Call for Indigenous Artists: BMO Public Art Commission
Deadline: September 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
Award: Three Awards ($10,000, $10,000 and $30,000)
Opportunity Overview
STEPS Public Art and the Bank of Montreal (BMO) invite professional Indigenous artists from or with connections to the Musqueam, Squamish and/or Tsleil-Waututh Indigenous nations to submit their Request for Qualifications to the first stage of a public artwork(s) commissioning process that will be installed at one of three locations within the Vancouver Main branch in the City of Vancouver.
There are three locations for artworks, all of which are suitable for 2D work. These works will be selected through an open, two-stage commissioning process. As part of its national mural initiative, BMO aims to engage up to three artists from the following BC First Nations: the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. A selection panel will shortlist up to nine artists who will be paid an honorarium of $750 CAD (inclusive of taxes) to create detailed designs.
Artwork Themes
The artwork should celebrate the cultural richness of the Musqueam, Squamish and/or Tsleil-Waututh Nations, integrate elements inspired by water, and reflect the vibrant atmosphere of Vancouver’s harbourfront location. The design should feature Indigenous principles and ways of knowing while highlighting the unique architectural features of the space, characterized by natural light and distractive geometry and angles.
Shortlisted Artists will be asked to draw inspiration from:
- Location inspiration: the natural beauty and bustling activity of Vancouver and/or capture the dynamic and cosmopolitan energy of downtown, reflecting its status as a vibrant and diverse hub.
- Symbolism of water: incorporate water motifs, textures or patterns that symbolize vitality, renewal and prosperity, in accordance with Indigenous principles and ways of knowing.
Site Information
Located in the prominent Bentall Centre, the current site operates as a street-level “Pavilion” retail space and a “Concourse” level retail and office space. The lower level connects to the Vancouver Metro system as well as the mall/shopping concourse. Built in the late 1970s, the building features unique architecture with dramatic and sculptural ceilings. The design will both utilize and celebrate these elements as well as enhance the experience, both interior and exterior.
There are three sites identified for artwork:
Pavilion Elevation: North, East and West Walls
- Details: Artwork designed for media wall, and walls surrounding into corridors
- Medium: Digital vinyl
- Artist Fee: $30,000
Pavilion Elevation: ATM Vestibule South Wall
- Details: Artwork designed for glazing above escalators,
- Medium: To be applied as a translucent film on glass
- Artist Fee: $10,000
Concourse Elevation: Workstation, South Elevation Wall
- Details: Artwork designed for media wall
- Medium: Digital vinyl or painted mural
- Artist Fee: $10,000
Two-Stage Commissioning Process
This is a two-stage, open, national call for professional Indigenous artists from or with ties to the Musqueam, Squamish and/or Tsleil-Waututh Indigenous Nation. A specially convened Selection Panel composed of shareholders will be established for this two-stage commissioning process.
Stage One: Expression of Interest
The Selection Panel will review all Stage One submissions and meet in September 2025 to identify a shortlist of up to nine artists, based on artistic excellence, ties to communities, relevant experience and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging design that aligns with the themes of the project. Three artists will be shortlisted per site and the sites will be assigned to each of the shortlisted artists by the Selection Panel.
Stage Two: Shortlisted Artist Proposal Development
The shortlisted artists will be notified shortly after the Selection Panel’s first meeting and invited to participate in a proposal development period, which will result in a final design proposal. A detailed Terms of Reference document will be provided to shortlisted artists, with all of the detailed information required to prepare and submit their full proposals. Shortlisted artists will be paid a fee of $750 CAD (inclusive of taxes) for this stage.
Shortlisted artists will submit final proposals for Selection Panel review in September 2025 (date TBC). The panel will choose three—one per site—whose vision best suits the overall scope and intent of the project. The selected artists will be notified in October 2025. Selected artists will be required to go through a revision process of their final design (max three revisions). Selected artists will be responsible for the finished design of the artwork and print file, while BMO will pay for and manage the printing and installation of the works.
Project Timeline
- July – September 01, 2025: RFQ issued
- September 5, 2025: Shortlisted Artists identified
- September 6 – October 7, 2025: Shortlisted Artists develop detailed designs
- October 8-14, 2025: Shortlisted Artist deliberations; Selected Artists chosen; Artist contracts signed
- October 15 – November 28, 2025: Design revision and final print file submission (3x Design Revision Turns)
Submissions
Professional artists and artistic teams are invited to respond to this RFQ by submitting a single PDF document. This PDF document must include:
- Artistic Statement – 1-page maximum. Outline your artistic experience, ability, approach and interest in this project, highlighting relevant experience. Please note any connection to or understanding of the neighbourhood in which the artworks would be installed. Do not include proposals at this stage of the process.
- Connection to Local Communities – 1-page maximum. Include detailed and specific ways outlining how you are connected to the local communities of the Musqueam, Squamish and/or Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – 3-page maximum. Detail professional experience as an artist, past public art experience, and other information relevant to this RFQ. If applying as an artist team, please identify all team members and include a CV for each.
- Artistic Support Material – Maximum of ten (10) images of previous 2D work. For each image, provide a title and image number (see below).
- Support Material List – A written list that clearly outlines the Artistic Support Material (above) with corresponding titles and numbers. Include the following details in order of: Title, date, location, commissioning agent (if applicable), budget, dimensions, medium/materials and a brief description of the works (maximum 50 words).
Application Delivery and Deadline
Submissions must be received by September 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted via Google Forms—emailed, faxed or mailed applications will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure the application package is complete and submitted by the posted deadline. Final submissions must not exceed 20 MB in total size.
Questions and requests for clarification will be received by email until August 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Applicants who need accommodations or support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org at least 10 business days before the application deadline to allow STEPS to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.
Contact
Collin Zipp, Public Art Manager
P: 1-888-783-7780 (ext. 704)
E: collin@stepspublicart.org
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