Call to Artists for Expression of Interest (EOI) – Five (5) Public Artworks for The Eglinton way BIA in Toronto
Five (5) Awarded Commissions of up to $50,000 CAD (inclusive) per artwork. Deadline for Submissions is June 29, 2023 by 11:59 PM EDT. Applications are now closed.
STEPS Public Art, The Eglinton Way Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the City of Toronto invite Canadian-based professional artists (including artist teams) to submit their Expression of Interest to the first stage of a competition for public artwork(s) that will be installed at one (1) of five (5) locations along Eglinton Avenue West in 2023.
The sculptures will be selected through an open, two-stage competition, with a total budget of approximately $50,000 CAD (inclusive) per artwork. The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: including fees for design, fabrication, shipping, installation, engineering and professional services, insurance, permits, travel and other incidental and production expenses.
Artist Credit: W.W. Hung
Photo Credit: The Eglinton Way BIA
Community Feedback
The Eglinton Way BIA is looking for your feedback on the 10 shortlisted artists for Phase 2 of the Artwalk!
Only 5 artists will be selected for the official commission of their sculptures, with installations happening later this year. The community is invited to review the artist concepts for each of the 5 new site locations along Eglinton Avenue West.
The Virtual Community Open House concluded on August 20, 2023. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Community Background
Situated at a nine-block stretch at the north end of Toronto’s Forest Hill neighbourhood, The Eglinton Way BIA is a picturesque, pedestrian-friendly area that is rich in history. Home to the historic Eglinton Grand Theatre, and with multiple stores, services and eateries, the BIA is the perfect place to shop, stroll, browse, eat and get pampered. Find everything from unique boutiques, specialty stores and professional services, to fitness studios, health centres, authentic dining experiences and sought-after hair and beauty destinations. The area is considered one of Toronto’s most fashionable shopping districts and features a myriad of upscale boutique shops offering designer and one-of-a-kind artisanal wares.
As the BIA is situated along Eglinton Avenue West, like many other BIAs along this strip, it has been impacted over the past few years by the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The objective of this project is to bring people back to The Eglinton Way BIA through a unique Artwalk. By partnering with the City of Toronto and the Federal Government to commission these public artworks, The Eglinton Way BIA hopes to create a truly unique outdoor art and shopping experience unlike any other within the city.
The commissioned art will not only support local businesses but it will also offer a cultural scene where individuals can enjoy an open access art exhibit while aligning with The Eglinton Way BIA’s vision of bringing additional vibrancy to the area. By creating unique public art sculptures, we will draw people to this unique main street district and encourage people to patronize local businesses. Our goal over the next five (5) years is to bring twenty-five (25) new sculptures into the neighbourhood. As of May 2023, three (3) sculptures have been installed.
Project Details
There are 5 sites identified for artwork within The Eglinton Way BIA catchment area:
- Castlewood Rd & Eglinton Ave W (Northwest side) – approximately 45 square feet
- Tarlton Rd & Eglinton Ave W (Southwest side) – approximately 29 square feet
- Elmsthorpe Ave & Eglinton Ave W (On the sidewalk in front of 419 Eglinton Ave W) – approximately 15 square feet
- Highbourne Rd & Eglinton Ave W (Southwest side) – approximately 43 square feet
- Oriole Parkway & Eglinton Ave W (Northwest side) – approximately 43 square feet
Following a competitive Selection Panel process, up to ten (10) shortlisted artists will be asked to develop a design concept for one (1) site. The sites will be described in detail in the Terms of Reference for short-listed artists. Artwork installation should take place no later than December 31, 2023.
Two-Stage Competition
This is a two-stage, open, national competition for professional artists based in Canada. Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:
- has specialized artistic training (not necessarily in academic institutions);
- is recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition);
- has a history of public exhibitions; and/ or
- has produced an independent body of work
A specially convened Selection Panel, composed of practicing arts professionals, BIA and community members, will be established for this two-stage competition.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
The Selection Panel will review all submissions and meet in early July 2023 to identify a shortlist of up to ten (10) artists, based on artistic excellence, relevant experience and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context. Two (2) artists will be shortlisted per site and the sites will be assigned to each of the shortlisted artists by the Selection Panel.
Stage 2: Shortlisted Artist Proposal Development
The shortlisted artists will be notified shortly after the selection panel’s first meeting and invited to participate in a two (2) month concept development period, which will result in a final concept design proposal and budget. A detailed Terms of Reference document will be provided to short-listed artists, with all of the detailed information required to prepare and submit their full proposals. Short-listed artists will be paid a fee of $1000 (HST inclusive) for this stage.
Each proposal will first undergo a technical review by City staff, in order to assess them for safety and maintenance concerns. Each artist will receive their technical feedback notes and have time to incorporate them into their proposals, if necessary. Proposals that are deemed not technically viable will not advance to the interview stage.
Following the technical review, shortlisted artists will attend a Community Open House (virtual or in-person – TBC) and present their proposals to the community in early August 2023 (date TBC). The community will provide feedback that will be consolidated and shared with the shortlisted artists and the selection panel. Each artist will have time to incorporate them into their proposals.
Technical reviews and community feedback will be circulated to the Selection Panel for final consideration.
Shortlisted artists will submit final proposals to the Selection Panel in late August 2023 (date TBC). The panel will choose five (5) artists whose vision for the site best suits the overall scope and intent of this project, and has the ability or perceived ability to conceive and realize a public artwork on this site. The selected artists will be notified in late August 2023. The five (5) works will be fabricated and installed by December 31, 2023.
Project Timeline
- May 10, 2023: EOI issued
- June 29, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST: EOI submissions due
- Early July 2023: Shortlisted artists notified
- Early August 2023: First draft proposals due, Technical Review, Community Open House
- Late August 2023: Final proposals due, Final artist selection
- Early September 2023: Agreements signed/Artwork fabrication period begins
- December 2023: Completed artworks installed
Submissions
Applications closed on June 29, 2023. Thank you for our interest in this opportunity.
Professional artists and artistic teams are invited to respond to this EOI by submitting a single PDF document. This PDF document must be labelled with the name of the artist and project (Last Name_First Name_EWBIA) and include:
1. 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 competition.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) – 3-page maximum. Detail professional experience as an artist, past public art experience, and other information relevant to this EOI. If applying as an artist team, please identify all team members and include a CV for each.
3. Artistic Support Material – Maximum of ten (10) images of work. For each image, provide a title and image number.
4. 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).
5. References – Names and contact information (current email and phone number) for two (2) references (preferably from recent public art projects). Please identify their role and affiliation in the project. Reference letters are not required.
Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EDT on June 29, 2023.
Contact
Collin Zipp
Public Art Manager
1-888-783-7780 (extension 704)
collin@stepspublicart.org
Project Partners
