Northcrest Unveils Winners of Beyond the Tarmac Open Call
Northcrest Developments has announced the winners of their inaugural Beyond the Tarmac Open Call that took place this past spring, which marks a milestone in the transformation of the cultural identity of the former Downsview Airport site in north Toronto.
Back in April, Northcrest launched a call for artists, creatives, programmers and event producers to reimagine parts of YZD’s taxiway—600 metres of the tarmac that leads to the 2-kilometre runway—adjacent to airplane hangars.
Following an enthusiastic response to the call for submissions, three projects have been selected to bring art experiences to the heart of the YZD site in 2025.
The winning installations, Runway Rivers by local artist John Notten, Street Art by One Day Creates, and Wonderful by Reset x RebuildTO, will be designed to attract locals and tourists, while creating spaces for social interaction, learning, and exploration.
“The ‘Beyond the Tarmac’ installations are a cornerstone in our vision to make YZD a hub where culture, art, and community seamlessly intersect,” said Mitchell Marcus, executive director of site activation and programming, Northcrest Developments. “As we transform a place for airplane manufacturing into a place for people, our hope is that we can open our doors to the city’s most creative minds to bring ideas to life that couldn’t happen anywhere else, turning our industrial landscape into a vibrant place of creativity. This open call is one of the ways that we can ensure that we reach the broadest possible group of creators with a platform for them to dream and funding to have those dreams realized.”
Runway Rivers by John Notten, which will be launching next June, was inspired by Toronto’s lost rivers. Runway Rivers will offer visitors an interactive experience where they can “float” on canoes along painted pathways on the tarmac. This installation aims to combine art with history and geography, and offers a playful yet educational journey that explores the environmental significance of Toronto. John Notten’s art installations have been showcased across Ontario, including in the Toronto Nuit Blanche program.
Street Art by One Day Creates will be launching next July. This event will showcase some of Canada’s top street art talent alongside international artists making their Canadian debut. It will also provide an inclusive space to experience the energy and creativity of street art in a new context.
Wonderful by Reset x RebuildTO will be launching next April, and aims to blend cutting-edge audio technology with storytelling to create an immersive experience that takes visitors on an audio-guided adventure through one of the Hangars at the YZD site. Through a combination of 2D and 3D visual elements, visitors will be able to take a journey through an imaginative playground, and engage with each other and the immersive elements.
The Beyond the Tarmac installations will open to the public in spring and summer 2025. Northcrest envisions the Beyond the Tarmac program as a recurring initiative. Over the years, the program will continue to invite artists to YZD to imagine new art installations, community events, and public art initiatives as the development evolves.
In 2025, alongside the Beyond the Tarmac installations, YZD will host a variety of activations, including seasonal and ongoing art installations, recreational activities, and community events.