Call for Artists

Details:

The Town of Halton Hills Public Art Program builds an exceptional collection of Public Art. Its collection honours the creative spirit, instills a sense of wonder, encourages contemplation, and establishes Halton Hills as a creative community and a leader in public art. Our innovative public art program invites residents and visitors to explore and engage with all that Halton Hills has to offer in its natural, cultural, and urban spaces.  

The Public Art Program is guided by the Public Art Master Plan and Public Art Policy.  

The Public Art Roster ensures regional artists and creative professionals are provided the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a healthy, vibrant and connected community, enhance quality of life for residents and shape the Town’s cultural identity.  

Invited commissions and limited competitions may be facilitated for recurring/ongoing programs such as: 

• Smaller murals or surface treatments on community buildings, skate parks, construction hoarding or other civic infrastructure including the Bell Box Project; 

• Artistic treatments for utility box wraps including Under Wraps Program; 

• Banners and signage; 

• Street installations including crosswalks, picnic tables, traffic barriers, planter boxes; 

• Functional design elements like shade canopies, seating or other integrated components and; 

• Other projects valued under $15,000 

 Eligibility and Selection Process:

The Roster is open to both established and emerging artists and creative professionals. The Roster is populated through a bi-annual open call prioritizing regional artists. Submissions are reviewed by Town Staff, members of the Public Art Advisory Board, or in some cases an external artist adjudication panel. Upon acceptance to the Roster, artists are eligible to be contacted for direct commissions or limited competitions for a period of 5 years, with the option to re-apply at the next open call. There is no limit to the number of times an artist can apply to be on the Roster, and there is no limit to the number of active artists on the Roster at any given time.  

It is important to note that acceptance to the Roster does not guarantee a project offer. 

Eligibility 

The Public Art Roster is open to all artists residing or working within commuting distance of Halton Hills, whether working individually or in collaboration.  An artist is defined as a professional who is: 

• Objectively recognized as an artist by their peers, possesses training, skill, and/or experience in their artistic discipline; is active in and committed to their art practice and has a history of public presentation. The definition of artist adheres to the Canada Council for the Arts definition of a professional artist, visual and fine craft artist, or practitioner of architecture/landscape architecture.

 Artists do not have to be residents of Halton Hills to apply, but an understanding of, or relationship to, Halton Hills is considered an asset. Local and Regional artists are given preference. Artists must be able to be onsite to physically install artworks, including painting murals where applicable. The Town encourages a diversity of applicants, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, class, and religion. 

Selection process 

Portfolios will be evaluated by Town of Halton Hills staff, members of the Public Art Advisory Board and in some cases an external artist adjudication panel. Once reviewed, those added to the roster will be notified of their active status and will be contacted when opportunities arise. Adjudicators will review proposals using the assessment criteria outlined below, applying a four-point weighted evaluation rubric:

• Artistic excellence: Quality of work, originality, artistic vision, creativity and approach, contemporary artistic excellence and innovation (40%);

• Qualifications: Qualifications and past experience, including ability to meet technical requirements and implement projects of different scales within budget, timeline, and specified criteria (30%);

• Comprehension: Compliance with the objectives of the call including a demonstrated interested in the opportunity and interest in and connection to Halton Hills (20%);

• Collaboration: Artist’s capacity to collaborate with Town staff, contractors, other professionals and community groups as appropriate (10%).

 Submission Requirements:

Please read all components of the Call to Artists – Public Art Roster prior to completing your submission. A complete portfolio package includes the following documentation in single PDF: 

• Letter of interest (1 page maximum): a written description of why the artist or artist team is interested in public art opportunities of this scope and scale within Halton Hills, applicable qualifications and experience, and how their practice relates to public art and/or the project examples provided. It is suggested submissions contain an overview of the creative styles the artist uses and examples of previous works they have undertaken in the public realm, and/or other artistic accomplishments. Artists who are new to art in public spaces can contribute a portfolio with examples of artwork that demonstrate abilities, along with a vision of how they plan to expand their practice into public space. An indication of areas of interest including past mural experience, or ability to translate designs into vector files are encouraged during the submission process. If submitting as an artist team, please include only ONE letter of interest (maximum 2 pages) for the submitting team together with Artist CVs for all team members. Artist teams must clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of the various team members and identify the project lead for the team.  

• Artist’s CV: including all relevant contact information and links to the artist’s website and/or social media accounts used for artistic work.  

• Artist Bio: no more than 200 words, a concise third-person narrative that summarizes your artistic background, education, accomplishments, and career milestones. 

Exhibition Details:

Eligibility:

This call is open to youth ages 12 to 24 residing or attending school in the Town of Halton Hills. Art can include paintings, drawings, sketches, sculptures, and photography.

 Submission Requirements:

• Youth may submit more than one art piece, but all artworks must have their own attached form.

• Art must be dropped off at Town Hall before the submission deadline.

• Pieces do not need to be framed and do not need to be ready for hanging.