Call to Artists

Artist Opportunity  

The City of Pickering invites local artists/teams to apply to submit digital based artwork for the Pride 2026 Vinyl Window Murals project. Selected works will be digitally reproduced as large scale temporary murals installed on the windows of the tower at City Hall (both front and back windows). The artwork will be printed on vinyl and installed by the City. Under the theme of “Pride Belongs Here” this temporary public art opportunity will aim to celebrate and affirm 2SLGBTQIA+ residents as valued members of our community. This theme invites artists to explore pride as an inclusive, civic, and transformative force—expressed through 2SLGBTQIA+ joy, care, resilience, and belonging in our city.

This activation will be displayed on the windows from June 1, 2026, to July 3, 2026. One artist/team will be commissioned by The City of Pickering to create the works. As per the City of Pickering Public Art Policy (CUL 130) an Artist is defined as the designer/creator of an artistic work and can include, but is not limited to, a professional artist, graphic designer, collaborative team, architect, or landscape designer.

A public art jury comprised of professional artists and community members of diverse backgrounds will be established for this single-stage competition.

The City of Pickering recognizes and values that diverse perspectives, skills, backgrounds, and lived experiences contribute to the growth and strength of our community. As such, we actively encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples and equity-deserving communities including women, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, and other diverse communities.

A public art jury comprised of practicing arts professionals, an Indigenous community member, and/or members of the project team, and Cultural Advisory Committee Members will be established for the evaluation of the proposals. One (1) will be awarded the commission.

The Jury will recommend artists/artistic teams for the award of the commission based on the following criteria:  1) Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence.  

2) Adhesion to stated themes and requirements; and,

3) Artists demonstrated ability and proposal feasibility to meet the artwork goals within the set timeline and budget. 

Complete your RFP submission by filling out the form here.  

Submissions should be emailed to etayles@pickering.ca no later than 4pm on March 9, 2026.

Artists are invited to respond to this RFP Call by submitting a single pdf document (max size 20 MB) including: 

 Artist Statement

Write your statement (400 words maximum) in first person referring to relevant information only. Write about the point of your practice, materials, approaches, themes or focus, the history related to your work/approach/medium, and contemporary discourse. Consider what makes your work different, exciting, or interesting. This will help tell the story of not only your work but you as an artist and professional.  

Project Statement

Describe your interest in this project specifically and share your experience in the field. You can submit a written document (500 words maximum) or record an audio or video message (MP3 or MP4 file, max 20 MB).

Concept Design

These are to be rough sketches of the designs you plan to submit should you be awarded the opportunity. 

Portfolio of Past Work

Examples of relevant work up to ten (10) projects. You may include individual images or multiple images of each project on one page of a larger document. Please note the document should be saved as a PDF and not exceed 20 MB. The maximum number of works in the portfolio is 10. The maximum number of pages in your PDF should equal 10. For each project, please be sure to include the title, year, medium, dimensions, scope, budget, and a brief description of the piece.

References

A list of at least two (2) professional references familiar with your work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail address, and telephone number for each reference. 

The City will provide accommodation throughout the selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify Ellen Tayles-Armstrong, Curator, Public Art at 905-409-0567 or etayles@pickering.ca with the nature of any accommodation(s) you may require in respect to any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

The City of Pickering, at its sole discretion, may request clarification or request additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The City retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive and if the prospective Artist or Artist Team is capable of performing the Work. The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The City reserves the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.

The City of Pickering shall have the exclusive right to issue all public announcements regarding the competition. Additional Information For any additional information or questions please contact Ellen Tayles-Armstrong, Curator, Public Art at 905-409-0567 or etayles@pickering.ca.