Emerging artists:

Ready to put art at the heart of the STM architecture?

Have your work featured on the largest mural at Berri-UQAM station.

Astral is thrilled to announce the third edition of its art contest in partnership with Transgesco.

The initiative is giving Montreal art students the chance to take over one of the most famous transit hubs, Berri-UQAM station, by exhibiting one of their creations on the station’s largest mural. This opportunity will revitalize the station, bringing a breath of fresh air and putting art at the heart of its architecture.

Art is deeply embedded in the Montreal metro system DNA, with diverse artistic expressions gracing every station. This contest provides a platform for aspiring artists to express their creativity and share their work with a wider audience.

2026-2027 Theme: Art in Motion – Design. Architecture. Creativity.

“Art in Motion – Design. Architecture. Creativity.” is the story of a connected city, where each beat represents the interaction between its inhabitants and its environment. Montreal is not just a bustling metropolis, but a living organism, pulsing to the rhythm of its unique neighborhoods. From Old Montreal, steeped in history, to Plateau Mont-Royal, brimming with artistic creativity, and through Mile End, vibrant with energy and culinary diversity, each sector contributes to this urban symphony, connected at its heart by the STM network.

The smells of bakeries and restaurants mingle with the sounds of lively conversations and the different bars on Crescent Street, which blend into the shimmering colors of the Plateau houses, while also rubbing shoulders with the architectural modernity of downtown. This theme celebrates this unique kaleidoscope and the invisible links that unite Montrealers, the diversity of its cultures, and the constant pulse that defines its unique identity.

Let creativity be your guide. Whether you’re inspired by the architecture, the crowds, the smells, the sounds, the memories, or the special atmosphere deep underground, let your creativity be your guide.

Pay tribute to the underground: How does the underground touch you? How do you see it? How would you pay tribute to it through your art?

Bring your interpretation to life. Create a unique and powerful work of art that captures the essence of Montreal’s underground.

Photo of Sarah Cloutier’s artwork displayed at Berri-UQAM station, winner of the first edition of the contest.

Bring Berri-UQAM station to life

Create an artwork to be displayed on the station’s largest static mural, creating an impact on the entire platform of the green line of the busiest metro in the network.

Submit your work respecting the dimensions required for the mural. See specifications below.

7680 x 4320 pixels (16:9 ratio), 72 dpi JPG, PNG or TIFF format in RVB

Technical specifications Template

Additional details

Eligibility

The competition is open to all students actively enrolled in an art program at a Montreal university. For more details, please consult the complete rules.

Documents to be submitted

In addition to submitting the final file of their artwork in digital format and having duly completed their profile in the registration form, participants must write an explanatory text about their work.

Finalists

Finalists will have their work displayed on various static and digital products throughout the metro network.

The winner

The winning candidate will receive a prize of $1,000. The winning artist will see their artwork displayed on a large static mural at Berri-UQAM station, on the green line platform, for a 4-week period during the Montréal en Lumière Festival, in February. The winning artist will also participate in a professional photo shoot alongside their displayed artwork in the STM network. Artworks and photos may also be featured on Astral, Bell Media and Transgesco’s social media platforms to promote the contest and finalists. Finalists/runner-ups will receive a prize of $500. This includes the right to display the artwork for one year in the STM network. All production fees are managed by Astral.

The jury

A jury composed of members from UQAM, Concordia, Astral and Transgesco will select the finalists and winner. Judging will take place in December 2026.