Platforms 2020

Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic leading to closures of cultural institutions and cancellations of arts programming, artists continue to create work that resonates with people, and public art remains accessible and feasible during this uncertain time.

The City of Vancouver Public Arts Program is commissioning up to 20 new public artworks that have not been exhibited before and that respond to the current circumstances. Selected artworks will be presented as temporary projects on existing platforms throughout the city that the public can access under physical distancing measures.

Eligibility

Vancouver-based artists and artists from the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh) First Nations are invited to submit their art projects that respond to the complexities of the pandemic.

For the purposes of this call, the definition of an artist is a regular practitioner who:

  • has completed basic academic training in art or an apprenticeship with an accomplished practitioner in the field, or
  • maintains an artistic practice and has publicly shared an independent body of their work for at least two years, or
  • is recognized as an artist by peers within their community

The City is particularly interested in working with artists who have not previously received a public art commission, and from artists whose communities have historically been and are presently underrepresented in the public realm.

Closing Date

July 7 at 4pm.

Artwork details

  • Two-dimensional art
  • can include works made during the current lockdown, or pieces made prior to COVID-19 that are all the more relevant and necessary today
  • Artist fee of $2000 in two separate installments for commissioned works,
  • Artist will need to provide a digital file of their work.
  • All print and installation costs associated with the work will be covered by the City.

How to apply

  1. Read the full specifications PDF file(234 KB)
  2. Prepare your submission. The following materials must be provided as a single pdf no larger than 10 MB:
    • Brief summary of your proposed work (250 word maximum)
    • 1 image or 1 video of proposed work
    • Up to 3 images which can include a maximum of 1 video of previous work
    • Image list
    • Resume
  3. Submit proposals to [email protected] by Tuesday, July 7, 4pm. Only one submission will be accepted per artist.