Calls and Opportunities: Public Art Program

The City of Ottawa Public Art Program collects, commissions and exhibits artwork to create conversations and make art accessible to everyone. Art is integrated into our daily lives through the City of Ottawa Art Collection,  public art commissions, and exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Corridor 45|75.

One of the first of its kind in Canada, the Public Art Program has been committed to promoting and increasing awareness and appreciation of the visual arts since 1985. The Program enhances Ottawa's cultural identity by incorporating contemporary art by professional artists into city planning and development, fostering a sense of place and of who we are.

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For inquiries or assistance, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca or call 613-244-6852.

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By signing up for our newsletter, you will receive calls and announcements regarding the City of Ottawa Art Collection, public art commissions, and exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Corridor 45|75 all in one place. 

Expression of Interest for an Indigenous public art facilitator

The City of Ottawa’s Public Art Program invites Indigenous public art facilitators to submit their expression of interest to a public art project for Lansdowne 2.0 development.

Expression of Interest submission deadline: Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00 pm (EST)

Acknowledgement – Honouring the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

Ottawa is built on unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation. The people of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa would like to honour the people and land of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation. The City of Ottawa would also like to honour all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, their elders, their knowledge keepers, both young and old, their ancestors and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

Background

Lansdowne has always been a place of history and civic pride. For 175 years, it has been a gathering place for neighbours, residents of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, and for tourists from across Canada and around the world. It is a place of connection and celebration for sports, cultural and community events and now welcomes over 4 million people annually.  

In 2012, City Council entered into a 30-year partnership (now a 40-year partnership) with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) for the renewal and revitalization of Lansdowne with a new South Stadium Stands, new mixed-use retail and reimagined public realm spaces and subterranean parking.

Commencing in 2020 City staff started considering options for addressing the 50+ year old arena and north stadium stands complex at Lansdowne (formerly known as the Civic Centre) that was becoming functionally obsolete.

In May 2022 Council approved a new Lansdowne concept plan, in principle, that included a new multi-use Event Centre (including a 5,500 seat arena), north-stadium stands including 11,200 seats, a retail podium and new housing units.

A new 5,500-seat Event Centre that will be the home of the Ottawa 67’s and Ottawa BlackJacks and capable of hosting world-class arts and entertainment concerts and events. The Event Centre is designed to be a standalone facility that will join the new North Stadium Stands to the existing South Standing Stands in the east stadium endzone. The Event Centre will include a “live” green roof that aesthetically forms part of the berm that will tie the Event Centre in with the greenspace of the Great Lawn.

The Lansdowne Guiding Principles which were jointly developed by the National Capital Commission, Parks Canada, the City of Ottawa and OSEG, and informed by community consultation, provide a framework for the proposal development for the next iteration of the site:

• City and Capital Context which embraces, celebrates and enhances Lansdowne’s history, and creates an urban lifestyle district and ‘Landmark’ which capitalizes on the location by the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rideau Canal and gateway to the Glebe and Old Ottawa South
• The Overall Site providing a year-round canvas for events, festivals and leisure activities integrating the use of the built environment in addition to public spaces and local transportation
• Sustainability through being a shining example of sustainable design and operational practices
• The Site Components ensuring that public spaces support year-round programming such as the Farmers’ Market, proximity to Rideau Canal and Queen Elizabeth Driveway and the historic design of the existing Aberdeen Pavilion
• Programming opportunities on a variety of scales, which ensure that the site is unique and considers the needs of all audiences including residents and tourists alike.

Indigenous public art facilitator opportunity

Indigenous public art facilitators are invited to submit an Expression of Interest for an opportunity to lead a significant public art commission project for Lansdowne 2.0 in Ottawa. The Indigenous public art facilitator should be from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation or at least one member if applying as a team, and the facilitator(s) would connect with their networks in the Host Nation visual arts community to identify potential artists who could develop proposals for one or more public art commission opportunities at Lansdowne 2.0. The Indigenous public art facilitator(s) would support artists in preparing their proposals, lead the procurement process for Host Nation artists for each opportunity in liaison with the Public Art Program, offer mentorship/support to artists as artwork designs progress through fabrication and installation stages.

The Indigenous public art facilitator(s) should have a strong conceptual ability and be well versed in local Indigenous art practices and cultural protocols in order to select a collection of artwork proposals which form a cohesive visual narrative for the Lansdowne 2.0 development. The commissioned Indigenous art in and around the facility will create a welcoming and inclusive space that will represent strong and forward-thinking artists. The selection of Indigenous public art designs will be an inclusive and balanced representation of Host Nation communities.

Several spaces have been identified for public art on the exterior of the Events Centre and further information on these can be found in Appendix A. These opportunities would suit Host Nation artists who have experience in 2D art mediums in addition to those who may not have had prior public art experience. These opportunities have been developed in direct response to discussions between the City of Ottawa Public Art Program and Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Cultural Centres.

Eligibility

This expression of interest is open to Indigenous public art facilitators who reside in Canada. City of Ottawa employees are not eligible to apply. The Indigenous public art facilitator should be from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation or if applying as a team, at least one member should be from the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation.

Public Art budget and timeframe

$175,000 facilitation fee for the duration of the project (2025 – 2027) to deliver the scope of the work outlined in the Indigenous public art facilitator opportunity above.

The artwork designs and specifications for the identified opportunities should be complete and finalized by March 17, 2025 at the latest. Support with the implementation of the designs into the facility will follow and a timeline will be determined in line with the construction schedule.

Selection process and schedule

The submissions will be reviewed by a Peer Assessment Committee which will include Indigenous community representation, and the selection will follow a one-stage process:

Stage 1: Expression of interest (submission deadline Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00 pm (EST)
Submissions will be evaluated by a Peer Assessment Committee consisting of artists with public art experience, Algonquin community representatives and representatives from the Lansdowne 2.0 project. This Committee will review and evaluate submissions and will select a successful facilitator/facilitator team.

How to apply

Your Expression of Interest submission should include:

• Artist statement: outline your creative practice, thematic trends and your creative approach to creative arts facilitation

• Expression of interest:

  • What aspect of this opportunity inspires you?
  • What connects you and/or your work to this project?
  • What perspective/approach will you bring to the facilitator role of this project?
  • How do you propose to engage with the Host Nation visual arts community?
  • How will this project complement your creative practice?
  • Describe your availability to be present in the Indigenous arts community in and around Ottawa.
  • If applying as a team, describe your past collaborations and how you plan to work together on this project.
     
• Current CV/resume: a current resume highlighting relevant experience on project similar to, or directly related to this opportunity
   
• Images of your work (if applicable): maximum of 5 images of previous artwork

Please email your submission documents to publicartprogram@ottawa.ca by Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00 pm (EST)

If you have any questions about the process or submission requirements, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca

Appendix A

The spaces identified for public art commissions in the new Events Centre facility at Lansdowne 2.0 include:

1. Design on a rooftop metal screen
This is designed to be a vertically mounted metal screen to hide mechanical components on the roof. The screen will have a perforated design treatment, and artists can propose a design which determines the layout and size of the perforations. There may also be the opportunity to determine the outline shape of the screen.

2. Exterior glazing designs
There are two opportunities for exterior glazing, which include:

• Larger artwork design
  This is an opportunity for a larger artwork design across exterior glazing surfaces of the Events Centre.

• Smaller artwork design
  This small design graphic will be applied as a repeated pattern across the exterior glazing to comply with the best practices advised by Safe Wings Ottawa to deter birds from flying into the glass windows and doors. This could be a standalone design or could be a small component of the larger artwork design for the glazing, providing a visual connection between the two artworks.

3. Canopy
This is an opportunity to design an artwork to be installed on the underside of an exterior canopy outside the main entrance to the Events Centre. The canopy protrudes approximately 10ft from the building, and presents an opportunity for artists to propose a design which connects and/or extends artwork designs proposed for the exterior glazing.

This competition is now closed.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

About Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery

Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery are located on the main level at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West. Both galleries are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (excluding holidays) and are wheelchair accessible. Admission is free. (Hours of operation are subject to change due to facility operations.)

Exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery feature the work of professional artists working in all media and include solo, group and curated exhibitions, exhibitions from the diplomatic sector, and circulating exhibitions from other institutions. Both galleries present a combined total of approximately 8 exhibitions annually, each of which lasts approximately eight weeks. Annual programming consists of artist talks and tours and an exhibition featuring the City of Ottawa Art Collection. An exhibition related to the Karsh Award is presented every two years at Karsh-Masson Gallery and the next one will occur in 2024. Although City Hall has 24/7 security, gallery staff are not onsite daily therefore exhibitions must be self-sufficient and cannot require regular maintenance.

A public gallery is a forum for the exploration of diverse ideas. The City of Ottawa exhibits artwork in all media that are of interest and importance to the community, that foster a sense of who we are, and that reflect current artistic practices. These exhibitions are presented in the public domain allowing for an appreciation, understanding and interpretation of our past and present through gallery programming.

The City of Ottawa encourages applications from individuals with lived experience and identity as a member of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and other equity-deserving groups. The City of Ottawa recognizes the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation as Ottawa’s Indigenous Host Nation. The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting cultural activities that respond to the Calls to Action put forward in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Applications from Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and curators are welcome and encouraged. The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

Floor plans

• Karsh-Masson Gallery [ PDF - 987 KB ]
• City Hall Art Gallery [ PDF - 835 KB ]

Eligibility

• This call for proposals is open to professional artists and curators working in all media. A professional artist is someone who has specialized training in his or her artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions), who is recognized by his or her peers as such, is committed to his or her artistic activity, and has a history of public presentation.
• National and international applicants are eligible, however priority is given to applicants who live, or have lived, within a 150 km radius of Ottawa or who have a local connection, such as participating in the local arts community. Successful applicants will be responsible for all costs related to shipping artwork to and from the gallery, travel and accommodation.
• Applicants who have exhibited at Corridor 45|75, Karsh-Masson Gallery or City Hall Art Gallery within the last four consecutive years are not eligible to apply.

Only one proposal per applicant will be considered and the first application received by the Public Art Program will be the one that is considered. City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives are not eligible to apply.

Artworks with electrical components:

• Artworks that require electricity must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency prior to being installed at Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery. The object(s) must have an official certification mark or label indicating that the product has been independently assessed for safety.  A list of recognized certification marks and labels is available.
• For more information, visit the Electrical Safety Authority or call 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233).
• Any costs associated with meeting the certification requirement are the sole responsibility of the artist.
• Applicants must provide documentation that their artwork(s) meets ESA standards (i.e. certification mark) in their proposal.

Honorarium

• Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee.
• The exhibition fee and the curatorial fee include all professional services related to the preparation, installation, consultation, writing tasks, and production of artwork(s) associated with the exhibition.
• Each exhibition is allotted one presentation fee for an optional talk or tour in accordance with the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 4 (C.2.0 – Presentation and Consultation fees, Flat rate per half day, under 4 hours).
• The City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems and the transportation of artwork(s).
• Complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment, regular monitoring or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist.

Assessment criteria and process

All eligible applications are reviewed by a peer assessment committee based on the following criteria:

• Artistic merit, originality and professionalism
• Cohesiveness of the artwork examples and the written proposal statement
• Appropriateness and suitability of the proposal to the highly public nature of the gallery spaces
• Technical and physical feasibility

Peer assessment committee members first review eligible applications individually then meet to review them together. The composition of each committee aims to balance representation of artistic specialization, practice, style, and philosophy, as well as fair representation of official languages, gender, geographic areas and culture-specific communities. Peer assessment committee members are chosen based on their knowledge and experience, fair and objective opinions, ability to articulate ideas, and ability to work in a team environment. Members of the committee change with every competition. City employees are responsible for the selection of peer assessment committee members. If you are interested in participating as a peer assessment committee member, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca. 

Support material

Read through the Call for proposals completely before beginning your online application and make sure you have all the required information ready.

• A complete application must include the support material listed below
• Support material may be written in English or French
• Files must be saved in a format compatible with Windows 10
• To format a PDF document, utilize “Save as” or “Export” from a Word or similar text-based document

Save items 2, 3 and 4 as one PDF.

1. Proposal synopsis (80 words maximum)

Summarize the proposal statement. The peer assessment committee will refer to the synopsis as a quick reference during deliberations.

2. Proposal statement (two pages or 1,000 words maximum)

• Describe the proposed exhibition’s content and theme, and how you will situate your artwork within the gallery space. A clear understanding of both spaces is necessary for the committee to visualize your exhibition (see gallery floor plans for reference).
• Two-person and group exhibitions must clearly outline a cohesive theme and rationale.
• Applications will be considered for both galleries. Requests to exhibit at either gallery must be explained in the proposal statement, however not all requests are granted.
• Due to the highly public nature of the galleries, proposed exhibitions must be as self-sufficient as possible.  
• Outline any technical or electronic specifications of the exhibition.

3. Artistic resumé (three pages or 1,500 words maximum per artist)

If multiple artists are involved, include each artist’s resumé.

4. Image/media list (two pages maximum)

List the following information about each image/media file included in your application: artist’s name, artwork title, date, material and support, dimensions, and duration of artwork (if applicable). This list may also include additional information or a description about the individual artworks.

5. Digital image files and time-based media files

Upload ten digital image files or ten minutes total of time-based media content (or a combination of both for a total of 10 units) that support the proposal statement and follow the guidelines listed below.

• At least half of the images/media files submitted must be artwork that will be included in your final exhibition should your application be successful.
• Curated, two-person and group exhibitions: send ten files maximum.
• Applicants who wish to include a combination of digital images and media files: send ten files maximum with no more than ten minutes of content total. For each minute of video/audio content, remove one digital image (i.e. send 6 JPG images and one video file that is 4 minutes long or send 6 JPGs and 2 video files that are 2 minutes long each).
• Strict adherence to the naming convention outlined below is necessary for images to be uploaded into our database and successfully viewed during the peer assessment committee meeting. Failure to adhere to this format may render your file unusable.

Image files must be:

• Saved as JPG at 72 dpi and no larger than 1 MB each
• Named with the corresponding image list number, title, date, medium and dimensions, each separated by an underscore. Do not leave a space before or after the underscore. File names must not exceed 150 characters.

Format for naming image files:

01_Artwork Title_year_medium_dimensions.jpg             

Examples:

01_The Mountain_2014_graphite, acrylic and metal_96 x 106 inches.jpg
02_Untitled 3 detail_2019_chromogenic print on paper_206 x 122 cm.jpg
03_Installation at Karsh-Masson Gallery_2015_mixed media_variable dimensions.jpg

Time-based media files must be:

• Shared using a web link to each video or audio file. If the web link does not work, the content will not be viewed. 
• Cued to the excerpt you want presented to the committee (or provide detailed cue instructions in the description field).

Support material that requires specialized software, plug-ins, extensions, or other executables that need to be downloaded or installed will not be reviewed. Applicants are responsible for testing support materials to ensure readability.

Deadline and notification

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The Public Art Program will send applicants a confirmation email when your application has been received and processed. If you do not receive an email from the Public Art Program two weeks after your submission, please contact us for confirmation.

Applicants will be notified of the peer assessment committee’s decisions by email within three months of the deadline date.

Results are final. Due to the volume of applications received for this competition, artistic feedback will not be provided. If your application is not successful, you are encouraged to try again!

Copyright and moral rights

The artist shall retain the copyright of the artworks. Moral rights also remain with the artist. The City of Ottawa will seek copyright permission to reproduce images of the artwork for non-commercial purposes.

Confidentiality of information

Personal information in your application is collected under the authority of the City Council approved Public Art Policy. Personal information will only be used for evaluating your application and administering the City of Ottawa Public Art Program. City of Ottawa employees and peer assessment committee members are required to treat both the content of applications and the deliberations of the committee as confidential. Committee members turn in their copies of materials for shredding and delete their computer files at the end of the peer assessment meeting.

Addenda

Question: How are exhibition costs, artist fees and curatorial fees allocated, and which are covered by the gallery versus which ones are covered by the artist?
Answer: Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee.

Complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist. The cost to prepare, produce and transport the artworks to the exhibition space are the sole responsibility of the artist.

The Public Art Program covers the cost of all standard exhibition deliverables such as the printing/installing of vinyl lettering, the printing of exhibition booklets, and the installing/dismantling artworks and equipment. We will cover the writing fee should the artist wish to hire a writer for the exhibit booklet’s interpretive text. Artists who are successful in the competition will receive a breakdown of these items in their contract and will also be able to discuss details during their standard 5-month check-in meeting with the Public Art Officer, Exhibitions.

To offset our Program's limited budget, artists often apply for additional funding through various organizations that include the City of Ottawa or the Ontario Arts Council, to name a few.

Question: Am I eligible to apply if I took part in a previous exhibition as a guest writer?
Answer: Yes, those who previously took part in exhibitions as guest writers for the exhibit booklet’s interpretive text are still eligible to apply. However, applicants who have exhibited as artists or curators at Corridor 45|75, Karsh-Masson Gallery or City Hall Art Gallery within the last four consecutive years are not eligible to apply.

Question: Are City of Ottawa employees eligible to apply?
Answer: No, unfortunately all full-time and part-time City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives are not eligible to apply.

Question: Can you clarify what “participating in the local arts community” means, and is my connection to Ottawa sufficient?
Answer: The strength of your artistic connection to Ottawa and level of participation in the local arts community will be assessed during the peer-assessment phase by way of jury discussion. We suggest clearly outlining your connection to Ottawa in your proposal.

Question: Does the City of Ottawa Public Art Program cover expenses related to shipping of artwork?
Answer: No, the City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems, shipping or transportation of artworks as outlined in our honorarium criteria.

Question: Does the City of Ottawa Public Art Program provide TV screens for use in exhibitions? Can you provide technical information about these?
Answer: Artists who are successful in the competition are welcome to use the gallery equipment. The gallery has two high-quality projectors, a few media players, and many TVs – this will be discussed and if you are selected for an exhibition.

If an artist requires any additional equipment, they will have to source/rent it elsewhere at his/her/their own expense. Artworks that require electricity must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency prior to being installed. The object(s) must have an official certification mark or label indicating that the product has been independently assessed for safety.  A list of recognized certification marks and labels is available. 

Question: If I am selected for an exhibition and more than half my works change by the time the exhibition time comes around, is that ok?
Answer: No, this is not acceptable. As is outlined in the Support material section of the Call, at least half of the images/media files submitted in your application must be artwork that will be included in your final exhibition should your application be successful. The gallery reserves

the right to refuse to display works of art that are not consistent with the original proposal at the sole discretion of the gallery and may result in a cancellation or postponement of the exhibit.

Question: How do you assess if an artist is professional?
Answer: Based on our eligibility criteria, artists are considered to be professional if their peers recognize them as such. This is based on their commitment to their practice, history of public presentation, and artistic training. Training doesn’t have to take the form of a college or university education – art classes, workshops and apprenticeships are all recognized. The peer assessment committee’s evaluation is based on the strength, merit and professionalism of the proposal and support material that accompanies it, as well as the suitability to the gallery spaces.

Question: Do I have to pay to exhibit my work, or do I get paid to exhibit?
Answer: You do not have to pay to exhibit your work. Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee. The City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems and the transportation of artwork(s) and complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment, regular monitoring or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist.

Question: How do I get images of my works to submit?
Answer: You can photograph, photocopy or scan your artworks, depending on what is most suitable. Submit these files as JPEGS and in adherence to our image file standards as outlined on the call. If you require assistance with your application, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca or phone 613-580-2424 ext. 14167

Question: Are there size requirements for artworks?
Answer: There are no size requirements for artworks, as long as they can fit in the gallery space. See gallery floor plans below for more information in this regard:

• Karsh-Masson Gallery [ PDF - 987 KB ]
• City Hall Art Gallery [ PDF - 835 KB ]

Artworks in an exhibition can be varied in size, just like they can be varied in media, approach, etc.

Question: Are there any stipulations regarding the display/framing of artworks?
Answer: No. You can exhibit unframed works, canvas works, framed works, etc. The only stipulation is that your artwork arrives with appropriate hardware to allow for hanging/installation. If the artist does not provide hardware, the gallery will provide hardware and reclaim it at the end of the exhibition. 3D artwork or complex installations may require gallery stanchions, plinths, or additional security support. The gallery can provide these based on availability.

Question: Are there certain themes that are more suitable for exhibiting in Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery or Corridor 45|75, and are there themes that are not allowed?
Answer: The City doesn’t censor artists. You are welcome to apply with works that cover any theme which will in turn be assessed by way of selection committee discussion. As accessible and public gallery spaces, we try to be respectful of the galleries’ diverse audience. For example, subject matter that displays nudity will be accompanied by a discretionary sign.

Question: What are the timeline considerations for selected exhibitions?
Answer: Exhibition timeslots are determined further into the process (post selection) and are based on many factors. Selected artists/curators will receive notice of their exhibition dates well in advance of exhibition start dates. If you have a preferred exhibition season, please select using the online form. Although the Public Art Program will do its best to accommodate the preferred exhibition season, there are no guarantees due to overall scheduling impacts.

Both galleries present a combined total of approximately 8 exhibitions annually, each of which lasts approximately eleven weeks.

Question: If my exhibition is selected, do I have to be in-person at the allotted gallery space at certain times, and do I have to be there during delivery of artworks, install, etc.
Answer: Selected artists and curators are contracted to be present on installation and dismantle dates. Artists are also responsible for the delivery and pick-up of their artworks from the gallery space. Delivery and pickup times for artwork can be worked out in the months prior to the exhibition start date.

Contact Us

Karsh-Masson Gallery and City Hall Art Gallery are operated by the City of Ottawa Public Art Program.
publicartprogram@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 ext. 14167

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you are unable to view documents or require alternative file formats, please complete an Accessible Documents Request Form.

Public Art Program – newsletter sign up form

By signing up for our newsletter, you will receive calls and announcements regarding the City of Ottawa Art Collection, public art commissions, and exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Corridor 45|75 all in one place. 

This competition is now closed.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

About Corridor 45|75

Corridor 45|75 is located at the O-Train Line 1 (Confederation Line)’s Rideau Station on the west concourse near the Rideau Centre entrance. It is open every day; opening hours coincide with the O-Train Line 1 operating hours. It is wheelchair accessible and admission is free through the Sussex Drive and Rideau Street entrance. (Hours of operation are subject to change due to Covid-19 closures.) Exhibitions at Corridor 45|75 feature the work of local professional artists working in all media and include solo, group and curated exhibitions. Corridor 45|75 presents approximately 3 exhibitions annually.

Important note about the exhibition space

Corridor 45|75 is a unique exhibition space located in a high-traffic underground light rail transit station one level above the train tracks. It is not a pristine, climate-controlled environment and is therefore best suited to artwork that is protected, framed, non-porous, not needing climate controls and can be easily cleaned. The display space is protected by tempered glass doors that are locked but are not airtight. Behind the glass windows, the exhibition area is one long continuous space. Sections B to F are programmable (refer to architectural drawing); sections A and G feature permanent signage and cannot be used as exhibition space. Site-specific exhibitions that engage with this unique space will be the most successful. Although Rideau Station has 24/7 security, gallery staff are not onsite daily therefore exhibitions must be self-sufficient and cannot require regular maintenance. Artists are strongly encouraged to visit Corridor 45|75 and familiarize themselves with the current conditions of the space prior to applying.

A public gallery is a forum for the exploration of diverse ideas. The City of Ottawa exhibits artwork in all media that are of interest and importance to the community, that foster a sense of who we are, and that reflect current artistic practices. These exhibitions are presented in the public domain allowing for an appreciation, understanding and interpretation of our past and present through gallery programming.

The City of Ottawa encourages applications from individuals with lived experience and identity as a member of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and other equity-deserving groups. The City of Ottawa recognizes the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation as Ottawa’s Indigenous Host Nation. The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting cultural activities that respond to the Calls to Action put forward in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Applications from Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and curators are welcome and encouraged. The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

Architectural drawing

• Please contact us for an architectural drawing of Corridor 45|75.

Eligibility

• This call for proposals is open to local professional artists and curators working in all media. A professional artist is someone who has specialized training in his or her artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions), who is recognized by his or her peers as such, is committed to his or her artistic activity, and has a history of public presentation.
• Applicants must reside within a 150 km radius of Ottawa.
• Applicants who have exhibited at Corridor 45|75, Karsh-Masson Gallery or City Hall Art Gallery within the last four consecutive years are not eligible to apply.

Only one proposal per applicant will be considered and the first application received by the Public Art Program will be the one that is considered City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives are not eligible to apply.

Artworks with electrical components:

• Artworks that require electricity must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency prior to being installed at Corridor 45|75. The object(s) must have an official certification mark or label indicating that the product has been independently assessed for safety.  A list of recognized certification marks and labels is available.
• For more information, visit the Electrical Safety Authority or call 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233).
• Any costs associated with meeting the certification requirement are the sole responsibility of the artist.
• Applicants must provide documentation that their artwork(s) meets ESA standards (i.e. certification mark) in their proposal.

Honorarium

• Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee.
• The exhibition fee and the curatorial fee include all professional services related to the preparation, installation, consultation, writing tasks, and production of artwork(s) associated with the exhibition.
• The City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems and the transportation of artwork(s).
• Complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment, regular monitoring or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist.

Assessment criteria and process

All eligible applications are reviewed by a peer assessment committee based on the following criteria:

• Artistic merit, originality and professionalism
• Cohesiveness of the artwork examples and the written proposal statement
• How the artwork engages with the unique exhibition space
• Appropriateness and suitability of the proposal to the highly public nature of the exhibition space
• Technical and physical feasibility

Peer assessment committee members first review eligible applications individually then meet to review them together. The composition of each committee aims to balance representation of artistic specialization, practice, style, and philosophy, as well as fair representation of official languages, gender, geographic areas and culture-specific communities. Peer assessment committee members are chosen based on their knowledge and experience, fair and objective opinions, ability to articulate ideas, and ability to work in a team environment. Members of the committee change with every competition. City employees are responsible for the selection of peer assessment committee members. If you are interested in participating as a peer assessment committee member, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca.

Support material

Read through the Call for proposals completely before beginning your online application and make sure you have all the required information ready.

• A complete application must include the support material listed below
• Support material may be written in English or French
• Files must be saved in a format compatible with Windows 10
• To format a PDF document, utilize “Save as” or “Export” from a Word or similar text-based document

Save items 2, 3 and 4 as one PDF.

1. Proposal synopsis (80 words maximum)
Summarize the proposal statement. The peer assessment committee will refer to the synopsis as a quick reference during deliberations.

2. Proposal statement (two pages or 1,000 words maximum)

• Describe the proposed exhibition’s content and theme, and how you will situate your artwork within the gallery space. A clear understanding of the space is necessary for the committee to visualize your exhibition (see gallery floor plan for reference).
• Two-person and group exhibitions must clearly outline a cohesive theme and rationale.
• Due to the highly public nature of the gallery, proposed exhibitions must be as self-sufficient as possible.  
• Outline any technical or electronic specifications of the exhibition.

3. Artistic resumé (three pages or 1,500 words maximum per artist)
If multiple artists are involved, include each artist’s resumé.

4. Image/media list (two pages maximum)
List the following information about each image/media file included in your application: artist’s name, artwork title, date, material and support, dimensions, and duration of artwork (if applicable). This list may also include additional information or a description about the individual artworks.

5. Digital image files and time-based media files
Upload ten digital image files or ten minutes total of media content (or a combination of both for a total of 10 units) that support the proposal statement and follow the guidelines listed below.

• At least half of the images/media files submitted must be artwork that will be included in your final exhibition should your application be successful.
• Curated, two-person and group exhibitions: send ten files maximum.
• Applicants who wish to include a combination of digital images and media files: send ten files maximum with no more than ten minutes of content total. For each minute of video/audio content, remove one digital image (i.e. send 6 jpg images and one video file that is 4 minutes long or send 6 jpgs and 2 video files that are 2 minutes long each).
• Strict adherence to the naming convention outlined below is necessary for images to be uploaded into our database and successfully viewed during the peer assessment committee meeting. Failure to adhere to this format may render your file unusable.

Image files must be:

• Saved as JPG at 72 dpi and no larger than 1 MB each
• Named with the corresponding image list number, title, date, medium and dimensions, each separated by an underscore. Do not leave a space before or after the underscore. File names must not exceed 150 characters.

Format for naming image files:

01_Artwork Title_year_medium_dimensions.jpg              

Examples:

01_The Mountain_2014_graphite, acrylic and metal_96 x 106 inches.jpg
02_Untitled 3 detail_2019_chromogenic print on paper_206 x 122 cm.jpg
03_Installation at Karsh-Masson Gallery_2015_mixed media_variable dimensions.jpg

Time-based media files must be:

• Shared using a web link to each video or audio file. If the web link does not work, the content will not be viewed.
• Cued to the excerpt you want presented to the committee (or provide detailed cue instructions in the description field).

Support material that requires specialized software, plug-ins, extensions, or other executables that need to be downloaded or installed will not be reviewed. Applicants are responsible for testing support materials to ensure readability.

Deadline and notification

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The Public Art Program will send applicants a confirmation email when your application has been received and processed. If you do not receive an email from the Public Art Program two weeks after your submission, please contact us for confirmation.

Applicants will be notified of the peer assessment committee’s decisions by email within three months of the deadline date.

Results are final. Due to the volume of applications received for this competition, artistic feedback will not be provided. If your application is not successful, you are encouraged to try again!

Copyright and moral rights

The artist shall retain the copyright of the artworks. Moral rights also remain with the artist. The City of Ottawa will seek copyright permission to reproduce images of the artwork for non-commercial purposes.

Confidentiality of information

Personal information in your application is collected under the authority of the City Council approved Public Art Policy. Personal information will only be used for evaluating your application and administering the City of Ottawa Public Art Program. City of Ottawa employees and peer assessment committee members are required to treat both the content of applications and the deliberations of the committee as confidential. Committee members turn in their copies of materials for shredding and delete their computer files at the end of the peer assessment meeting.

Addenda

Question: How are exhibition costs, artist fees and curatorial fees allocated, and which are covered by the gallery versus which ones are covered by the artist?
Answer: Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee.

Complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist. The cost to prepare, produce and transport the artworks to the exhibition space are the sole responsibility of the artist. The artist is also responsible for writing the exhibition text, if applicable.

The Public Art Program covers the cost of all standard exhibition deliverables such as the printing/installing of vinyl lettering and the installing/dismantling artworks and equipment. Artists who are successful in the competition will receive a breakdown of these items in their contract and will also be able to discuss details during their standard 5-month check-in meeting with the Public Art Officer, Exhibitions.

To offset our Program's limited budget, artists often apply for additional funding through various organizations that include the City of Ottawa or the Ontario Arts Council, to name a few.

Question: Are City of Ottawa employees eligible to apply?
Answer: No, unfortunately all full-time and part-time City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives are not eligible to apply.

Question: Does the City of Ottawa Public Art Program cover expenses related to shipping of artwork?
Answer: No, the City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems, shipping or transportation of artworks as outlined in our honorarium criteria.

Question: Does the City of Ottawa Public Art Program provide TV screens for use in exhibitions? Can you provide technical information about these?
Answer: Artists who are successful in the competition are welcome to use the gallery equipment. The gallery has two high-quality projectors, a few media players, and many TVs – this will be discussed and if you are selected for an exhibition.

If an artist requires any additional equipment, they will have to source/rent it elsewhere at his/her/their own expense. Artworks that require electricity must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency prior to being installed. The object(s) must have an official certification mark or label indicating that the product has been independently assessed for safety.  A list of recognized certification marks and labels is available. 

Question: If I am selected for an exhibition and more than half my works change by the time the exhibition time comes around, is that ok?
Answer: No, this is not acceptable. As is outlined in the Support material section of the Call, at least half of the images/media files submitted in your application must be artwork that will be included in your final exhibition should your application be successful. The gallery reserves

the right to refuse to display works of art that are not consistent with the original proposal at the sole discretion of the gallery and may result in a cancellation or postponement of the exhibit.

Question: Are there limitations to attaching and/or hanging artwork in the Corridor 45|75 space?
Answer: Corridor 45|75 is a unique exhibition space that has some limitations. Although the walls are gallery quality (made of drywall with plywood backing) in which screws and nails can be used to hang artwork, hanging heavy artwork from the ceiling is not permitted as the ceiling tiles are not weight-bearing. Please also note that the display space itself is protected by tempered glass doors that are not airtight, so artwork that is framed, protected, non-porous, not needing climate controls and can be easily cleaned is best suited for this this environment. Other hanging limitations are size based, imposed by the dimensions of the space. For this spatial limitation, we suggest visiting the space in person and reviewing the Corridor 45|75 architectural drawing that you can receive by emailing publicartprogram@ottawa.ca.

Question: How do you assess if an artist is professional?
Answer: Based on our eligibility criteria, artists are considered to be professional if their peers recognize them as such. This is based on their commitment to their practice, history of public presentation, and artistic training. Training doesn’t have to take the form of a college or university education – art classes, workshops and apprenticeships are all recognized. The peer assessment committee’s evaluation is based on the strength, merit and professionalism of the proposal and support material that accompanies it, as well as the suitability to the gallery spaces.

Question: Do I have to pay to exhibit my work, or do I get paid to exhibit?
Answer: You do not have to pay to exhibit your work. Exhibiting artists will be paid an exhibition fee in accordance with either the 2024 or the 2025 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, Section 1 (Exhibition and Screening Royalty Schedule, Institutional Category I). Curators will receive a professional fee. The City of Ottawa Public Art Program does not cover expenses related to travel, accommodation, per diems and the transportation of artwork(s) and complex installations of any kind requiring special equipment, regular monitoring or specific support beyond the City of Ottawa Public Art Program’s budget are the sole responsibility of the artist.

Question: How do I get images of my works to submit?
Answer: You can photograph, photocopy or scan your artworks, depending on what is most suitable. Submit these files as JPEGS and in adherence to our image file standards as outlined on the call. If you require assistance with your application, please email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca or phone 613-580-2424 ext. 14167

Question: Are there certain themes that are more suitable for exhibiting in Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery or Corridor 45|75, and are there themes that are not allowed?
Answer: The City doesn’t censor artists. You are welcome to apply with works that cover any theme which will in turn be assessed by way of selection committee discussion. As accessible and public gallery spaces, we try to be respectful of the galleries’ diverse audience. For example, subject matter that displays nudity will be accompanied by a discretionary sign.

Question: What are the timeline considerations for selected exhibitions?
Answer: Exhibition timeslots are determined further into the process (post selection) and are based on many factors. Selected artists/curators will receive notice of their exhibition dates well in advance of exhibition start dates. If you have a preferred exhibition season, please select using the online form. Although the Program will do its best to accommodate the preferred exhibition season, there are no guarantees due to overall scheduling impacts.

Corridor 45|75 presents a total of approximately 3 exhibitions annually, each of which lasts approximately fifteen weeks.

Question: If my exhibition is selected, do I have to be in-person at the allotted gallery space at certain times, and do I have to be there during delivery of artworks, install, etc.
Answer: Selected artists and curators are contracted to be present on installation and dismantle dates. Artists are also responsible for the delivery and pick-up of their artworks from the gallery space. Delivery and pickup times for artwork can be worked out in the months prior to the exhibition start date.

Contact us

Corridor 45|75 is operated by the City of Ottawa Public Art Program.
publicartprogram@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 ext. 14167

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you are unable to view documents or require alternative file formats, please complete an Accessible Documents Request Form.

Public Art Program – newsletter sign up form

By signing up for our newsletter, you will receive calls and announcements regarding the City of Ottawa Art Collection, public art commissions, and exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Corridor 45|75 all in one place. 

Deadline: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)

Online application form: Please have your content ready for inputting as the form does not save your information if you leave or refresh the page.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. The City of Ottawa honours the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

About Direct Purchase

The City of Ottawa Public Art Program invites professional artists, and their representatives, to offer existing artworks for purchase. Applications are reviewed by a peer assessment committee and artworks recommended for purchase become part of the City of Ottawa Art Collection. Artworks from this diverse collection are presented in over 170 public sites across Ottawa. Direct Purchase is a competitive program for participants to offer artwork for purchase to the City of Ottawa.

Before submitting your application, please review the Eligibility section below.

Program objectives

• To support eligible emerging, mid-career and established professional visual artists.
• To purchase existing artworks to be added into the City of Ottawa Art Collection.
• To support activities that address the priorities identified in the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture in Ottawa (2013 - 2018)[1.62 MB], including prioritizing applications from individuals with lived experience and identity as a member of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and other equity-deserving groups and artists not currently in the City of Ottawa Art Collection.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

1. Professional artists, or
2. Representatives of professional artists, such as a gallery or an estate who is applying on behalf of professional artist(s).

Professional artists must have completed specialized training in their artistic field or be recognized by their peers as a professional artist.

Participants must either be the author of the artwork or must represent the author of the artwork.

Artists must live, or have lived, within a 150 km radius of Ottawa or the artwork must have a local connection (please indicate this in the Artist Statement or Artistic Résumé).

Artists must be committed to their artistic practice.

Artists must have created a body of work outside of basic training.

Artists who identify as Anishinabe Algonquin.

The City of Ottawa supports cultural activity that is inclusive of Ottawa's equity-deserving communities, including people from diverse ancestries, abilities, ages, countries of origin, cultures, genders, incomes, languages, races and sexual identities. The City of Ottawa recognizes the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation as Ottawa’s Indigenous Host Nation. The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting cultural activities that respond to the Calls to Action put forward in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Applications from members of the Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and curators are welcome and encouraged. The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

Who is not eligible?

• Students who have not yet completed arts training.
• Individuals who are not authors nor representatives of professional artists.
• Artists who do not live, nor have not lived, within a 150 km radius of Ottawa.
• City of Ottawa employees or elected representatives in compliance with the City of Ottawa Employee Code of Conduct and all applicable laws and regulations.

Restrictions

• Applicants, not including galleries, may only submit one application at a time within this opportunity.
• Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee purchase of artwork.

Assessment criteria

Applications are assessed by a Peer Assessment Committee according to:

• Artistic merit
• Regional importance
• Innovation
• Conservation and maintenance requirements
• Suitability of the artwork for installation in an office and/or public setting

Who is on the Peer Assessment Committee?

• The composition of the committee aims to balance representation of artistic specialization, practice, style, and philosophy, as well as fair representation of official languages, gender, geographic areas, and culture-specific communities.
• Peer assessment committee members are chosen based on their knowledge and experience, fair and objective opinions, ability to articulate ideas, and ability to work in a team environment.
• Members of the Peer Assessment Committee change for every opportunity.
• Members of the Peer Assessment Committee are selected after the competition closes and must declare conflicts of interest prior to participation.

Application process

Read through the Call to Artists completely before beginning your online application and make sure you have all the required information ready.

• A complete application must include support material listed below, up to five images or five minutes of time-based media or a combination thereof.
• Support material may be written in English or French.
• Files must be saved in a format compatible with Windows 10.
• To format a PDF document, utilize “Save as” or “Export” from a Word or similar text-based document.

Support materials

Items 1, 2, and 3 are mandatory and are to be saved as one PDF

1. Artist statement (maximum 500 words).
2. Artistic résumé (maximum 1500 words).
3. Image/Media list – is a required component. It is a direct reference to the artwork image or media files you are including in your application. The image/media list is an opportunity to add information or additional descriptions of individual artworks. Use this list to indicate series, edition, or other significant details in point form.

Digital image files and time-based media files

Upload five digital image files or five minutes total of time-based media content (or a combination of both for a total of 5 units) that follow the guidelines listed below.

Image files must be:

• JPG format and no larger than 1 MB each.
• Named with the corresponding Image/Media list number, title, date, medium, dimensions and price, each separated by an underscore.
• Do not leave a space before or after the underscore.
• File names must not exceed 150 characters.
• Failure to adhere to this format may render your file unusable.

Format for naming image files

01_Artwork Title_year_medium_dimensions_$price.jpg

Examples:

• 01_The Mountain_2023_graphite, acrylic and metal_96 x 106 inches_$1500.jpg
• 02_Untitled 3 detail_2022_chromogenic print on paper_206 x 122 cm_$0.jpg
• 03_Installation at Karsh-Masson Gallery variable dimensions_2022_mixed media_ 0x0cm_$0.jpg

If not submitting video/media files, five images per application are required. When artworks are not available for sale, applicants may include reference images of artworks that have previously sold or are not for sale, detail images of artworks, images with alternate points of view (i.e., for sculptures), or images of artwork from a similar series that have previously sold. Reference images of artworks not for sale/alternate views should be listed with a price of $0.

Application form

Application assistance

We are available to help you prepare your application in the following ways:

• Discuss eligibility of your application, requirements of the opportunity and answer any questions about the application and evaluation process
• Virtual information meeting (details at top of page).
  • The meeting will be aimed at first-time applicants however all are welcome to attend.
  • Download the Zoom app or participate in the meeting using a web browser.

Deadline and notification

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) on Wednesday April 10, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The Public Art Program will send you a confirmation email when your application has been received and processed. If you do not receive an email from the Public Art Program within two weeks after your submission, please contact us for confirmation.

All participants will be notified by email of the results of the first stage of the 2024 Direct Purchase by August 2024.

Results are final. Due to the volume of applications received, artistic feedback will not be provided.

If your application is not successful, you are encouraged to try again!

The peer assessment committee is comprised of new members for each competition. If your artwork was not recommended for purchase understand that your submission may have been supported but the Direct Purchase’s limited budget cannot fund all applicants, regardless of their merit.

Copyright and moral rights

The artist shall retain the copyright of the artworks. Moral rights also remain with the artist. The City of Ottawa will seek copyright permission to reproduce images of the artwork for non-commercial purposes.

Confidentiality of information

Personal information in your application is collected under the authority of the City Council approved Public Art Policy. Personal information will only be used for evaluating your application and administering the City of Ottawa Public Art Program. City of Ottawa employees and peer assessment committee members are required to treat both the content of applications and the deliberations of the committee as confidential. Committee members turn in their copies of materials for shredding and delete their computer files at the end of the peer assessment meeting.

Contact us

Erica Chi
Erica.chi@ottawa.ca
613-806-8798

Sarah Patterson
sarahm.patterson@ottawa.ca
613-806-9586

For general information about the City of Ottawa Public Art Program or technical issues contact publicartprogram@ottawa.ca.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you are unable to view documents or require alternative file formats, please complete an Accessible Documents Request Form.

Public Art Program - Newsletter sign up form

By signing up for our newsletter, you will receive calls and announcements regarding the City of Ottawa Art Collection, public art commissions, and exhibitions at Karsh-Masson Gallery, City Hall Art Gallery and Corridor 45|75 all in one place.