Attention Artists!
Ontario‑based artists are invited to submit existing original artwork for the 2026 Cabinets to Canvas program by May 22.
Proactively painting anti-graffiti coatings and murals on surfaces prone to graffiti is one of the approaches used on the City's graffiti abatement program.
There is an unspoken rule among artists that, respectfully, you don't tag other artists' work. The City has had success with murals throughout Barrie as they've proving to deter tagging.
The cabinets that are selected for the program are ones already being replaced due to age of the equipment or are part of road reconstruction projects. The wrapping is a special product applied while the cabinets are being constructed and includes a coating that helps repel paint and other elements. The cost is approximately $1,800 per cabinet and includes the artist's work and the wrap itself.
Cabinets to Canvas
The City's Parks Planning and Traffic & ROWA Services teams from the Development Services Department partner to support the Cabinets to Canvas graffiti abatement initiative (formerly known as the Artist Designed Traffic Cabinet Wraps Project). Traffic cabinets are wrapped with original works of art that contribute to civic pride, bring vibrancy to our City, and showcase the talent in our community.
In 2023 and 2024, artists were commissioned to create new digital designs for traffic cabinet wraps, following calls for proposals and juried selection processes. Five new designs were created each year. In 2025, the program expanded, with 14 new commissioned designs.
2026 Call for Existing Artwork
Compensation: Up to 15 awards of $750 CAD each (inclusive of taxes)
Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026, by 11:59pm EST
The City of Barrie and the Barrie Public Art Committee invite Ontario‑based artists, to submit existing original artwork for the 2026 Cabinets to Canvas program. Priority will be given to local, Simcoe County artists.
For full details, including how to submit your application, please review the 2026 Cabinets to Canvas call for artists.
Public Art & Heritage Utility Cabinet Wraps Project
In 2022, the City of Barrie wrapped five additional utility cabinets with local art and historical images. The public art wraps were designed by local artists. The heritage wraps include historical photos gathered by the Heritage Committee and provided courtesy of the Simcoe County Archives and the Barrie Historical Archive.
Traffic Signal Controller Box Murals Project
In fall 2016, the City worked with local artist Jordan Sookwah-Ragobeer, who painted murals on selected traffic signal controller boxes throughout Barrie, with which there has been graffiti challenges.
Bell Box Murals Project
In summer 2015, the City teamed up with Bell Canada and local artists Renee Sukie and Willow Neill to paint murals on select Bell utility boxes to deter graffiti and help showcase Barrie’s history and culture.
