Current Calls to Artists

NOW CLOSED - Traffic Signal Box Wrapping- Deadline July 8th 2021

The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to offer a public art opportunity for artists, artist-teams, or designers to create artwork that will be displayed on the exterior of City traffic signal boxes throughout Thunder Bay. Project funding is provided by the City of Thunder Bay and the Clean Green and Beautiful Committee.

Through the Call to Artists, up to 6 different designs by local artists will be selected and printed on graphic vinyl wraps which will contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape by beautifying our City infrastructure.

Applicants must live/work/attend school in the City of Thunder Bay. Applicants who currently reside outside of Thunder Bay, but who have lived in Thunder Bay for at least 10 years and/or artists who can demonstrate that Thunder Bay has played a direct role in their success are also eligible to apply. Emerging and more established artists are both welcome to apply.

Applications close on Thursday July 8th at noon. Submissions will be reviewed by a jury that includes members of the City of Thunder Bay Public Art Committee and representatives of the Recreation and Culture Division.

Downloadable PDF with full details and instructions: 

TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX- CALL TO ARTISTS

PLEASE READ THE CALL TO ARTISTS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR APPLICATION

APPLY HERE (APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED)

For more information please contact:

Cultural Development and Public Art Coordinator

culture@thunderbay.ca

1-(807)625-2357

How we acquire art

We engage artists and acquire works of art through a variety of established processes, including Calls to Artists, purchase of finished works, and donations by artists. In recent years, we have broadened the collection to include contemporary works by Canadian artists that reflect the growth, change and sense of renewal in our city. The City is proud to support these projects and to offer opportunities to the local art community. 

Artwork purchase

There are occasions when a City Department, Commission or Board under the mandate of City Council desires to purchase a finished work of art from an individual artist, a corporation, an organization or through a commercial gallery. The artwork may be purchased to develop the City's permanent art collection or to beautify a specific civic space. As with commissioned works, all purchases of finished art works are subject to the City's Policy for Art in Public Spaces and collection mandate. Any opportunities for artists to submit portfolios for jury consideration will be listed in the Open Competitions section of this page.

A sub-committee of the Public Art Committee is formed to consider each potential purchase. Recommendations may be based on advice from outside individuals or organizations relevant for the art being considered. For example: A curator or director from a local art gallery or heritage organization; a representative of the site for the artwork; a professional in a relevant discipline.

Donating an artwork

If you would like to donate an artwork to the City's Public Art Collection please fill out the Artwork Donation Form and submit it to culture@thunderbay.ca

Partnerships

The City of Thunder Bay also forms partnerships with local individual artists and organizations to produce and/or purchase public art projects. For more information contact culture@thunderbay.ca

Artist guidebook

Public art can significantly change an artist's career. The Artist Guidebook was created as a resource for emerging and experienced public artists, and outlines the City's competition and commissioning process from start to finish. It includes perspectives from local artists and covers a variety of topics such as:

• How to find competitions
• How the City acquires public art
• How to provide a submission
• The artist contract
• Insurance, contractor safety, and WSIB
• Working with subcontractors