Call for Artists, 2023 Community Art Program
Submission Deadline: 4:00 p.m. on June 22
The District of Central Saanich is seeking an artist, or artists, to create a mural in Brentwood Bay/ W̱JOȽEȽP this summer on a blank wall at the Cultural Centre!
The centre is home to the library, senior centre, police community office, after-school care program and Panorama recreation classes. As such, the theme is about celebrating community connections and highlighting diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
The purpose of the Community Art Program is to make art publicly accessible and enhance the enjoyment of public spaces, share local culture and contribute to community pride.
Installation: The wall is textured stucco and will be installation-ready. This may include power washing, any necessary repairs and a fresh coat of base paint. (Following mural installation, the District may coat the mural with an anti-graffiti coating.)
Location: Central Saanich Cultural Centre, 1209 Clarke Rd
- Size: 36 ft wide and 13.5 ft tall
- Surface: Concrete block
- Budget: Up to $10,000
- The site is near running water and washrooms in the Cultural Centre
- Storage is available in the Centre
- Waste materials should be removed by the artists at the end of each day as there is insufficient waste disposal on site
Artist Eligibility
This opportunity is open to mural artists from the Saanich Peninsula with priority given to artists that reside in Central Saanich or the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) or SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) Nation. If you are applying as an artist team, at least one of the artists must be from the peninsula.
The District of Central Saanich recognizes and values diversity and inclusion. We encourage a diversity of applicants of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, racialized identities and/or other lived experiences that reflect the diversity of Central Saanich. The District is located on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples and is committed to supporting the revitalization of the culture of the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) and, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) Nations.
Timeline
(dates subject to change by the District of Central Saanich)
May 19, 2023 | Call to Artists launched |
June 22, 2023 | Submission deadline |
June 30, 2023 | Artist announced |
August-September 2023 | Mural installation |
Design Criteria
- Design must be appropriate for public display for all ages and respectful of diverse cultures and beliefs
- Murals will not include commercial advertisements, inappropriate or controversial subject matter, or racist, violent, hateful or sexual content (wording or images)
- Murals may not include artist websites, tags, logos, descriptions. A small area in the mural’s bottom portion/corner may include the artist’s signature
- The artwork’s scale and readability of design and appropriateness for the site
- Murals should consider the area/neighbourhood’s character, environment, culture and histor
- Artwork must be original
Other Requirements
If an artist is commissioned to create a mural, the artist must be prepared to meet the following requirements, which will be further outlined in an Artist Agreement:
- Insurance: the artist must carry commercial general liability insurance of $2,000,000 for the duration of the contract period. The cost of obtaining insurance can be included in the estimated budget portion of the application.
- WorkSafeBC Coverage: the artist must hold either WorkSafeBC coverage or Personal Option Protection. The cost of carrying such coverage can be included in the estimated budget portion of the application.
- Business License: the artist must obtain a business license from the District (or show proof of a valid inter-municipal license) prior to commencing any work. The cost of obtaining the business license can be included in the estimated budget portion of the application.
- Single/Prime Contractor: The artist must be prepared to act as single/prime contractor during the installation of the mural.
- Copyright: The artist must be prepared to grant a license to the District to copy, publish, and use images and videos of the mural for District-related purposes.
Selection Process
The District aims to ensure a fair and competitive artist selection process. A Selection Committee will assess the work. The District is not obliged to select any of the submissions, and reserves the right to reissue a call for submissions.
Submissions are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Mural experience – Artist has demonstrated mural experience and ability to produce mural projects
- Artistic merit – Strength and creative vision of past work
- Feasibility of project timeline and budget
- Connection and relevance – Through past work and in their project proposal, artist demonstrates their ability to produce murals that connect and reflect community – its people and places – and enrich and enhance public spaces. Artist is from Saanich Peninsula or W̱SÁNEĆ territory and, if a group, at least one artist is from the Peninsula or W̱SÁNEĆ.
- Capacity to work with District staff and contractors, if required
Confidentiality: Materials submitted for consideration will be treated as confidential. Ideas presented are understood to be the intellectual property of the applicant and the information contained therein will not be reproduced or adapted for any purpose, except to the extent necessary to communicate information to Staff and the Selection Committee for the purpose of evaluation and analysis.
For questions, please contact: Britt Burnham, Manager, Community Engagement 250-544-4240, Britt.Burnham@csaanich.ca