CRAZY DAMES

Create Your Path Call for Submissions

Please note: this is a condensed version of the full artist call. Those interested in submitting a proposal, please review all criteria in the extended call document HERE. 

The City of Toronto invites artists to submit proposals to participate in StreetARToronto’s Create Your Path project.  This Artist Call is Stage 1 of a Two Stage selection process.

“Create Your Path” is a street art project taking place along the West Toronto Railpath (WTR) in the west end of the City. The project will result in the creation of street art along the railpath in 5 key locations. Production of the art will roll out over the next two years, with community engagement and three installations completed by Fall 2017. This Call is specifically to request proposals for the Red Cross Building at 21 Randolph Avenue and the fence at Wallace  Lofts at 371 Wallace Avenue.

The West Toronto Railpath is a linear park and an important link that connects residents in the unique neighbourhoods of Bloor West, Junction Triangle, Roncesvalles, Dundas West and Parkdale, and beyond. This project offers an opportunity to capture and share the WTR’s unique identity and histories, reflect residents’ ideals, establish a sense of belonging and pride and create inclusive and attractive spaces. 

As part of Create Your Path, a community engagement process has been initiated to understand how community members currently experience the path, how they envision the trail and what types of imagery and themes they would like to see along it. The themes developed through this process form the basis of this art call and are included below.

Guiding Themes

Artists or artist teams are asked to submit a proposal considering the following themes:

HERITAGE · LAND · INTERCONNECTION

HERITAGEIndigenous history, Industrial history

Indigenous history

Create Your Path is an opportunity to communicate and celebrate the traditional territories of this area. 

Industrial history

This area also has a rich history of rail transportation linkages that once supported heavy industry in the area.

Responses to this theme may include:

-        Representation of both the past andpresent Indigenous communities of the area

-        Portrayal of the likely origins of therailway’s development along one of the many trails created by First Nations toaccess Lake Ontario

-        Depiction of The Junction’smanufacturing and railway history and the significance of the railway’slinkages to Toronto to other Canadian towns and cities

INTERCONNECTION:  Community, diversity, accessibility

The West Toronto Railpath connects diverse communities of the area, both due to its physical location at the junction of distinct neighbourhoods and through its activation by users (cyclists, pedestrians, visitors).

Responses to this theme may include:

-        The future of the Railpath and how itcontinues to develop as a community hub

-        Celebrating the diversity of the Cityand the surrounding neighbourhoods

-        The daily use of the Railpath by commuters, cyclists, runners, etc.

LANDNatural landscapes, plantings, environmental sustainability

The West Toronto Railpath, which opened in 2009, is a multipurpose linear park,that has integrated a unique landscape ecology that celebrates local, native plantings and biodiversity. The community is continuing its efforts to cultivate and enrich the existing green space through ongoing planting initiatives.

Responsesto this theme may include:

-        Colours, patterns and other imagery inspired by the flora and fauna of the area

-        The importance of green space in cities

Collaborative practices

Artists are welcome to submit proposals that also consider community involvement and interactivity with, for example, community groups, students and artist collectives.

Proposed works can be painted, digital banners or other mediums (Feasibility of installation, operations (if applicable) and ongoing maintenance will be a consideration in the shortlisting process and Final Design call).

Proposals may list a specific site they wish to respond to, or also specify that they are open to the Selection Committee considering the most appropriate site.

Interested artists/artist teams are invited to submit:

-       Maximum 500-word project proposal (1 page),

-       Contact information

-       CV (2 pages maximum per team member)

-       Short bio (including past experience working on similar projects) (Max 300 words per team member)

-       Documentation of up to 10 images of past work (jpeg format 72 dpi, dimensions of 1024 pixels on longest side- approx. 500 KB),

-       Contact information for 3 references

-       Preliminary budget template

Application Deadline: Friday, May 26, 2017, 11:59 PM

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by June 5th and will receive an honorarium ($1000) to develop a presentation, budget,material list and image concept to be presented to community members and the Create Your Path Selection Committee onJuly 11th. Please note that we only require the proposal in written form and documentation of past works at this stage in the process.

Artists, whose final designs are selected by the community and Selection Committee, will be informed by mid-July. Finished works are scheduled to be completed for October 2017.

Eligibility Requirements:

Artists located within the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). International artists are eligible to apply providing they are currently residing in the GTHA. 

Note: Selected candidates for the Red Cross building will be required to complete Working at Heights and Aerial Work Platform training and will be asked to provide their course completion plan at the shortlisting phase if selected.

Inquiries

If you have any questions, please contact: Carolyn Taylor, Project Lead StreetARToronto

streetart@toronto.ca

416-392-4205

or Crazy Dames:

thecrazydames@gmail.com

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