Our Arts on Track project is an example of a public philanthropic partnership highlighting how devoted citizens worked together to enhance Toronto's public spaces. The project transformed Museum Subway Station into a reflection of the Royal Ontario Museum and the Gardiner Museum above it.

Convening to Renew Public Spaces
Inspired by the Mayor's Clean & Beautiful City Initiative and Toronto Community Foundation stakeholders' concerns about the declining condition of public spaces in our city, we convened a Toronto Dialogue to explore how residents, businesses, community organizations, and government might work together to create public space that enhances the livability and social cohesion of our city, and how private interests, including philanthropy, could be integrated into supporting public space.

A Public Philanthropic Partnership
The Toronto Dialogues on public space inspired a diverse group of donors, stakeholders, and community leaders, who worked together to develop a revolutionary new "public philanthropic partnership". Partners included an inspirational $1 million gift from the Budd Sugarman Foundation, while an additional $1 million was raised from a total of 14 donors at the Toronto Community Foundation. Public support came from the Toronto Transit Commission, which contributed $1.25 million, and a further $2 million in funding came from the Province of Ontario.

A Cultural Renaissance Underground
On April 8, 2008, the Toronto Community Foundation opened the transformed Museum Subway Station. The design for the new station platform was created by celebrated Toronto architect Jack Diamond of Diamond + Schmitt Architects. Working with Royal Ontario Museumand Gardiner Museum curators and other specialists, five evocative designs were chosen for Museum station columns, replicating cultural artifacts found in the museums above:

• The Wuikinuxv First national House Post (First Nations, Canada)
• The Osiris Plaster (Ancient Egypt)
• The Toltec Warrior (Mexico's Toltec Culture, which ruled Yucatan from 900 to 1200 AD)
• The Forbidden City Columns (traditional China)
• The Doric Columns (the Parthenon of Ancient Greece)

The new Museum Station is an inspiring sight for the thousands who pass through the station daily, and an ongoing invitation for all citizens and visitors to enjoy the cultural treasures found above.

What Toronto is Saying
The Globe and Mail:
"With Arts on Track, the Toronto Community Foundation has developed one adventurous donor's gambit into a whole new city-building process."
John Barber, Next stop: Platform to turn heads - even a Torontonian’s, April 9, 2008 ››

The Toronto Star:
"Philanthropists can fund the bold and innovative and smile with the city as the world takes notice."
Royson James, The world takes notice of a makeover done right, April 10, 2008 ››

Metro News Toronto:
"Arts on Track represents the first time that donated funds have gone to substantially remodel subway infrastructure."
Ed Drass, $5 million makeover unveiled, April 8, 2008 ››

Torontoist.com:
"It's hard not to find the finished columns quite irresistible and fun"
Miles Storey, Museum Unveiled, April 8, 2008 ››