Call for Caledon or Peel Region 2SLGBTQIA+Artists
The Town of Caledon and STEPS Public Art are commissioning one (1) artist to create innovative artist-painted picnic tables through a single-stage competition process.
Submission Deadline: May 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Building on the success of the 2024 public art muskoka chairs opportunity, the Town of Caledon and STEPS are seeking to animate up to five (5) picnic tables to be painted on-site as part of the annual Family Pride Picnic at Caledon East Park. This call is open solely to artists from the Caledon or Region of Peel who self-identify as being members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Up to two (2) picnic tables will be co-painted with community members as part of the Pride Family Picnic, with the artist returning to the site on June 1 and 2 to complete the remaining tables.
The commissioned artist will be selected through a single-stage process. The project budget of $4,500 CAD is inclusive of artist fees and all costs directly associated with the artwork (all artist fees, production, materials, other professional services, insurance, travel, delivery, and other incidental expenses). An additional budget of $635 CAD has been put aside for an artist assistant fee to support the artist. The artist is responsible for the selection of the artist assistant.
Picnic tables will be provided and installed on-site by the Town of Caledon. All tables will be constructed out of pressure-treated wood that is sanded and ready-to-prime.
Artist Credit: Alessandra Vai
Photo Credit: Anushay Sheikh
Eligibility
This call is open solely to artists from the Region of Peel who self-identify as being members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Applicants with connections to the Town of Caledon will be prioritized.
Artists must submit samples of previous work, demonstrating their ability to work in public spaces and directly with the community. Submissions will be based on artistic excellence, expressed written interest in the project, experience in facilitating community-engaged initiatives, connection to Peel Region (and Caledon in particular), and self-identified lived experience as being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
As the artist will be working with a diversity of demographics through community engagement activities, they will be required to successfully pass a Vulnerable Sector Screening (to be administered by STEPS). Any artist assistants are also required to successfully pass a Vulnerable Sector Screening.
Submission Requirements
Each artist/artist team should create a detailed artist proposal including:
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- Letter of Intent: 300 words maximum. Outline of artistic experience, ability, approach and interest in this project, site and community, highlighting relevant experience and your connection to Peel Region and Caledon if applicable.
- Community Facilitation Outline: A brief outline (500 words maximum) on how you will set up and facilitate community involvement in the painting of up to two (2) picnic tables.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): 3-page maximum. Detailed professional experience as an artist, past public art experience, and other information relevant to this Expression of Interest (EOI). If applying as a team, provide one CV per team member.
- Past Work Example Images: A maximum of five (5) images of past work, demonstrating ability to deliver durable public art projects and experience with community engagement. For each image, a title and image number should be provided.
If applying as a team, please list team members and submit the required credentials for each. Please also only provide the contact information for the designated contact person. Please note that the award would be shared among team members.
Design Considerations and Specifications
The final designs for the five (5) tables, as developed by the selected artist, shall be reasonably acceptable to be displayed in a family-oriented public setting, giving consideration to the colours, contextual design (how it will fit into its surroundings), and functional design for intended use as an eating surface in an outdoor area, while exploring themes related to the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience.
The tables are typically about 8’ long and 4’ wide. The tables will be delivered to the site in prime-ready condition.
How to Submit
Submissions must be received by May 12, 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. Final submissions must not exceed 10 MB in total size.
Questions and requests for clarification will be received by email until May 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST. Applicants who need additional support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Ima Esin, Cultural Planner at ima@stepspublicart.org, to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.
Contact
Ima Esin, Cultural Planner
1-888-783-7780 ext. 3
ima@stepspublicart.org
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