VIEWS: music in community

VIEWS is a free public art and mural program presented by Next Generation Arts. The 2026 iteration, Music in Community, brings together 15 emerging artists ages 18–29 to design and execute a public mural rooted in the sounds, stories, and spirit of the Scarborough community.

Working under the mentorship of Jeff Blackburn, a multidisciplinary artist with nearly 20 years of experience producing and exhibiting projects, participants will move through every phase of execution. Jeff’s practice draws from sequential art and graffiti/post-graffiti traditions, with a focus on line, texture, and interpretive contour. Participants will take his design from concept to finished wall while developing advanced aerosol techniques in a collaborative environment. The program will culminate in the unveiling of the mural, alongside an exhibition of individual works developed throughout the process.

The program, mural, and exhibition will all take place at Next Generation Arts (1121 Bellamy Road North, Scarborough). This is a professional, portfolio-level opportunity for emerging artists. It is not introductory programming. Participants will be expected to work at a professional standard, expand their technical and collaborative range, and produce work suitable for a professional portfolio—including contributing to a permanent public mural.

What Participants Will Do

Over the course of the program:

Develop advanced aerosol and large-scale mural techniques across every phase of execution
Train under the direct mentorship of acclaimed lead artist Jeff Blackburn
Contribute to a large-scale public mural alongside fellow participants
Create independent work featured in a culminating exhibition
Build a professional portfolio through real-world experience

How to Apply

Complete the application via the link below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of May 22, 2026.

Each application must include:

A statement of artistic intent
A CV or résumé outlining relevant experience
A portfolio or examples of your artwork

Accepted applicants must complete Working at Heights certification (training provided).

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Next Generation Arts team and program mentors. Selection will be based on the strength of the portfolio, artistic intent, and overall fit for the program. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in a brief screening process (e.g., interview).

For more information, visit nextgenerationarts.ca or contact Anju at anju@nextgenerationarts.ca or (437) 703-5553.

VIEWS: Music in Community is supported by the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Government of Ontario.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be 18–29 years old
Be Toronto residents
Have a demonstrated interest in muralism, aerosol, or public art
Be available to fully participate from May through August

Mural experience is considered an asset, but not required

Submit Your Application!

Important Dates

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026 (rolling; applications reviewed as received and spots filled on a first-come basis)
Notice of Acceptance: May 23, 2026

About Jeff blackburn

Jeff Blackburn is a multidisciplinary artist with nearly 20 years of experience producing and exhibiting projects. He holds an Honours BFA from York University, with a focus in Studio Arts, and a minor in Art History.

Drawing inspiration from both sequential art and the graffiti/post-graffiti movements, his work is known for its emphasis on line and texture, and its dissection of form using interpretive contour lines. Paintings are constructed by merging illustrative pop art and aesthetics with urban art materials and techniques.

Select career highlights include: Project Lead and Co-Painter on multiple projects for Yorkville Murals, including three unique 26,000 square foot paintings (2020-2025), assisting on Street Art Toronto’s first Monumental project at 1 St Clair East, which was a stunning 12-storey painting (2019), collaborating on numerous improvised mural projects for En Masse (2017-2025), creating large-scale mural and sculptural installations for Live Nation music festivals (Canada-wide 2014-2019), and being invited as the only artist commissioned to create a live painting at TED Conference (Vancouver, BC 2017).

Jeff's work can be seen in numerous privately owned art collections, as well as the corporate collections of BMW and Live Nation, and many more.