Call for Artist | Indigenous Art Mural at the RBC Convention Centre
Call for Artists | Indigenous Art Mural at the RBC Convention Centre
Call to Artists: Open Call for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications
Deadline: July 26, 2024
Fee for Selected Final Artist (Stage 2) $12,000
Implementation Budget$55,000 - $70,000
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and the RBC Convention Centre are seeking to
commission a new site-specific mural along an exterior wall of the RBC Convention
Centre. This call is for Indigenous artists who demonstrate a strong connection to the
community of Winnipeg and Treaty One Territory. Eligible Indigenous artists, including
emerging and youth artists, are invited to submit expressions of interest and
qualifications for this call.
The commissioned artist will be selected through an open, two-stage process. In Stage
One, artists will be shortlisted based on their qualifications. In Stage Two, the
shortlisted artists will create detailed proposals based on conversations and feedback
from the Indigenous led Selection Committee.
ARTWORK LOCATION
The artwork will be displayed on 4 wall panels totaling approximately 270 feet long by
10 feet high, located along St. Mary Avenue between Carlton Street and Edmonton
Street. Exact measurements for the panels will be provided in Stage 2. The panel
surface is made of highly textured concrete. The project aims to celebrate Indigeneity,
inclusivity, and diversity, transforming the space into a vibrant piece of public art.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to create public art that supports Indigenous expression, embodies
Indigenous joy and celebrates diverse Indigeneity at this prominent gathering place in
downtown Winnipeg. The installation aims to:
• Celebrate different Indigenous Cultures (Dene, Cree, Metis, Inuit, Ojibwe,
Anishinew, Dakota)
• Follow a theme of Indigenous Joy and Lateral Love
• Highlight the lands of Treaty One from the Red River to the Prairie Lands
• Enhance the downtown Winnipeg streetscape
• Empower Indigenous voices through unity and inclusion
• Promote community, collaboration, and teamwork
ESTIMATED PROJECT TIMELINE
Stage One
• July 2024: Call to artists is issued
Stage Two
• Beginning of August 2024: Shortlisted artists identified; shortlisted artists
develop detailed proposals
• End of August 2024: Proposals due from shortlisted artists
• Beginning of September 2024: Final artist selected, artist agreement signed
• September to October 2024: Mural production
• October 2024: Mural unveiling
This project has a tight turnaround time to allow for 2024 installation and will require
the shortlisted and selected artist/artist team to complete the proposals and project
components within the above timeline. Install of the artwork is contingent on funding.
STAGE ONE
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
This Call for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications is open to all Indigenous artists
and Artist-led Indigenous teams, including emerging and youth artists, who have a
demonstrated connection to the community of Winnipeg. Artist-led Indigenous teams
are welcome to apply but must share the total artist fee. Artists of all ages including
youth are encouraged to submit applications. It is our goal to provide mentorship
opportunities through this project.
APPLICATION FORMAT
Artist-led teams are invited to respond to this Call for Expressions of Interest and
Qualifications by submitting a single PDF document. This PDF document must be
labelled with the artist's name and project title (LastName_FirstName_RBC Convention
Centre Mural).
Each PDF document must include the following:
• Letter of Intent: Maximum 2 pages (12-point font). Outline of who you are, your
artistic experience, ability, approach, and interest in this project, site, and
community. Highlight relevant experience and themes.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detail professional experience as an artist, past public art
experience, and other relevant information. If applying as a team, provide one CV
per team member.
• Connection to Local Communities: Maximum 1 page (12-point font). Include
detailed ways you are connected to the local communities of Winnipeg and the
surrounding area.
• Examples of Previous Work: Minimum of 5, maximum of 10 images of previous
work. This can be any artwork that you believe is relevant to the submission.
Provide a title and brief description of each work. If applying as a team, submit a
total maximum of 10 images.
• Self Identification: Please provide a statement of self identification of
Indigenous ancestry. If applying as a team, please provide self identification for
all team members. If short listed, you may be asked to provide documentation to
support this.
• References: Names and contact information (current email and phone number)
for two references who can speak to your artistic experience.
Notes for Artists
• Implementation of the project is dependent on funding.
• The Selection Committee will be lead by Indigenous community members to
ensure the authenticity and cultural integrity of the project.
• Artists may be required to provide proof of Indigenous ancestry
Artwork proposals are not requested at this time. Only shortlisted artists will be asked
to provide a proposal for the space.
Community and Collaboration
Our goal is to foster a warm, inclusive atmosphere and celebrate the rich diversity within
Indigenous cultures here in Winnipeg. We are transparent about promoting community,
collaboration, and teamwork throughout the project. We encourage artists to apply as
teams and will also have mentorship support from a local Artist for applicants who seek
additional supports.
SELECTION PROCESS
Stage One: Open Call for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications
Shortlisted artists and artist-led teams will be selected based on qualifications
demonstrated in their submitted applications. Applications will be reviewed by a
Selection Panel on the basis of:
• Previous artistic excellence demonstrated through previous samples of work
• Sensitivity to the project and the site
• Connection to the local community
• Demonstrated ability to successfully execute a project of this scale under the
criteria developed and within the budget and timeline set out
• Experience with and expressed desire to create artwork for and in the public
realm
• Assessment and review of references
The Selection Panel will recommend a shortlist of up to three (3) artists to move to
Stage 2.
APPLICATION DELIVERY AND DEADLINE
Submissions must be received by July 26, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST. Incomplete and/or
late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted digitally via
email.
Please send your submissions to [email protected]. Final
submissions must not exceed 10 MB in total size.
For questions and requests for clarification, please contact Ramy Penner at
[email protected]. The final date for questions is July 19, at 2pm. All
questions and answers regarding project specifics will be posted in the form of an
addendum on the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s website at
https://downtownwinnipegbiz.co.... A virtual public session addressing all addendums will be held on
July 22 at4:30pmand the recording will be uploaded to
https://downtownwinnipegbiz.co... following the session.
Applicants should identify if they require accommodation during the application
process on a confidential basis. Applicants who need additional support should contact
Ramy Penner by July 19, 2024. We can provide this Call to Artist and any addendums in
an alternate format upon request. We will accommodate alternate submission formats
upon request.
This call for artists represents a unique chance to contribute to the cultural and
aesthetic landscape of downtown Winnipeg. We look forward to your submissions and
the opportunity to celebrate Indigenous expression through this significant art
installation.
FUTURE PROJECT PHASE - STAGE TWO
The Selection Committee will review all applications and select up to three (3) artists /
artist-led teams to be shortlisted and paid $2,500 each (inclusive of taxes and other
expenses) to work with the Selection Committee to produce a proposal.
Shortlisted artists will be given detailed project information including deadlines, dates,
and site locations. All shortlisted artists will be responsible for performing a site visit.
Each artist/artist-led team will create a detailed proposal including a written artist
statement, a project budget, production and installation plan, etc. Further details and
deliverables will be provided at the outset of Stage 2 and will include mentorship for
emerging and youth artists.
The final artist/artist-led team selected by the Selection Panel as the competition
winner and approved by the RBC Convention Centre, will enter into a contract with the
RBC Convention Centre to create the final public artwork. The final selected artist will be
paid an artist fee of $12,000.
Implementation of Stage Two the project is dependent on funding.