Public Art Opportunity for Artists (Toronto, Canada)
Deadline: June 16, 2012
Public Art Opportunity for Artists (Toronto, Canada)
Southcore Financial Centre Call for Credentials
Public Art Management (PAM) is the public art project manager for a major downtown Toronto development project (the “Project”). As the first stage of the public art planning process, PAM is issuing this Call To Artists (“Call”) to initiate the first of a two-stage selection process to identify artists to work with the team in the development of outstanding public art works for this landmark complex in the Southcore Financial Centre.
The artwork program intends to commission distinctive, urban scale, meritorious works by exemplary Canadian and international artists for select locations within the Project. The artworks will reflect the best of contemporary art practice with an emphasis on seeking artists working in integrated new media and interactive works. The types of opportunities may include:
- A continuous, multi component interior work for an extensive public passage through the facility, which may or may not extend to the exterior of the project
- Work that engages the interior and exterior of the building creating a dialogue between inside and outside (may included suspended elements or projections and programmed elements in specific areas)
- A large free-standing wall element which stands in close proximity to the facade of the building in the driveway/roundabout, and can be read from both the interior and exterior. this may include a lighting element either from outside or within
- Glazing and/or lighting elements for a tentatively-proposed bridge
Professional artists are invited to submit their credentials for consideration by PAM. Artists who are experienced in creating large, permanent, urban scale works for interior and exterior locations and artists who have worked in collaborative projects are invited to enter.
In Stage 1, PAM is seeking artists to submit images and resumes only.
Artists may advance in the program based on a professional review of their qualifications, profile and past work. Future commissions will be awarded following a second stage, whereby artists are interviewed and concepts may be submitted.
Development Background and Description
GWL Realty Advisors on behalf of bcIMC Realty Corporation is developing 120 Bremner Blvd. and 75 Lower Simcoe Street, a landmark office tower and hotel/convention complex west of the recently completed 18 York development in the Southcore Financial Centre of the City of Toronto. The office tower (designed by KPMB Architects) resides on Bremner Blvd. with the hotel complex (designed by Page + Steele/IBI Group Architects) situated to the west, fronting on Simcoe Street. The complex will total 700,000 square feet of office space, 450,000 square feet of hotel/convention facilities and additional ancillary retail space.
The site is located directly south of the railway corridor and is at the centre of Toronto’s Southcore Financial Centre. It is west of the Air Canada Centre and east of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It is bordered by the commercial development of 18 York Street on the east, Bremner Blvd on the south and the railway corridor and overpass on the north. Simcoe St forms the western boundary. To the southwest of the development is the Roundhouse, home to the Steam Whistle Brewery as well as the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre. Also in the neighbourhood are the Rogers Centre, home to the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts, the CN Tower, the Telus Building, Maple Leaf Square, the soon-to-be-constructed ICE Condominiums at York Centre and new Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, in addition to numerous restaurants, pubs, tourist attractions, and shops.
In 2011, GWL Realty Advisors on behalf of bcIMC Realty Corporation completed construction of 18 York, a significant 27 storey office tower anchoring the west side of York Street and featuring a public art commission by James Carpenter (http://vimeo.com/37150715). The work was integrated into the pedestrian bridge spanning York Street, extending the PATH system (http://www.toronto.ca/path/) and creating an impressive gateway into the City of Toronto.
Construction is underway with the hotel/convention complex scheduled for completion at the end of 2014 and the office tower expected to be complete in mid 2014.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, applicants must be professional artists; that is, artists who are recognized as such by their peers, who have specialized training in the field, and who have a history of public exhibition (exhibitions in museums and public galleries). Existing works offered for sale are not being sought.
Selection Process
A two-stage selection process for the commissioning of public art has been devised to ensure:
- A professional and arm’s-length evaluation process;
- The aesthetic quality of the art;
- That the final commissions can be implemented within the Project’s art budget.
Evaluation Criteria
Each candidate will be evaluated on the basis of the following:
- Aesthetic evaluation: original thinker-strong, innovative and original work
- A demonstrated strong sense of scale exhibited through past work
- Strong history of public exhibition in senior public institutions or in innovative artist-run spaces; installation projects
- Confirmation of ability to work within a team environment, with a generosity of spirit and patience
- Proven track record and ability to complete projects on time and within budgets (either public art commissions or museum and gallery projects).
Professional standing by peer or art expert reference will be a major consideration.
We may also take into consideration information in the public domain about any artists’ history and work.
Stage 1: Call to Artists & Assessment
Stage 1 is an open call to artists who must submit a signed Agreement to Propose & Consent Form and the materials as described in the Call to Artists Entry Requirements. Each entry will be reviewed. An assessment will be made of each candidate against the eligibility criteria.
The decisions of the future jury for Project will incorporate professional advice on aesthetic issues as well as practical considerations concerning construction, facility operations and future maintenance.
Call To Artists Entry Requirements
All responding artists must submit the following:
- Signed Agreement to Propose & Consent Form. Submissions that do not include a signed Agreement to Propose will be disqualified. Emailed submissions must include a PDF of the Signed agreement to Propose and Consent.
- Image Submission: One consolidated PDF containing a one page CV and digital images of past work. Each image must clearly identify the title of the artwork, location, media, size and other relevant information. In the case of commissioned works, please provide a note with the name of the commissioning body if possible. Please submit no more than six (6) images or video clips illustrating work completed within the last 15 years.
- Your name, address, daytime telephone and fax number, evening telephone number (including area codes), email address and (if you have one) your website address.
- Submissions must be received not later than Wednesday, June 16, 2012. Artists are solely responsible for the timely receipt of their submissions.
- It is expected that artist selection will be complete by fall 2012. The selection process and contracting of the art commissions will be conducted in accordance with the development schedule for the Project. Only Finalists will be provided site information.
- Submissions may be sent either in hard copy by mail or by email/file transfer service (such as: WeTransfer https://www.wetransfer.com/). Mailed copies may be sent to the following: Call for Artists: Southcore Financial Centre Public Art, Public Art Management, 381 Front Street West Suite 3208, Toronto, ON M5V 3R8. Digital Submission: by email or file transfer system to: [email protected]. On the Subject line clearly mark: 'Southcore Financial Centre Public Art'.
Should you have any questions concerning this process or the submission requirements, please send written question to Ben Mills at:
[email protected].
A word of advice: please re-read the above and respond as requested.
Incomplete submissions will be subject to disqualification. All submission materials will be retained by PAM. Do NOT send concepts or offer existing works for sale.
Artists are responsible for the timely submission of their entries. PAM thanks all respondents for their submissions but regret that only advancing Stage 2 proponents will be contacted. Submissions will not be returned. Beyond formal notification to Finalists, PAM will not enter into any correspondence regarding their decision.
AGREEMENT TO PROPOSE & CONSENT FORM
Submissions that do NOT include a completed Agreement to Propose & Consent Form will be disqualified.
Terms and Conditions
Each artist, or if the artist is forming a team, each artist team member, must complete this form and return it to PAM along with their submission.
I, the undersigned artist, hereby declare that I have read the SFC Call for Credentials and that I am submitting my credentials for review. Should the submission of these credentials not result in advancement to future stages of the selection process for the public art, I shall not hold any agent or employee of Public Art Management personally liable.
I stipulate and agree that under no circumstances may I or my representatives or others acting for me, lobby members of Public Art Management or engage others to lobby on my behalf for advancement in the selection or for a commission.
I understand that all decisions made by Public Art Management are final.
I understand that failure to follow these terms and conditions will result in disqualification.
AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE
I have read the Call to Artists for Public Art Management and agree to participate according to the terms and conditions set out therein.
Signed Dated
Name
All artists or artist team members to sign
Name of Artist:
Address:
Telephone (Day):
(Evening):
Fax: Email: