Submission Deadline
Friday, September 25, 2026
DesignTO x Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer
Artist Sojourn Program
DesignTO and Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer are pleased to present the Artist Sojourn Program, a site-specific program that culminates in a public exhibition as part of the 2027 DesignTO Festival and builds on the success of their past Artist-in-Residence Program.
Two successful applicants will immerse themselves in the environment of Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer over the course of a weekend stay in October/November 2026. During this time, artists will develop proposals for artworks to be displayed in the hotel lobby (including adjacent spaces). The final artworks will be jointly exhibited during the DesignTO Festival (January 22 – 31, 2027) through March 1, 2027, with a reception hosted by Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer during the Festival.
See submission requirements and artist fees below.
DesignTO is a charitable arts organization that curates exhibitions, presentations and educational programming to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of design and its role in creating a sustainable, just and joyful world. DesignTO is best known for the DesignTO Festival, Canada’s leading and largest annual design festival that celebrates design as a multidisciplinary form of creative thinking and making, with 100+ free exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week every January.
Pioneer of the boutique hotel concept in Canada, Le Germain believes in the importance of staying small and intimate. Known for unparalleled comfort and attention to detail, we ensure every guest enjoys a warm welcome and attentive and personalized service throughout their stay. Whether in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Charlevoix or Ottawa, we offer our guests a luxurious experience on a human scale. Our hotels are refined and elegant, yet always unpretentious. Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer is a refined boutique hotel situated in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant Entertainment District. Located at 30 Mercer Street, it offers guests a serene urban oasis within walking distance of the city’s premier attractions, including the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and the theatres of King Street West.
Each of the two selected artists will receive:
- A complimentary weekend stay at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer, including breakfast and dinner each day;
- In accordance with the CARFAC 2027 Fee Schedule, a solo exhibition fee (Exhibitions in Other Public Places) of $600 and an installation fee of $579;
- A materials allowance of up to $1,250;
- Exhibition at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer from January 22 – March 1, 2027;
- A reception hosted by Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer during the Festival; and
- Promotion of the exhibition through DesignTO Festival channels:
- A listing on the online DesignTO Festival Schedule
- A listing on the Festival mobile app
- Inclusion in one ‘What to do’ daily e-newsletter
- DesignTO venue signage (e.g. Festival window cling, not project-specific)
Site Details
The artworks will be displayed in the Lobby of Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. There are multiple ways the artworks could engage with their environment. Here are 3 possible sites for the artworks, however the two selected artists would not be limited to these sites:
The platform above the fireplace is roughly 8 feet wide by 15 feet long with the chimney in the middle. This platform can be seen from the concierge desk and from the Library Bar area.
This area is roughly 24 feet long by 18 feet high and is composed of 84 individual cubes.
The new lobby shelving is composed of an L-shaped shelving unit that is roughly 10 feet long by 8 feet wide.
Key Dates
June – September 2026
Artists are welcome to visit the hotel lobby before submitting their application.
September 25, 2026
Applications due.
Early October 2026
Submissions reviewed by Le Germain & DesignTO. Two selected artists are notified.
Late October 2026
A weekend stay at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer. Exact dates to be determined between the artists and the hotel.
Early November 2026
Artwork proposals to be reviewed and accepted by Le Germain & DesignTO.
November – December 2026
Artwork production by artists, with photographic documentation by Le Germain.
January 18-21, 2027
Artwork installation by artists. Exact date to be determined between the artists and the hotel.
January 22-March 1, 2027
Exhibition of artworks by two artists in the Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer Lobby, with a reception (date TBD) during the run of the exhibition.
March 2-4, 2027
Artwork deinstallation.
Submission Requirements
All submissions must include the following:
- Contact information;
- CV;
- Website;
- A short bio on you and/or your creative practice (max. 300 words);
- A brief proposal concept for one (or more) of the 3 locations identified in the Site Details (max. 300 words);
- 5-10 images of past work; and
- A concept image or sketch (optional).
Deadlines
Submissions are due Friday, September 25, 2026 by 11:59pm ET.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current residents of Canada.
FAQ
There is no fee for this submission.
Successful submissions will be notified by email in mid-October 2026.
Email questions to Markhan Hussain, Programs Assistant, at [email protected] with this subject line: Sojourn Program + your name.
