Hamilton Art Crawl

Filmed July 2023. The Hamilton Art Crawl is a great event that takes place on James Street North on the second Friday of every month.

History of the event:

For over a century, Hamilton Ontario made its mark on the map with a huge steel industry, an identity so prominent that it was given the nicknames Steel City and The Hammer. Unfortunately by the early 2000s, Hamilton was noticing a steady decline in the industry.

It became apparent that if steel would not last, the city would need to evolve if it wished to stay relevant. During the decline of the steel industry, gallery owners flocked to the downtown area for its inexpensive real estate. Several shops had the simple, yet ingenuous idea, to stay open later in an effort to attract more visitors to the area. And so, in 2005, a transformative event known as Art Crawl was born on a run-down James Street. Hamiltonians were invited to not only visit the galleries, but to browse the various food and craft stands of local artists that would line the bustling sidewalks. The event became a fast success.

These “Crawls” have been crucial factors in the revitalization of James Street. Since holding the events, a slew of art-inspired shops and spaces now decorate the neighborhoods. Vacant buildings have been replaced by book shops, galleries, record stores, and cafes.