Call for Artists: Region of Durham Public Art Benches

STEPS and the Region of Durham are seeking to commission up to six (6) innovative artist-made benches that enhance the aesthetic appeal and cultural significance of transit stops and public spaces.

Deadline: April 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
Compensation: Up to six (6) awards of $7,000 CAD each (inclusive of taxes)

Photo Credit: Region of Durham

Opportunity Overview

Inspired by public art benches commissioned by The Woodlands Arts Council in Texas, the Region of Durham is seeking to commission up to six (6) innovative artist-made benches that enhance the aesthetic appeal and cultural significance of transit stops and public spaces. Selected artists will fabricate a bench for the Region of Durham to be delivered for installation in June 2025.

The commissioned artists will be selected through a single-stage process. Each project budget of $7,000 CAD includes all costs directly associated with the artwork: including all taxes (e.g., HST), artist fees, production, materials, and other professional services, insurance, travel, delivery, and other incidental expenses.

These six (6) unique, sculptural benches will serve both functional and artistic purposes. Applying artists are encouraged to explore creative ways to incorporate their artistic visions into functional and accessible seating.

Community Background

The Region of Durham exists on lands that the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg inhabited for thousands of years prior to European colonization. These lands are the traditional and treaty territories of the Nations covered under the Williams Treaties, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and the Chippewa Nations of Georgina Island, Beausoleil and Rama. These lands have also historically been home to Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples and are now home to many diverse communities of Inuit and Métis peoples. Durham Region honours, recognizes, and respects Indigenous Peoples as rights holders and stewards of the lands and waters on which Durham residents have the privilege to live.

Located just east of Toronto, Durham Region offers a vibrant mix of rural, urban and suburban landscapes. The northern part of the region is predominantly rural, with a thriving agricultural sector and the picturesque Oak Ridges Moraine. In contrast, the southern lakeshore communities are hubs of urban development, featuring a diverse employment base, dynamic neighbourhoods, and bustling downtowns. Durham Region is made up of eight unique municipalities, each offering distinct charm and attractions.

Installation Locations

The benches are planned to be installed at Durham Region Transit bus stops at the following locations, however, these are subject to change:

• Harwood Avenue North outside of the Grandview Children’s Health Centre, Ajax
• Baldwin Street Northbound at Winchester Road, Brooklin
• King Avenue East Westbound at Beaver Street, Newcastle
• Bond Street East Westbound at Mary Street, Oshawa
• Pickering Parkway Terminal Platform B13, Pickering
• Dundas Street Westbound at Cochrane Street, Whitby

Eligibility

Artwork proposals will be reviewed on the basis of safety and durability, artistic excellence, expressed written interest in the project and other professional qualification criteria listed below. 

This Call to Artists is open to all Canada-based professional artists, however, artists should note that they are responsible for delivering the benches to Durham Region. Artist teams are welcome to apply but must share the total project award. 

Per the Canada Council for the Arts guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who:

• has specialized 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.

Selection Process

The Selection Panel will be composed of art and design professionals and project stakeholders. Up to six (6) artists/artist teams will be selected based both on designs and qualifications demonstrated from their submitted applications. 

The six (6) selected designs will be approved by Durham Region and/or the local area municipality where it will be located. 

Artists will enter into a contract with the Region. The Region will own the works upon acceptance and will be responsible for installation, maintenance and signage.

Request for Proposals/Application Requirements

Each artist/artist team should create a detailed artist proposal including: 

• 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 Durham Region if applicable. 
• Artist Statement: 600 words maximum. Provide a description of the proposed concept addressing the public art vision and how it meets the design considerations and specifications listed below. This statement may be used in public presentation materials.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): 3-page maximum. Detail 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.
• Concept Images: Maximum of ten (10) images of the proposed bench. For each image, a title and image number should be provided. 
• Fabrication and Maintenance: Provide a detailed description, including dimensions and estimated weight; materials (include copies of any manufacturer’s technical data), fabrication methods, durability of the proposed materials, and a list of post-installation maintenance requirements and estimated costs associated with the maintenance of the artwork after installation.
• Budget: Applicants should develop their proposals based on the overall commissioning budget of $7,000 CAD (inclusive of HST) identified for the design, supply, and fabrication. This includes, but is not limited to: artist fees, materials, studio/fabrication costs, personal liability insurance, etc.

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.

Design Considerations and Specifications

The selected designs shall be reasonably acceptable to be displayed in a family-oriented public setting, giving consideration to the colours, structural design (how it is built), contextual design (how it will fit into its surroundings), and functional design for intended use as an outdoor bench adjacent to a roadway.

Benches are typically about 72” long, 29” wide and 33” tall. While the proposed designs do not need to be exactly this size, artists should consider that the bench may be struck by vehicles leaving the roadway. The design should consider risks associated with a motor vehicle accident and should be collapsable on impact.

The bench must be constructed of durable materials that will be easy to maintain in an outdoor environment for at least ten (10) years. 

Bench designs should be comfortable and safe for a minimum of two (2) people to sit on and be able to support a minimum of 600 lbs. 

Benches must be designed in a way that allows them to be installed on a concrete pad with 10mm lag bolts and matching concrete anchored inserts.

The Regional Municipality of Durham is committed to ensuring that people of all ages and abilities enjoy the same opportunities as they live, work, play, visit and invest in our region. The Region is committed to meeting the requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) to support the vision of a fully accessible Ontario by 2025. By implementing AODA requirements, the Region aims to build a healthy, inclusive, age-friendly community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The public art benches must be designed with accessibility in mind (i.e., they must have a backrest, must be easy to sit and get up from, etc.). For more information on designing for accessibility, see the City of Oshawa Accessibility Design Standards, 2.10.1 Benches and Seats.

Estimated Project Timeline

• Call to Artists Published: February 13, 2025
• Submission Deadline: April 16, 2025
• Selection Notifications Sent: Week of April 31, 2025
• Bench Fabrication: May– July 2025
• Installation: Late July 2025

This project has a tight turnaround time to ensure timely installation and will require the selected artists/artist teams to complete the project components within the above timeline.

Application Delivery and Deadline

Submissions must be received by April 16, 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.

Please upload your submissions through the Google Form. Final submissions must not exceed 10 MB in total size.

Questions and requests for clarification will be received by email until March 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST. Applicants who need additional support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Madison Kennedy, Cultural Planner at madison@stepspublicart.org by March 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.

Contact

Collin Zipp, Public Art Manager
Phone: 1-888-783-7780 ext. 704
Email: collin@stepspublicart.org

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