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Call to Indigenous Artists: Expressions of Interest (EOI)
Two Permanent Public Art Installation Opportunities in Cabbagetown
The Cabbagetown Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the City of Toronto invite Indigenous artists based in Canada—preferably with connections to Toronto—to submit their qualifications for the first stage of a two-stage public art competition.
This opportunity seeks to commission two new permanent public artworks to be installed at the corner of Spruce Street and Parliament Street (along the south-facing wall of No Frills):
Opportunity 1: Sculptural Artwork(s) | Budget: $108,000 CAD (+ HST)
Opportunity 2: Mural | Budget: $20,000 CAD (+ HST)
EOI Application Deadline: November 29, 2026, by 11:59 PM EST
Project Vision & Objectives
The installations will centre on connecting the Cabbagetown neighbourhood and the City of Toronto to its Indigenous roots, creating permanent works that carry the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.
The goal is to embody and honour the Indigenous history of the lands where Cabbagetown resides through art that embraces Indigenous teachings, culture, and values.
Key Goals for the Artworks:
Celebrate Connections: Honour Cabbagetown's Indigenous connections across the past, present, and future.
Placemaking & Wayfinding: Serve as welcoming elements for community members and visitors while guiding people from Parliament Street into the Spruce Street parkette.
Cohesive Design: Opportunity 1 (Sculptures) and Opportunity 2 (Mural) will be installed alongside one another, with the mural acting as a backdrop to the sculptures. Selected artists must be open to collaborating to establish shared thematic elements or a cohesive visual identity.
Durability & Quality: Artworks must be brand-new, original concepts made with durable materials built to withstand extreme weather, vandalism, and traffic.
The Opportunities
Opportunity 1: Sculptural Artwork(s)
Budget: ~$108,000 CAD (+ HST)
Location: Sidewalk parkette along Spruce Street near the No Frills wall (maintaining public right-of-way).
Scope: A single large-scale sculpture or a distributed series of sculptural pieces.
Opportunity 2: Mural
Budget: ~$20,000 CAD (+ HST)
Location: South-facing wall of No Frills at Spruce Street and Parliament Street.
Scope: A permanent mural integrated around existing business signage, running from the corner along the wall, treated with an anti-graffiti coating.
Competition Structure & Artist Fees
This is a two-stage competition adhering to the goals of the Toronto Public Art Strategy 2020–2030:
Stage One: Expression of Interest (EOI)
The Selection Panel will review artist qualifications and portfolio submissions to select a shortlist of up to six (6) artists (4 for the sculpture project, 2 for the mural). No design proposals are required or accepted at this stage.
Stage Two: Proposal Development
Shortlisted artists will be invited to submit a detailed design concept, budget, and statement. Each shortlisted artist who completes Stage Two will receive a $1,000 CAD (+ HST) proposal fee.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must identify as Indigenous (Status or Non-Status First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) based in Canada.
Applicants should demonstrate artistic training or exhibition history, recognition by peers/arts professionals, and a strong connection to their Indigenous community and lived experiences.
Preference will be given to artists with public art experience and ties to Toronto and the Cabbagetown area. (Prior public art commission experience is welcomed, but not strictly required).
Submission Requirements
Interested artists must submit a single PDF package (Max 20 MB) via email. Your package must include:
Artistic Statement (1 page max): Outline your artistic practice, approach, experience, and interest in this project.
Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max): Detailing professional artistic experience.
Artist Portfolio: Maximum of 10 images of relevant past projects with detailed captions (title, year, medium, budget, dimensions, description).
Connection to Community Statement: A brief written statement describing your connection to Indigenous community and/or lived experience as an Indigenous person.
Email Submissions To:
Tessa Shank, Indigenous Public Art Curator
Please state clearly in your email subject header and PDF title which opportunity you are applying for (Opportunity 1: Sculptural Artwork, or Opportunity 2: Mural). Separate application packages are required if applying for both.
Key Dates
EOI Submissions Due: November 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
Shortlisted Artists Notified: Mid-January 2027
Stage Two Proposals Due: Late March 2027
Final Artist Selection: Late April 2027
Fabrication Starts: Late May 2027
Installation Deadline: August 27, 2027
Contact & Accommodations
If you require accommodations or support during the application process, please reach out prior to the submission deadline to discuss alternate formats.
Contact:
Tessa Shank
Indigenous Public Art Curator
Email: tkaronto.art@gmail.com