Centre City Banners: Call for Artists

For over a decade, the Centre City Banner Program has engaged local artists to create original artwork for banners displayed on poles on five bridges leading into the core, creating open air galleries and acting as gateways to Calgary’s downtown and cultural district. Since 2021, Calgary Arts Development has managed this program, commissioning and working with artists to create artwork and partnering with the City of Calgary for production and installation of the banners. Visit our website for more information on the Centre City Banner program. You can learn more about the program’s background on the City of Calgary’s website here.

Three artists will be selected to develop six original artworks that consider the different characteristics of Calgary, and celebrate our cultures, communities, histories, geography and diversity. Artists are selected by an assessment committee and the display period for each artist’s series lasts for approximately one year, with installations in May. Throughout the year, the City of Calgary may temporarily replace the banners to mark specific dates or occasions.

Banners will be displayed at the following locations:

• Centre Street Bridge
• MacDonald Bridge
• Louise (10 Street ) Bridge
• Mewata (14 Street) Bridge
• Reconciliation Bridge

The objectives for the Centre City Banner Program are to:

• Enhance the streetscape and provide a vibrant and colourful ‘placemaking’ statement.
• Highlight bridges as ‘gateways’ into the downtown core.
• Celebrate Calgary’s culture, communities, histories, geography and diversity.
• Provide opportunities for artists of all levels to share their artworks and stories.
• Provide pedestrians, cyclists and drivers with an engaging visual art experience.

We acknowledge that the land we gather on, Mohkinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

Calgary Arts Development is committed to the process of eliminating institutional racism, ableism and barriers in our programs, policies and practices by centring the creativity and leadership of those communities most impacted by structural inequities. Read our full Commitment to Equity statement on our website.

Calgary Arts Development supports The City of Calgary’s response to the federal Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action, as documented in the White Goose Flying Report. All applicants are encouraged to reflect on their journey and understanding of what Truth and Reconciliation is, and how it may relate to their proposed projects.

If your work includes Indigenous content, involves work with Indigenous people or you would like to include Indigenous knowledge or ways of knowing and doing, it is recommended that you read:

• Calls to Action found in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• White Goose Flying Report

Calgary Arts Development follows a “Nothing About Us Without Us” policy. If you are planning on creating artwork that includes Indigenous stories or ways of knowing, you must collaborate with Indigenous community members.

The selected artists will develop and refine an original concept and design that considers the multiple contexts of Calgary and the communities in which the banners will be displayed.

Artists will be paid $8,000 (not including GST) to create six original artworks. This includes all costs associated with design, layout planning, engagement and participation in communications for the artwork. Additional banner designs are permitted, however no additional budget will be allocated.

Artists are expected to work closely with the project team, which includes Calgary Arts Development Public Art staff and project lead, as well as staff from The City of Calgary, and the City’s pre-qualified printer.

Artworks will be subject to approval at various stages throughout development by Calgary Arts Development and The City of Calgary.

The artist will review and provide comments on colour samples and printing proofs for quality control purposes and develop and supply an installation layout plan for each install site.

The artist will develop and provide an artist bio and artwork statement to be used in communications about the Centre City Banner program. The artist will be expected to work with Calgary Arts Development staff for promotion of the program and their artwork.

The artist’s fee and scope of work does not include printing, installation or maintenance of the banners. These tasks are funded and managed by The City of Calgary. All printing will be undertaken by a printer that has been pre-qualified by The City.

Artists will be provided comprehensive design templates for banner specifications. Banner dimensions vary in size from 81 cm (32”) by 183 cm (72”) up to 81 cm (32”) by 196 cm (77”). Artists are only required to produce their design at the maximum height (196 cm / 77”) but should create their artwork to accommodate up to 13 cm (5”) of cropping at the bottom to adapt to shorter banner heights.

The banners will be digitally printed, and final artwork must be delivered as vector files or 300 DPI raster images. The printer will require native files (EPS, AI, etc.) or a PDF.

Artwork must be colourful and vibrant. Bright and bold colours are required as they fade less across the one-year viewing period. Overly pale, white, grey or sky-blue colours are discouraged as they blend into the background. Contrasting colours and elements can ensure greater visibility. Final artwork design should contain appropriate levels of detail and scale for viewing by pedestrians, motorists and cyclists from a distance.

Artwork must be original to the artist and created for the purpose of this call. To see some of the past works visit the program webpage here.

This opportunity is open to all Treaty 7 based artists or artist collectives at any stage of their career. We encourage submissions from artists who are typically underrepresented or experience barriers to arts opportunities. Artists should live within Treaty 7 to work with the project team as travel is not provided. Experience working with commissions, project teams, and managing similar sized budgets and projects is an asset, but not a requirement.

If you are unsure about eligibility, please reach out to the project lead, Alex Lingnau, at alex.lingnau@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403.264.5330 ext.110.

Applications are accepted through SmartSimple, our online application platform. The application form will be available on the date the program opens, January 6, 2025. Applicants must be registered as an Individual Artist or Artist Collective to apply. If you need support registering through our application platform or need help applying due to accessibility concerns, please contact publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Applicants will be notified of their results by email. Successful applicants will be sent an artist agreement and are required to sign and return the agreement within 30 days of receiving it. We use electronic fund transfers to make payments. If you are selected for this opportunity, you will be required to provide a void cheque or direct deposit form with your banking information. Please let us know if you need any help with this.

Successful applicants will be selected by a committee made up of artists, arts professionals, community representatives and subject matter experts. If you are interested in participating on an assessment committee, please apply through this link.

Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Letter of Interest (40 Points)
(Max 500 words)

• Explain your interest in this opportunity and your connection to Calgary/Mohkinsstsis.
• This project requires colorful and vibrant artworks. Explain your approach to developing artworks for a commission with such rigid visual requirements.
• How will this opportunity support your practice?

Curriculum Vitae (15 points)

• Provide a concise history of any arts education, exhibition or work experience.
• Demonstration of relevant experience in public art, visual art or design.

Portfolio Images (30 points)

• Minimum of five (5) and up to 10 images of existing finished artworks uploaded as individual media files. The following information must be included for each image: title, date, size, materials and a brief description.
• Demonstration of an artistic practice that translates well to this medium.
• Demonstration of artistic skills and approaches needed to deliver a compelling design for this project, including experience creating digital artwork.

Artist Statement (15 points)

• Describe your current artistic practice and the themes in your work.

Each criterion will be scored out of 10 and will be multiplied based on the available points in each section. For example, a score of 8 out of 10 on the Letter of Interest will equal 32/40.

Scoring Guidelines

10 Exceeds expectations
8 Somewhat exceeds expectations
6 Meets expectations
4 Somewhat meets expectations
2 Does not meet expectations
0 Lack of valid response

Only selected artists will be asked to create a new artwork for the Centre City Banner program.

Artists are responsible for ensuring that submissions are received by the deadline. For any accommodations and application assistance, please reach out no later than 10 business days before the deadline. Any application not received by the closing date and time will not be considered. Do not send materials that have not been requested, as they will not be reviewed.

The application process is competitive. The assessment panel will review all eligible and complete applications. Decisions of the selection panel are final and the panel reserves the right to select no applications. Assessment committees are held to the Group Agreements intended to commit to open, generous and respectful evaluations and communications.

Anyone can ask to participate on a Calgary Arts Development assessment committee by completing the Assessor Nomination Form or by emailing publicart@calgaryartsdevelopment.com

Assessment committees are chosen to represent the broad diversity of Calgary and its artistic communities, including but not limited to: artistic discipline, gender, sexuality, age, religion, beliefs, nati

The information session for this program will be held online on January 16, 2025 from 12 – 1pm. The purpose of this session is to provide more context about the Centre City Banner program, and review application criteria and process. You can register for the info session here.

There is also an Open Hours session for this program on January 30, 2025 from 10am – 4pm. You can register here for a 30-minute session to meet with the Project Lead to ask questions about the program or your application.

Register for a Profile

• If you do not have a profile in our online platform, you must create one. You must be registered as an Artist or Artist Collective to apply.Upload your CV and complete your Artist Statement in your profile.
• Complete or update all your contact information.

Submission Requirements

Please note that the word count for the written portions of the application is a maximum, not a goal. Aim to clearly express your ideas instead of using up the word count.

• Letter of Interest
  • Explain your interest in this opportunity and your connection to Calgary/Mohkinsstsis.
  • Explain how your experience and art practice will contribute to this project and its objectives.
  • How will this opportunity support your practice?
• Curriculum Vitae
  • Upload a PDF file in your profile
  • Demonstration of relevant experience in public art, visual art or design, including experience providing digital artwork files.
• Portfolio
  • Upload a minimum of five (5) and up to ten (10) images of existing finished artworks uploaded as individual media files. Most media files are accepted up to a combined 2GB in size.
  • The following information must be included for each image: title, date, size, materials and a brief description.
  • Demonstration of an artistic practice that translates well to this medium.
  • Demonstration of artistic skills and approach needed to deliver a compelling design for this project.
• Artist Statement
  • Make sure the Artist Statement text box is completed in your Profile.
  • Describe your current artistic practice and the themes in your work.

Submitting Your Application

• Review your application. It is helpful to have someone not associated with the project read the application for clarity.
• Click the “Save & Validate” button at the bottom of the page. If there are any errors or missing information, you will be notified.
• Click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. You cannot make any changes after submitting your application.

The City of Calgary will continue to fund public art by setting aside one percent of eligible capital project budgets. This model remains responsive to upturns and downturns in the economy.

Both Calgary Arts Development and The City adhere to the Public Art Policy which directs how taxpayer dollars are used to commission new artworks, acquire existing artworks, deliver public art activities and events, provide access to the public art collection and maintain and conserve the collection.

Deadline Extension Policy
Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy
Disclosure of Grant Information Policy

Other

Group Agreements
Assessor Nomination Form
Investment Program FAQ
Public Art FAQ