The City of Toronto awards modest contracts to local artists who turn aspects of the streetscape (such as this traffic signal box in Greektown) into canvases. This win-win situation is part of the city's graffiti-management program. I was told by one artist that the award wasn't much, but it does give artists exposure and it does make the streetscape more interesting. This artist's design reflected themes of the community: Greece and raccoons. I like it.
You can read about the StART program here:
www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transpor... 