Waterfront Toronto, in collaboration with Indigenous Public Art Curator Ryan Rice, is seeking Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from Indigenous artists or Indigenous artist-led teams for two (2) significant, permanent site-specific public art commissions in Toronto’s West Don lands. The first site for artwork is located on the plaza of the future Anishnawbe Heath Toronto’s Indigenous Hub. The second site is the triangle of land formed by the intersection of King, Queen, and River Streets. This is an exceptional opportunity for each artwork to contribute towards celebrating and acknowledging the unique vitality of historical and contemporary Indigenous visual culture as city placemaking in Toronto.
This RFQ is open to all interested practicing Indigenous artists and Indigenous artist-led teams from across Canada.
The RFQ is the first stage of a competition, open to all Indigenous artists or Indigenous artist-led teams who have proven experience and expertise as practicing artists, relevant to the commissioning opportunity and objectives outlined in the project descriptions.
It is Waterfront Toronto’s intention, following this prequalification process, to invite approximately four (4) artists for each project to proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. Shortlisted artists will receive an honorarium to cover the expenses of the RFP stage, including a site visit and concept development. Following the RFP stage, Waterfront Toronto intends to identify one successful artist or artist-led team for each project.
The total combined budget for both projects is $1,750,000 CAD. Budgets include all costs directly associated with the artwork: fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering, and professional services.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, meetings, presentations, and outreach and engagement for the later stages may be done virtually.
Note: Artwork concepts are NOT required at this RFQ stage.
General Submission Requirements
Waterfront Toronto is inviting practicing Indigenous artists to include in their submission:
Application Form
Artist statement
Artist CV
Images of recent work
References
Submissions will be reviewed by an independent evaluation committee convened for this process, comprised of prominent external individuals representing expertise in Indigenous contemporary visual arts and culture, public realm design, and knowledge of local context and histories.
Budget
The total commissioning artwork budget for Site 1: Indigenous Hub is $750,000 CAD plus HST.
The total commissioning budget for Site 2: King/Queen Triangle is $1,000,000 CAD plus HST.
These project budgets include all costs directly associated with the artwork: fees for design, fabrication, installation, engineering, and professional services.
RFQ Timeline
Issue RFQ: August 5, 2021
Artist Briefing Session*: 6 p.m. September 15, 2021 (EST)
Deadline for Questions: September 30, 2021
Submission Deadline: 4 p.m. October 7, 2021 (EST)
Shortlist Selection: November 1, 2021
Issuance of RFP to Shortlisted Artists: November 10, 2021
*For the virtual Artist Briefing Session, please email publicart@waterfrontoronto.ca to register and a link will be provided.
For more information about the opportunity, including detailed submission requirements, please download the PDF and Application Form (https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/nbe/portal/waterfront/Home/waterfronthome/our-vision/design%20excellence/public+art)
