Call to Artists

This page provides information on current public art opportunities issued by the City. When available, calls to artists will be listed below. If no opportunities are currently posted, please check back soon for future callouts.

Call to Artists – Expression of Interest (EOI)
Community Banner Series

Deadline: May 29, 2026, at 4 pm

Community Banner Image

The City of Pickering invites artists to respond to the Call for Artists to create a series of seven (7) street  banners digitally, to be fabricated and installed by the City onto seven (7) City street light poles. This call is open to individual artists (emerging to established), artist teams or collectives.

As per the 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.

The Community Banner Series call for expression of interest (EOI) seeks artists to propose street banner designs that will animate and transform the street scape into welcoming and engaging spaces. Artwork is to be created digitally and will be recreated onto vinyl street banners. The artwork will be located within the City of Pickering.


The fabrication of the vinyl banners required for the project, and installation will be the responsibility of the City of Pickering. The City will also be responsible for site prep and permits. The costs of all other materials required will be the artists’ responsibility. Designs, artwork, and plans are subject to final approval by the City as per the Community Banner Policy (CUL 140).

Project Brief

Each year, these banners have contributed to colorful, vibrant, and City proud civic spaces in the City Centre. Banner artwork is intended but not limited to; engage Pickering’s diverse local communities, celebrate the city’s natural, social and built environment, be aesthetically pleasing, bring colour, beauty, pride and enjoyment to city streets and gateways, welcome visitors, and/or encourage community engagement.


Banners will be installed in series on city light poles at various locations including Kingston Road, Valley Farm Road, Glenanna Road and Pickering Parkway. Light poles have single-armed hardware. Artists should be aware that the artwork may be subject to damage by the elements. Banners will be on display for approximately two (2) years. The Community Banner Series schedule, duration and location of the banner series installation is subject to change at the discretion of the City of Pickering.


In recognition of the environmental effects of excessive plastic production, this project will include an opportunity to repurpose, refurbish and reuse retired banners for future displays, promotions, or re-created into new temporary public art piece, or re-usable options.

Stage 1: Short-listed artists will be paid a fee of $1,500.00 (+HST) for their submission of the conceptual design proposal. Short-listed artists will be provided a Terms of Reference with additional information about the project and may be required to attend a virtual public consultation and present their proposals.

Stage 2: The budget for the final selected artists designs for the creation of seven banners, including artist fees is $2,750 (+HST). A total of three artists banner series will be selected from the short-listed artists for Stage 2.

Community Services Staff and the Public Art Jury will review EOI submissions and identify a short-list
(Stage 1) based on artistic excellence and demonstrated or perceived ability to create and execute an innovative, engaging public artwork banner that is complementary to the overall design scheme and community context.

Decisions of the Public Art Jury are reviewed by the Cultural Advisory Committee and are final, pending approval of the Director, Community Services as per the Community Banner Policy CUL 140.

It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general timeline dates, as stated below:

 

Date* Project Phase
April 24, 2026 Issue Call to Artists: EOI
May 29, 2026 Call to Artists: EOI Submissions Due
Week of June 8, 2026 Stage 1: Shortlisted Artists Notified
Week of August 10, 2026 Shortlisted Artists Conceptual Design Deadline
Week of September 14, 2026 Stage 2: Final Selection Artists Notified
Week of October 5, 2026 Selected Artists Final Design Deadline
November/December 2026 Banner Fabrication and Installation

 *Schedule is subject to change

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

  • Artist statement: describe your interest in this project and share your experience in the field. You can submit a written document (1-page max).
  • CV/Portfolio of past work: Examples of relevant work. You may include multiple images per project on 1 page of a maximum to 10 projects (10-pages). Add tittle, year, scope, budget and a short description.
  • References: A list of at least two professional references familiar with your work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Submissions must be sent to jstamant@pickering.ca  with subject line: <YourLastName>_EOI:CommunityBanner2026
Deadline: May 29, 2026 at 4:00 pm EST.

If the submissions exceed 20 MB, artists should contact Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services who will provide a link to an external file share program. Incomplete submissions or submissions received after the deadline will not be juried.

Accessibility

The City will provide accommodation throughout the selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services at 905.420.4660 ext.3607 or jstamant@pickering.ca of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

Reserved Rights of the City of Pickering

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 it sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The City reserve the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.

Publication of Information

The City of Pickering shall have the exclusive right to issue all public announcements regarding the competition. For any additional information or questions please contact Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services at 905.420.4660 ext. 3607 or email jstamant@pickering.ca

Call To Artists Community Banner Series

Call to Artists – Placemaking Opportunity - Expression of Interest (EOI) Digital Artwork Display

Deadline: May 29, 2026, at 4 pm

Digital Artwork Display

The City of Pickering invites artists or artist teams to apply to provide a digital art display at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC), utilizing one or a combination of the following themes:

  • Welcoming, Safe and Healthy Communities
  • Connection and Innovation
  • Environmental Stewardship and Resiliency
  • Sport and Recreation

This temporary placemaking opportunity will aim to create a sense of joy and excitement for residents and visitors to the CHDRC. This activation will be displayed utilizing digital art re-produced, printed and mounted into preexisting frames. One artist/team will be selected by the City of Pickering to create the digital artwork which will then be submitted for production and installation by the City. Pre-existing digital work that meets the criteria of this opportunity will be considered.

As per the City of Pickering Public Art Policy (CUL 130) an artist is defined as the designer/creator of an artistic work and may include, but is not limited to, a professional artist, graphic designer, collaborative team, architect, or landscape designer. A Placemaking Selection Committee comprised of City staff will be established for this single-stage competition.

Project Brief

These digital art placemaking pieces are intended to be created by a digital artist(s). The City of Pickering will commission one artist/teams for the creation of 12-15 digital works. The size and exact number of display frames used will be determined between the City and the selected artist/teams. The created work will create a sense of joy and excitement for residents and visitors. Original and/or pre-exciting work will be considered.

The City will coordinate production and installation of the 12-15 digital prints, utilizing their current inventory of display frames for the commission. The final designs provided by the selected artists will need to work with in these dimensions. Frames can be mounted vertically or horizontally to accommodate designs. The current inventory of display frames includes: Nine (9) 40” x 27”, Eight (8) 36” x 24”, Four (4) 20” x 16”.

The display rail system in place is divided into three sections along two adjacent walls for a total of 60 feet of rail.

$2,000.00 CAD including HST (maximum).* This is the total amount available for the commission of these placemaking digital artworks. All related expenses of this project including, but not limited to: artist fees, all applicable taxes, detailed renderings, equipment, travel to meetings and to the site, and an artist statement for completed work. After the final design is submitted, one round of revisions is included. The City of Pickering will have reproduction rights to the selected submissions for a period of two years.

*Subject to change based on final confirmation of number of digital works.

A selection committee comprised of city staff will be established for the evaluation of the placemaking proposals. This is a one stage competition. One artist/team will be awarded the commission.

The selection committee will recommend artists or artistic team for the award of the available commission based on the following criteria:

  1. Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence.
  2. Adhesion to location and expressed desire in this project; and,
  3. Artist’s demonstrated ability and proposal feasibility to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.
    The City of Pickering reserves the right to select and retain the artist deemed most appropriate for the project at its sole discretion.

It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general timeline dates, as stated below:

Date* Project Phase
April 24, 2026 Issue Call to Artists: EOI
May 29, 2026 Call to Artists: EOI Submissions Due
Week of June 8, 2026 Selected Artists Notified & Final Design Production Begins
Week of July 10, 2026 Artists Design Submission Deadline
Week of July 17, 2026 Review and Revisions (if applicable)
Week of July 24, 2026 Digital Artwork Production – City
August to October 2026** Planned Digital Artwork Installed – City

 *Schedule is subject to change

**Digital Artwork may be re-installed in 2027 should an opening in the display schedule become available.

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

  • Artist statement: describe your interest in this project and share your experience in the field. You can submit a written document (1-page max).
  • Concepts, or images of pre-existing work that fit this placemaking opportunity and project brief above.
  • CV/Portfolio of past work including examples of relevant work. You may include multiple images, with a maximum to 15 (10-pages). Add tittle, year, scope, budget and a short description.
  • References: A list of at least two professional references familiar with your work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Submissions must be sent to jstamant@pickering.ca  with subject line: Digital Artwork Display - (Artist Preferred Name) Deadline: May 29, 2026, at 4 pm EST.

Accessibility

The City will provide accommodation throughout the selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services at 905.420.4660 ext.3607 or jstamant@pickering.ca  of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

Reserved Rights of the City of Pickering

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 can perform 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 rights to issue all public announcements regarding the competition.

Additional Information

For any additional information or questions please contact Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services at 905.420.4660 ext. 3607 or email jstamant@pickering.ca

Call To Artists Placemaking Digital Artwork Display

Contact Us

Community Services
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1V 6K7

905.420.4620

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