National Call To Canadian Artists With Connections To Ottawa, Request For Qualifications
Maison Riverain Mural
Deadline: August 23, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET
Award: $30,000 CAD (HST INCLUSIVE)
Opportunity Overview
STEPS Public Art and Main + Main invite professional Canadian artists and artist teams with connections to Ottawa to submit qualifications for the first stage of a two-stage public art competition. This opportunity is for the creation of a new mural to be installed at 300 Montgomery Street, Ottawa, ON. The work of art should incorporate the character, history, environment, and culture of the neighbourhood. Artists should be from or living in Ottawa, or hold strong connections to the City. Artists must include in their application a written description of their connections to Ottawa.
The selection process will follow an open, two-stage format. Up to three (3) artists or artist teams will be shortlisted and awarded $750 CAD (HST inclusive) each to develop detailed design proposals. One artist or artist team will be selected for the final commission.
The total budget for this project is $30,000 CAD (HST inclusive), which must cover all costs related to the project, including (but not limited to) artist fees, materials, equipment rentals, installation, site preparation, professional services, insurance, permits, travel and all other associated expenses.
Community Background
Vanier is a diverse and vibrant neighbourhood located in Ottawa’s east end. Originally established as the independent city of Eastview and later renamed Vanier, the community was amalgamated into Ottawa in 2001. Vanier was historically a francophone and working class community. The neighbourhood is now home to a mix of residential areas, local businesses, cultural organizations, parks, and social services. Ongoing revitalization initiatives, combined with its rich history and cultural diversity, continue to strengthen Vanier as an inclusive, welcoming, and dynamic urban community.
Maison Riverain is a significant new development composed of three towers ranging from 22 to 32 storeys. Once complete, it will provide over 1,000 new rental housing units for the Vanier community, alongside new retail and shopping opportunities.
Mural location (area above red car), Maison Riverain, provided by Main + Main (Ottawa ON)
Project Objectives
The mural envisioned for this project will explore Vanier’s ongoing evolution as a community and its important role within Ottawa’s contemporary identity. The artwork should reflect Vanier as a place with a rich history, a strong sense of community, and an evolving narrative shaped by the people who live, work, gather, and build relationships there.
The mural should speak to both continuity and transformation, acknowledging the layered identities, cultures, stories, and lived experiences that contribute to Vanier’s character. Artists will be encouraged to develop a contemporary mural concept that is visually compelling, locally responsive, and meaningful to residents, while also contributing to a broader conversation about place, belonging, and the future of the neighbourhood.
Artwork Theme, Scope Of Work & Site Information
The mural will be completed as part of the project’s second phase and is envisioned as a major public-facing artwork integrated onto the building. Its placement offers an opportunity to create a vibrant, highly visible work that responds to the scale, materiality, and architectural character of the development while maintaining a strong presence at street level.
The mural will front onto a new public park at the nexus of Selkirk and Montgomery Streets, in the heart of the surrounding residential area. This prominent location positions the artwork as a community landmark, contributing to the daily experience of residents, visitors, and passersby. The work should help animate the streetscape, strengthen the connection between the development and the surrounding neighbourhood, and contribute to a welcoming, engaging, and memorable public realm.
Under the theme Where We Are Going, artists are invited to explore ideas of transition, growth, movement, renewal, and collective futures. Artists may reflect on Vanier’s historic, social, and economic changes; how residents experience the neighbourhood today; and how the community imagines its future.
The anticipated mural dimensions are 20’H x 60’W. These dimensions are intended as a starting point, and shortlisted artists are welcome to propose alternative sizing based on their concept, budget, and overall vision. The artwork may also extend beyond the rectangular area to create a more organic shape. Additional site information will be provided to shortlisted artists.
Two-Stage Public Art Competition
This is a two-stage, open competition for Canadian artists/artist teams with connections to Ottawa. Per the Canada Council’s guidelines, a professional artist is defined as someone who meets one or all of the following criteria:
- 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.
Main + Main will shortlist three (3) artists to create detailed proposals. The client will select one (1) final artist who will be awarded the commission.
Stage One: Request for Qualifications
The client will review all submissions and identify a shortlist of up to three (3) 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. Design proposals will not be accepted during this Stage One selection process.
Stage Two: Shortlisted Artist Proposal Development
The shortlisted artists will be notified shortly after the Client’s selection and invited to participate in a proposal development period, which will result in a detailed final proposal, a proposed design and written rationale, a timeline and a detailed budget. A Terms of Reference document will be provided to shortlisted artists, containing all the information required to prepare and submit their full proposals. Shortlisted artists will be paid a fee of $750 CAD (HST inclusive) for this stage.
Shortlisted artists will submit final proposals for client review. The Client will choose one (1) artist/artist team whose vision best suits the overall scope and intent of the project, and has the ability or perceived ability to conceive and realize a public artwork on the site. The public artwork will be produced and installed in Spring 2027 (start date pending weather).
Project Timeline
July 13, 2026
- Call-to-Artists is issued
August 23, 2026
- Call-to-Artists is closed
September 2026
- Shortlisted Artists identified by Client
October – December 2026
- Shortlisted Artist develop detailed proposals
January – February 2027
- Shortlisted artist deliberations
- Selected Artist chosen
- Artist contract with STEPS developed
March – May 2027 (pending weather)
- Selected Artist begins artwork fabrication
- Artworks installed
- Artwork opens to the public
- Client hosts opening/celebration as necessary
Submissions
Professional artists and artistic teams are invited to respond to this RFQ by submitting a single PDF document via Google Forms. This PDF document must include:
- Artistic Statement – 1 page maximum. Outline your artistic experience, abilities, approach, and interest in this project, highlighting relevant experience. Please include your connection to Ottawa, as well as any understanding of the neighbourhood where the artwork will be installed. Please note that proposals will not be accepted at this stage of the competition. Applications that include proposals will be deemed ineligible.
- 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 work.
- 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).
- 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 will not be accepted.
Additional artist/artist team information will also be required when filling out the Google Form.
Application Delivery and Deadline
Submissions must be received by Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. 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 20 MB in total size. Please note the Google Form will automatically close at the deadline and any submissions submitted after this time will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure the application package is complete and submitted by the posted deadline.
Questions and requests for clarification will be received by email until August 7, 2026 at 12 PM noon ET. Applicants who need accommodations or support applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Collin Zipp at collin@stepspublicart.org at least 15 business days before the application deadline to allow STEPS to appropriately accommodate your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.
Main + Main reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, or any part thereof, or to terminate or re-advertise the RFQ. The decision of the client is final.
Contact
Collin Zipp
Public Art Manager
1-888-783-7780 (extension 704)
collin@stepspublicart.org
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