Hamilton is located 45 km southwest of Toronto, in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The city is also close to Niagara Falls and the United States border. It is situated on the western end of the Niagara Peninsula, wrapping around the westernmost part of Lake Ontario. The city is located in the centre of the Golden Horseshoe area of southern Ontario, which wraps around Lake Ontario. The northern limit of Hamilton is marked by the Hamilton Harbour and the Niagara Escarpment runs through the middle of the city, dividing it into upper and lower Hamilton.

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. This land is further covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

In 2001, the City of Hamilton was formed from the amalgamation of Hamilton and its five neighbouring municipalities: Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, and Stoney Creek. The current population of Hamilton is approximately 570,000 people. Due to its location, the city has been an important Great Lake port and rail centre, and has a long military history. Traditionally, the Hamilton economy was made up of iron, steel and other types of manufacturing, leading to the nickname “the Steel City”. More recently there has been a shift away from manufacturing, towards more service sector jobs. Additionally, Hamilton and the surrounding area is a major fruit growing district.

Hamilton has a vibrant art scene, with museums and art galleries and a public art collection owned by the City. The city is home to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the third largest public art gallery in Ontario, and McMaster Museum of Art, at McMaster University. Additionally, the city is home to the annual Supercrawl arts and music festival which takes place every September as well as many other arts and cultural festivals and events.

In the mid 1800s, Hamilton did not have water and sewer systems, which led to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera. To deal with these issues, a waterworks powered by steam engines was built to bring clean water from the lake into the city. This Waterworks site, now known as the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, is regarded as an example of Canada’s early industrial revolution and a Civil and Power Engineering Landmark.

The water pipe corridor was installed diagonally through the east end to pump water from what is now the Museum site. It changed direction in the vicinity of what is now known as the intersection of Main and Ottawa Streets. The pipes then turned southward to a reservoir at the escarpment near the Kenilworth Avenue Access, where water was fed by gravity to the city below.

The city’s east end once consisted of rural land situated partially in the townships of Barton and Saltfleet. In the first decades of the 20th century the steel industry became prominent and land was needed to accommodate the industrial expansion and accompanying growth of population. The City of Hamilton acquired the lands now known as the East End, during the first half of the 20th century. Former agricultural lands were replaced with today’s urban fabric of street grid, housing, and large tracts of industrial properties. The Pipeline Trail traverses this grid diagonally.

Today, the Pipeline Trail is located in Ward 4 of the City of Hamilton in a corridor that is approximately 20 metres wide. Originating at the Museum of Steam and Technology site, the corridor runs diagonally through the neighbourhoods of Parkview West, Normanhurst, Homeside, and Crown Point East. The western Trail Head is located at the intersection of Main and Ottawa Streets. The eastern Trail Head is located at the intersection of Barton Street and Strathearne Ave.* The Pipeline Trail provides neighbourhood connections to schools, parks, playgrounds, and commercial areas. As the trail becomes fully developed, it has the potential for providing greater connectivity with linkages to the Red Hill Valley Trail, Escarpment Rail Trail, the Waterfront Trail, and parks such as Gage Park and Confederation Park.

*Note: the section between the Museum of Steam and Technology site and Barton is currently undeveloped and difficult to access.

The Pipeline Trail Public Artwork will be situated on a grass bank where the Pipeline Trail intersects with Garside Avenue North, south of Cannon Street East, indicated in yellow in Figure 1. below. Additional site images included below for context.

Note: There are underground power lines at this site that will need to be accounted for in foundation placement. Detailed information on the power line locations will be provided to shortlisted artists at Stage 2. Additional site information will also be provided to the shortlisted artists in Stage 2.

Figure 1: Artwork installation area

Figure 2: Artwork installation area (westward facing view)

Figure 3: Artwork installation area (eastward facing view)

The City of Hamilton, in consultation with the community through the Pipeline Trail Master Plan, has identified the themes of water innovation and infrastructure for this public artwork. The artwork should be functional in nature, and must serve one or all of the following purposes: seating, shade, wayfinding. The artwork can be either a singular structure or a series of works. No power (including photovoltaics) or water will be available to the design.

Artwork proposals are not requested at this time. Artist applications will be reviewed on the basis of artistic excellence, expressed written interest in the site and other professional qualification criteria listed below. 

This Call is open to all professional artists and artist/design teams residing in Canada. While this is a national competition, local and regional artists are encouraged to apply. Artist teams are welcome to apply but must share the total project award. Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:

• has specialised artistic training (not necessarily in academic institutions);
• is critically recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition);
• is active in and committed to their art practice;
• has a history of public exhibitions; and/or
• has produced an independent body of work.

The Selection Panel will be composed of arts professionals and neighbourhood residents/business owners that reflect the diversity of Hamilton.

STEPS and the City of Hamilton encourage applications from all qualified candidates that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, class, gender, race and sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities.

Applicants who need support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Collin Zipp (Public Art Manager, STEPS Public Art) at collin@stepspublicart.org at least two weeks before the application deadline to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.

Shortlisted artists and artist teams will be selected based on qualifications demonstrated from their submitted applications. Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel on the basis of:

• Previous artistic excellence demonstrated through previous samples of work
• Interest in the project and the site
• Past experience of managing and facilitating projects or public art competitions of similar scopes and sizes
• Assessment and review of references 

The Selection Panel will recommend a shortlist of up to four (4) artists/artist teams to move to Stage 2.

If selected for Stage 2, shortlisted artists/artist teams will be provided a fee of $1500 CAD (inclusive of taxes and other expenses) for the development of detailed artist proposals.

Shortlisted artists will be given detailed site information including deadlines/dates, site locations, dimensions and suitable artwork recommendations for the site (size, orientation, etc). Each artist/artist team will create a detailed artist proposal including a written artist statement, a project budget, engineering and foundation quotes (with timeline confirmations from fabricators, installers and engineers), fabrication and installation plans (including quotes) etc. Further details and deliverables will be provided at the outset of Stage 2. 

The shortlisted artists/artist teams will each prepare a five (5) minute video of their proposals to be virtually shared for public comments via the City’s Engage platform. Direct outreach to community and neighbourhood groups connected to the Pipeline Trail will be done by STEPS Public Art and the City of Hamilton to ensure the Engage platform link is shared with adjacent communities to provide them with the opportunity to offer feedback.

The artist/artist team selected by the Selection Panel as the competition winner and approved by the City of Hamilton will enter into a contract with the City of Hamilton to create the final public artwork.

The total Project Award is $170,000 CAD. The payment schedule will be as follows: 

1. $15,000 upon provision of quotes/work plans from engineer and fabricating consultant(s) 
2. $25,000 upon provision of all shop drawings, Engineering plans, studies or reports as required by and to the satisfaction of the Director of Tourism and Culture 
3. $55,000 when the work is approximately 40% complete (to be defined by schedule of values in artist agreement) 
4. $45,000 when the work is approximately 80% complete (to be defined by schedule of values in artist agreement)
5. $30,000 upon delivery to the site and final clean up after installation

Professional artists/artist teams are invited to respond to this RFQ by submitting a single PDF document. This PDF document must be labelled with the name of the artist and project (Name_Pipeline Trail Public Art). Each single PDF document must include the following:

1. Submission Form: Please complete the Submission Form and include it as the first page of your submission.
2. Letter of Intent: 2-page maximum (11 point font). Outline of artistic experience, ability, approach and interest in this project, site and community, highlighting relevant experience. While proposals are not accepted at this stage of the competition, we encourage artists to speak to the artwork themes in this letter.
3. 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 a team, provide one CV per team member. 3 page maximum. Detail professional experience as an artist, past public art experience, and other information relevant to this RFQ. If applying as a team, provide one CV per team member.
4. Artistic Support Material: Maximum of ten (10) images of work. For each image, a title and image number should be provided. If applying as a team, please only submit a total of ten (10) images.
5. 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 each).
6. References: Names and contact information (current email and phone number) for two (2) references (preferably from recent public art projects) with their role and affiliation listed. Reference letters are not required at this stage of the competition.

*If applying as a team, please list team members and submit required credentials for each. Please also only provide the contact information for the designated contact person.

Upon submission, please ensure you have carefully examined this Call for Artists document, including the Submission Form and any clarifications or revisions posted on the project website.

• December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024: Call for Artists is issued
• December 14, 2023 – January 31, 2024 (tentative): Selection Panel formed
• January 8, 2024 (7:00 PM EST): Artist Information Session
• February 2024: Shortlisted Artists identified
• February – April 2024: Shortlisted Artists develop detailed proposals, including video presentations of proposals to be shared for public comment
• April/May 2024: Final Artist selected, Artist Agreement signed
• May 2024 – September 2024: Final Artist/Artist Team begins artwork fabrication, foundation prep and installation planning
• October 2024: Artwork installed and opens to the public

This project has a tight turnaround time to ensure 2024 installation prior to cold weather conditions and will require the Shortlisted and Final Artist/Artist Team to complete the proposals and project components within the above timeline.

Submissions must be received by January 22, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.

Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be sent via email – 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. 

Email submissions to Collin Zipp (Public Art Manager) at collin@stepspublicart.org. Please use the subject line Hamilton Pipeline Trail RFQ Submission. Submissions must not exceed 20 MB in total size. All applicants will receive a notice by email that their application has been received. If you have submitted an application and do not receive notification within two weeks of the deadline date, please contact STEPS Public Art. 

Questions and requests for clarification will be received by email until Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST. 

Applicants who need additional support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.

Letters of recommendation or reference forms are not needed at this time. All that will be needed is the name of your reference, contact information, and their place of employment. You are welcome to include a short statement as to why they are your reference as well.

Artists will be required to provide their own engineers. However, if you are shortlisted, the City of Hamilton can provide you the contact information of local engineers. The City and STEPS Public Art do not endorse any of the contacts suggested, but will be happy to aid you in finding one if need be.

A building permit is not required; however, you will need installation permits. Permits needed will be dependent on your proposed design (e.g. if a crane or sidewalk closure is required for your installation process). Obtaining these permits will be the responsibility of the artist.

As installation is part of the scope of this project, a foundation is likely to be required and therefore a structural engineer. A Geotechnical Report has been commissioned by the City of Hamilton and therefore will not be required.

Yes, it is always helpful to include a budget of a past project in your support material. This will help the selection panel identify the type of work you have done and the scale/scope of that project budget.

The $170,000 is exclusive of HST. The shortlisted artist honorarium of $1,500 is inclusive of HST.

The end of October is a hard deadline. A foundation will likely be needed and if that is the case, we must ensure that the temperature will not disrupt the effective curing of said foundation.

An artwork is considered “permanent” by the City of Hamilton if it has a minimum lifespan of 50 years.

A maintenance plan is expected, but only for shortlisted applicants. Maintenance plans are not expected in Stage 1 of the application process. The shortlisted artists/artist teams will be provided a Terms of Reference document which will outline deliverables, timeline, and detailed site information.

The work can integrate mural art, but it must be functional in nature and permanent (which we define as lasting 50 years or more). For the purposes of this call, a functional artwork is one that provides shade, seating or wayfinding. A plywood mounted mural would not be appropriate for this call.

We encourage you to submit anything you feel best represents your practice and abilities to carry out public art projects of this nature.

Further information on services in the area will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

Wayfinding is a consistent identifier that indicates a path through a location. The Pipeline Trail runs through a large portion of Hamilton’s east end, and community members have expressed that it can be difficult to know where you are at any point in time when traveling the Trail. Improving wayfinding for this part of the Trail has been identified as one desirable outcome for this project.

If the intention of the work is to provide seating, a component of the piece should be compliant with AODA standards. AODA compliance details will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

Yes, all costs relating to fabrication up to the installation of the artwork must be covered by the artist or artist group within that $170,000 budget. That would include all insurances including for the installation of the artwork.

Yes and please be sure to include who the lead is in the Submission Form.

The City assumes responsibility and liability for the piece once installed; however the artist will assume responsibility for any deterioration of the artwork due to the workmanship or materials (which deterioration is not caused by a failure on the part of the City to follow the maintenance criteria provided by the artist), for a period of three (3) years from the date of final completion and acceptance of the installation by the City. Therefore the artist’s insurance coverage for this work does not extend for the lifespan of the work.

The Public Art Masterplan (2016-2023) directed two projects along the Pipeline Trail – Andrew Warburton Park and the Pipeline Trail at Kenilworth Avenue North. As costs have escalated since 2016, the budgets for these two projects were deemed inadequate, and these sites have seen development since then. The City has therefore combined these two budgets into one and has identified this location in consultation with the Ward Councillor and community stakeholders as a good location for a functional artwork as a linkage between the two busy sites; the site presents an opportunity for a work that provides wayfinding and establishes the site as a destination unto itself.

Yes, as long as you identify as an artist (definition adopted from the Canada Council Guidelines) and you feel that it is an opportunity right for you, we encourage you to apply.

As an artist, you will be required to meet the requirements laid out by the City of Hamilton for Commercial General Liability Insurance, WSIB, and other applicable coverage. Further information will be provided to shortlisted applicants. As advised by City of Hamilton Risk Management Staff, a minimum of $5,000,000 in Commercial General Liability Insurance will be required, as well as other applicable auto and property (equipment and materials) insurance. Details will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

As Hamilton is rapidly changing, we acknowledge the difficulties in future proofing wayfinding artworks. We encourage the artist to do their best while knowing that things will change in time. The artist may want to consider whether or not any artwork signage can be modified at a later date.

No, Hamilton does not have a dedicated fine art services company that specializes in art installation. The City of Hamilton uses multiple local art service companies in compliance with Procurement Policy.

At this stage in the process, some local residents have been contacted and notified of this project (this communication is ongoing by the City). If there are any considerations regarding privacy, they will be provided as part of the shortlisted artists’ Terms of Reference.

Receipts will not be required, but quotes from fabricators will be. The artist/artist teams are responsible for the overall budget of this project. The quotes will be the responsibility of each shortlisted applicant and the schedule of values will be required from the selected artist.

As previously mentioned, STEPS Public Art and The City of Hamilton cannot endorse any contractors or engineers, but can aid you in finding a local contractor to work with.

As advised by City of Hamilton Risk Management Staff, a minimum of $5,000,000 in Commercial General Liability Insurance will be required, as well as other applicable auto and property (equipment and materials) insurance. Details will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

The spirit of this approach is appreciated, but please be mindful that a permanent public art project anticipates a 50+ year lifespan. It is very difficult to guarantee neighbourhood engagement for 50+ years. If materials selected are maintenance intensive, and therefore costly, the project could be scored lower by the selection committee.

The Pipeline Trail Public Artwork will be situated on a grass bank where the Pipeline Trail intersects with Garside Avenue North, south of Cannon Street East. The surrounding neighbourhood is known as Homeside. Some use the Pipeline Trail for commuting by foot or bicycle. Artists are welcome and encouraged to do research on the neighbourhood in preparing their submissions. The City recommends the Pipeline Trail Masterplan as an excellent contextual resource for the area.

We understand that it is always possible that unforeseen circumstances could extend an intended deadline; however we ask that applicants plan to fabricate and install the work for October 2024. We acknowledge that this is a tight turnaround, and ask that this be taken into consideration when applying, and for shortlisted applicants in developing detailed designs and choosing fabricators and installers.