CALL TO ARTISTS
BIPOC Artist Billboard in Old Town/Downtown, Victoria BC
A project by the Victoria Arts Council supported by the City of Victoria’s Participatory Budgeting Initiative and facilitated through STEPS Public Art
Application Deadline: 01 September 2022
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Translations of this Call to Artists can be found here:
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
Operating from the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking people, The Victoria Arts Council (VAC) in conjunction with STEPS Public Art invites local artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Colour to submit a final design for a temporary two dimensional artwork to be digitally printed and installed on the exterior of the Victoria Art Council’s main gallery space located on the corner of Store and Herald in Victoria’s Old Town. With the support of the City of Victoria’s Participatory Budgeting Initiative, the Victoria Art Council strives to support vibrant public artwork that reflects the diversity of our community, and engage its residents and visitors. The successful artist will receive a one-time fee of $2,500 (inclusive of taxes). Printing and installation costs will be the responsibility of the Victoria Arts Council. There is no fee to apply. The selected artwork will be displayed on a prominent 10’x10’ billboard. The work will be on display until Spring 2025. The copyright will remain with the artist, though the printed billboard becomes property of the Victoria Arts Council.
ARTWORK LOCATION
As Old Town is a rapidly-developing neighbourhood, and earmarked as a future arts+tech hub, this BIPOC billboard will be an integral element reminding residents about the importance of civic-minded art and the City’s commitment to social justice. The site for the artwork is located on the exterior of VAC’s gallery in Old Town located on the corner of Store and Herald. The actual size of the printed work to be installed on the building is 10 feet by 10 feet.
SELECTION PROCESS
The process of who will be awarded this commission will be led by a selection panel of racialized artists/curators/community members/business leaders.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must be local Victoria-based artists who identify as BIPOC to qualify for this opportunity. Interested applicants must submit their artwork by September 01, 2022 at 11:59 PM PST. Submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted. Applications must be emailed to:
Collin Zipp, Public Art Manager
STEPS Public Art
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be local Victoria-based artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Colour [BIPOC] to qualify for this opportunity. Must be 19 years or older or have written parent/guardian consent.
DESIGN CRITERIA
The proposed artwork should address systemic barriers to inclusion in the visual arts and /or the lived experience of BIPOC artists in these territories. Proposals can be illustrated, painted, digital, photographic, collaged or any artwork that can be reproduced digitally for a two-dimensional support structure. We are looking for completed work, not a rough sketch. An Artist Statement must accompany the application.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Call to Artists: May 2022 – August 2022
Deadline for Submissions: September 01, 2022
Selected Artist Notified: October 2022
Artwork Installation: November/December 2022
Public Launch: December 2022
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
This proposal requires completed artwork in JPG format no larger than 10 MB file. Final artwork for the successful candidate will require enlarging and must be provided electronically to the Victoria Art Council as a 600dpi CMYK JPG or TIFF, once selected. The file will be enlarged to the final 10’ x 10 image. Artist to provide:
- Brief biography with self-identification, include artistic background or approach;
- Artistic CV or outline of related artistic experience;
- Artist statement (500 words or less);
- Finished visual proposal of artwork to scale, in JPG format no larger than 10 MB.
Contact STEPS’ Public Art Manager, Collin Zipp with any questions: collin@stepspublicart.org
ABOUT THE VICTORIA ARTS COUNCIL
Established in 1968, the Victoria Arts Council connects artists with audiences. A nonprofit charitable organization, the Victoria Arts Council works with hundreds of artists annually across multiple platforms, including ten community satellites, a professional gallery, a monthly lecture series, and a quarterly magazine. Vicartscouncil.ca
ABOUT STEPS PUBLIC ART
STEPS Public Art is a registered non-profit that fosters dynamic and inclusive communities through public art and creative placemaking. We transform urban spaces into vibrant places through cultural planning, community arts and artist capacity building programs. Stepspublicart.org
OPEN HOUSE “Demystifying Public Art” online information session Wednesday 15 June, 6PM
https://stepspublicart.zoom.us/j/86009108186?pwd=ZndCTnBCeEN3dk4wTVdiZzNjUEdUUT09
GENERAL INFORMATION
Public art is art in any media whose form, function and meaning are created for the general public through a public process. It is a specific art genre with its own professional and critical discourse. Victoria Art Council has the right to refuse or revise any and all designs. Artist agrees to have work photographed or videoed by Victoria Art Council staff. Artist agrees to make themselves available to local media. Artist will be recognized via an info placard with a QR code that will lead to their bio and the Artist’s Statement, which will be used in Victoria Art Council and STEPS’ newsletter, social media accounts and on the website.
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Translation services, provided by Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, supported by the Victoria Foundation’s Reconciliation, Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Fund.