Canada’s Walk of Fame has announced a design competition to create a new and exciting streetscape for what has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Toronto. A jury on behalf of Canada’s Walk of Fame is accepting submissions from designers, architects and artists interested in creating an innovative and visually arresting platform to honour Walk of Fame inductees. All designs must be submitted by May 17, 2005. The winning design will receive an award of $15,000, the second place design $10,000 and finally $5,000 for the third place design.
Peter Soumalias, Canada’s Walk of Fame Founder, suggests that competitors think of the city of Toronto as a canvas for the competition. “The design for the ‘streetscape’ must take into consideration the desire for Canada’s Walk Of Fame to be a fluid, original and distinctly Canadian destination.” Soumalias stressed that “the winning design set Canada’s Walk Of Fame apart from any other walk of fame. It is already a tourist destination – now we want to establish a new standard and lead the way in honouring Canadian achievement.”
The City of Toronto and private donations are providing the funding for the re-design, a testament to the importance of the Walk of Fame. “Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrates the creative talents of Torontonians and people across the country. Not only will the new walk design make Toronto more beautiful, it will also honour this city’s strong tradition of creativity and artistic culture,” said Mayor David Miller.
A jury composed of members of the Board of Directors for Canada’s Walk Of Fame, Tourism Toronto and people from the design community will select three finalists from the first stage of submissions. Each finalist will be provided with an honorarium to develop and refine their proposal. The short list of finalists will be announced May 31st. Interested parties can go to the website www.canadaswalkoffame.com for the registration form and Request for Proposal. Registration forms must be received no later than May 17th, 2005.
In making their decision, the jury will consider the following elements:
*compliance with the Walk of Fame mission and competition rules
*artistic excellence and innovation in design
*the site selected
*integration of the elements of the streetscape on the selected site
*integration of the elements of the design with the City of Toronto
*consideration of future generations that will enjoy the streetscape
*tourism
*flexibility of the design with the fluid nature of the project
*choice and quality of the materials
*technical and budgetary feasibility of the design
*sensitivity to short and long-term maintenance and conservation costs, particularly in an environment of often harsh environmental conditions
*durability of the elements relative to theft, vandalism and the environment
Competitors are advised to take note that while Toronto’s Entertainment District should be considered as a primary location of the streetscape, it should not be the only consideration.
All submissions should be delivered to:Streetscape Design Competition 2005Canada’s Walk of Fame1 Yonge Street, Suite 1014Toronto, ON M5E 1E5
Founded in 1998, Canada’s Walk of Fame has grown to become the country’s biggest star-studded celebration of Canadian achievement. This year the festival will span four days, from June 2nd through June 5th. The start of the festival is marked by the Movies ‘n Music event at Yonge Dundas Square, sponsored by Cineplex and Universal Music. This event will take place each evening during the week. In addition, there will be a benefit rock concert on June 4th. The festivities will conclude on Sunday, June 5th with the Star Unveiling, the eTalk Red Carpet, a Chanel Cocktail Reception and a Tribute Gala Show at the Elgin Theatre.
Canada’s Walk of Fame aims to educate, inform and inspire through the permanent celebration of the achievements of Canadian music, arts and entertainment luminaries. To date, there have been 84 prominent Canadians inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.