languages
Tours offered in English & French
Tour Info
Through group work, sketching, photography, and role play, students will become artists, curators and critics as they explore the intersection of art, architecture, public space, and community in Toronto’s Financial District. As they analyze and imagine new pieces for downtown spaces, they’ll examine the role of public art in shaping urban environments, all while experiencing some of the finest public art the city has to offer.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Critique the design of two iconic buildings and reimagine them in today’s context.
• Create a marketing plan for a controversial sculpture that sparked Toronto’s public art debate over 60 years ago.
• Debate the significance of two public art pieces and their impact on the community.
• Imagine a replacement for an existing sculpture to make a statement about something that is important to them.
• Explore an outdoor art gallery, discovering pieces that inspire them, and plant the seeds for their own artwork inspired by those pieces.
Available in English & French.
**Starts at Nathan Phillips Square (Bay St & Queen St West), and ends at Berczy Park (Church St & Front St West). Students can have lunch at the funky, local food-tastic St. Lawrence Market nearby, perfect for lunch, with plenty of public picnic tables.
Curriculum Connections
The tour provides opportunities to sketch, photograph and compare art and architecture in public spaces and buildings, including modern art, sculptures, and murals.
Visual Arts: students explore different techniques and materials for creating art, including sketching and photography. Students also learn about the principles of design and explore a range of media and art-making processes. The older students (grades 7 & 8) focus on developing their skills in specific media and styles, and learn about art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
Social Studies: examining the history and development of public art in Toronto, and the city’s architectural heritage. Students learn about the history, geography, and culture of Canada and the world.
Language: students focus on developing their reading comprehension, writing skills, and communication skills.
The tour provides opportunities to sketch, photograph and compare art and architecture in public spaces and buildings, including modern art, sculptures, and murals.
Visual Arts: students explore different techniques and materials for creating art, including sketching and photography. Students focus on developing their skills in specific media and styles, and learn about art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
Social Studies: examining the history and development of public art in Toronto, and the city’s architectural heritage. Students focus on specific areas of history and social studies, such as Canadian history, world history, geography, and civics.
Language: students continue to develop their communication and literacy skills, with a focus on specific genres and types of writing, as well as critical thinking and media literacy.
How to Prepare your class, and what to bring on the day of the tour
When teachers book a tour for their class they will receive an information package that will:
-> outline any in-class preparation activities to be done prior to the tour
-> list materials & items that students should bring on the day of the tour
Book A Walk Today
Testimonials
“Our students enjoyed all aspects of the walk, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be the reporter-on-the-street activity. We were amazed how they took to it and the courage they demonstrated in approaching the public. The follow up assignments were excellent also. We had them complete the news article as individuals and the advertising assignment in their groups. The rubrics were also well thought out.”
–Alison D, Grade 8 Teacher, Bloordale MS, Etobicoke, ON
“The Art Walk was amazing; my grade 6 students got to walk, climb, draw and photograph Toronto. I look forward to taking this field trip every year.”
