Current students, faculty, and staff
Application Deadline: Monday, April 28, 2024, 12:00 PM NOON, ET
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to partner with the Toronto Downtown West BIA (TDW BIA) to create an exclusive call-for-submissions from members of the OCAD U community. The TDW BIA is seeking a mural artist (or collective) to develop and produce a new mural at the University Triangle Garden, located at Front Street and University Avenue, northwest of Union Station. The selected artist will be awarded a project fee of $5,000, and a materials production budget not to exceed $3,000. The recipient will be selected by the Partner based on submission guidelines. The artwork is expected to be developed as new work based on an existing portfolio style and derived from an approved concept proposal. Artworks will be produced along a timeline ending in late June 2025.
PARTNER & PROJECT DETAILS
As the largest Business Improvement Area in Canada, Toronto Downtown West is a vibrant hub of arts, culture, hospitality, and entertainment, that together create a unique and vibrant urban experience. Since established in 2008 as the Toronto Entertainment District, the Toronto Downtown West BIA’s mandate is to promote and enhance this dynamic district. Benefitting from economic and social factors driving downtown growth, Toronto Downtown West has established itself as a thriving district for living, creating, working and entertainment.
The scope of work for this project includes:
Development and creation of a new exterior mural to be painted onto the retaining wall on the site referred to University Avenue Triangle, bordered by Front Street, University Avenue and York Street. This site will be undergoing a significant revitalization project in spring/summer 2025, and this new mural will contribute to that project. Correspondingly, the theme for this mural imagery is “Habitat in the City” Prior to undertaking the mural itself, around mid-May, the selected artist will first digitally submit a preliminary concept work to the client for approval. It is currently anticipated that the mural production period will take place May 13 – June 21, 2025 (subject to change).
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please provide the following information in one .pdf document:
Full contact information (Name, phone, and email)
CV or Resume
Website and/or Social Media handle
3 – 5 images of prior work that represents your creative practice laid out in one PDF file
A corresponding list for the support images including: artist name, title, year and medium, in the same PDF as the artwork images
A brief (300 words max) descriptive project proposal that:
o contextualizes your artistic approach to the project theme
o describes your practical approach to the production of the mural
o lists prior experience with mural production for clients (if any)
* If submitting as a collective or group, applicants should submit the above materials with one lead applicant and include each individual group members materials.
KEY DATES
April 28: Application Deadline
May 5 - 6: Selected artist(s) expected to be notified
May 7 – 13: Concept work development
May 13 – May 20: First phase of mural production
May 20: World Bee Day and “Garden Party” planting event on Site hosted by the BIA: one section of the mural expected to be visible on this day and attendance by the artist would be encouraged. Event details to be provided to the artist(s) in advance.
May 20 – June 21: Second phase of mural production
Week of June 22: Finalized mural to be unveiled. Date and event details TBD, and will be provided to the artist(s) in advance.
QUALIFICATIONS
Current OCAD U undergraduate students who have completed 15+ credits, current OCAD U Master’s students, or recent OCAD U alumni;
Must be able to create new, original work in Toronto within the project timeline and budget outlined above;
Previous experience with painted mural production for clients is an asset;
ILLU, DRPT and IAMD students and grads are especially encouraged to apply.
*Collectives and groups are welcome to apply provided the group consists only of eligible OCAD U students/grads.
RATE
$5,000 Project Fee
Up to $3,000 materials production budget
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS