Call for Submissions

This call is open to professional Canadian artists* residing in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area community (GTHA). Artists with demonstrated experience working with youth and seniors and connections to Oakville will be given priority. The selected artist will be required to travel to Oakville, Ontario.

Artists must be 18 years of age and older.

Town of Oakville employees are not eligible to apply.

All applicants will be reviewed on:

• Artistic merit of past work. 
• Professional qualifications and experience in community-based art.
• Capacity to work with youth and seniors in collaborative settings.
• Demonstrated capacity to complete the project.

The selected artist will enter a contract with the Town of Oakville for the creation of the mural, will be required to provide a satisfactory police vulnerable sector check (dated within the last 30 days) and provide general liability insurance. The successful artist will have a maximum budget of $10,000 to create the artwork. The final artwork to be unveiled in May and June 2025.

An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. 

The goals of this project are to:    

• Provide visual interest and enhance the Trafalgar Park Community Centre with an inspiring and welcoming interior public mural that celebrates the neighbourhood.
• Engage and lead the local youth community, aged 13 to 18 years/Grades 9 to 12, and the local seniors community (age 50 and older) in the design and creation of the artwork.
• Foster dialogue.

The Intergenerational Mural Project is a collaborative initiative that unites local youth (ages 13 to 18) and seniors (age 50 and older) to express their creativity and contribute meaningfully to their community. This project is a partnership with the Oakville Youth Action Committee (OYAC) and the Oakville Seniors Services Policy Review Board. Guided by a professional artist, participants will design and paint a large-scale mural reflecting their shared vision and values of the Kerr Street neighbourhood, transforming the front entrance of the Trafalgar Park Community Centre into a vibrant and welcoming space.

Participants will:

• Learn the fundamentals of mural art, including design principles, colour theory, and painting techniques.
• Collaborate with an experienced artist who will mentor them throughout the process.
• Apply their skills to create a high-quality mural that embodies the community’s spirit and heritage.
• Gain volunteer hours (for youth participants). 
• Build their professional portfolios and expand their career development opportunities.

The final mural will serve as a lasting testament to the power of intergenerational collaboration, fostering community pride and engagement.

Community themes

The mural will incorporate key elements of the local neighbourhood:

• Trafalgar Park Community Centre: A hub for recreation and cultural programming, featuring unique facilities like its iconic wooden roof ice pad, fitness amenities, older adults centre and outdoor spaces that include courts, playground, pool and outdoor rink.
• Cultural and historical significance: Located on Treaty 14 and  Treaty 22 lands, the area holds deep ties to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Oakville’s historic development.
• Kerr Village: A vibrant business and cultural district rich in history, home to diverse residents, businesses, and services.
• Seniors services: Marking 50 years of community programming, with a focus on recreation, volunteerism, socialization, accessibility and support for older adults.
• Youth services: Through OYAC, a dynamic group of local volunteers ages 13 to 18, the project highlights the importance of empowering youth and amplifying their voices in the community.

The Intergenerational Mural Project must adhere to the following design and execution parameters to ensure it meets the community's needs and standards.

Design parameters

• The artwork must be an interior, 18 feet x 6 feet wall-based, painted mural on board designed specifically for the entrance of a public space.
• The mural must be appropriate in scale, executed with creativity, and use durable, high-quality materials.
• It should not obstruct or restrict visitors' movement through the community centre or compromise accessibility standards.
• The design must incorporate themes relevant to the local neighbourhood, reflecting the shared vision of the community.
• The mural must meet public safety standards and be created using methods that ensure it is safe and sustainable.

Collaborative requirements

• The project must involve selected youth artists (ages 13 to 18/Grades 9 to 12) and seniors (age 50 and older) in the planning, design, and creation phases. The Town of Oakville will coordinate the selection of the youth and senior participants (approximately eight to 12 participants).

Role of the artist

The artist leading the project will:

• Conduct three hands-on educational workshops with youth and seniors on three Saturdays in February 2025 (Feb 1, 8, 15) from 1 to 4 p.m. to collaboratively design the mural.
• Conduct one hands-on educational drop-in style workshop to the public on Family Day,  Monday, February 19, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Create and present two final mural design options to advisory groups for final selection and approval.
• Lead the youth and seniors in week-long painting sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily from March 10 through to 14, 2025 (March Break) to complete the mural.

Technical details

• The mural will be painted on boards in a multipurpose room at the community centre, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
• No ladders or lifts will be required for the painting process.
• The Town of Oakville will oversee the installation of the completed mural at the designated site.

This thoughtful approach ensures that the mural reflects the values of the community, adheres to safety and accessibility standards, and engages participants in a meaningful and creative way.

Artwork location

The primary location for the artwork will be sited in the upper wall area of the entrance of TPCC. Dimensions are 18 feet long x six feet high. 

The selected artist will engage and work with a group of youth artists aged 13 to 18 years/Grades 9 to 12 and seniors aged 50 and older to design, create, and paint the mural in February and March 2025 at QEPCCC. The artist will lead a free drop-in style public workshop during Family Day on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

• Public call to artists for expressions of interest opens: December 4, 2024
• Artist deadline for expressions of interest due 11:59 p.m. EST: January 5, 2025
• Selection committee meets to review artist applications and select artist. Award of project, selected artist enters into a contract with the Town of Oakville: January 2025
• Youth and senior artists are selected for the Intergenerational Artist Mural Project Team: January 2025
• Selected artist leads the youth and seniors artist team to design and plan two proposals for the mural through a series of three workshops held at TPCC: February 1, 8, 15, 2025
• Selected artist delivers a Family Day art workshop to the public at TPCC from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: February 17, 2025
• Selected artist presents two mural designs to the Youth and Seniors advisory committees. Approval of final mural design: February 24, 2025
• Selected artist leads the youth and seniors artist team to create and paint the final approved mural. A series of ongoing painting sessions with youth team led by the artist to be regularly scheduled during March Break at TPCC (approximately 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., lunch will be provided): March 10 to 14, 2025
• Selected artist completes the mural: March 15 to 31, 2025
• Installation of artwork on site by town staff: April 2025
• Public unveiling during National Youth Week: May 1 to 7, 2025 and a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Kerr Street Seniors membership during seniors month in June 2025.

The schedule above is provided as a guideline only and is subject to change. 

For more information contact public.art@oakville.ca

The successful artist will have a maximum budget of $10,000 (includes HST) Canadian dollars to create the artwork.* 

Installation costs and the purchase of the mural boards are covered by the town and are not included in this proposal.** 

Proposed budget:

• Artist fee (February design and March painting workshops, mural design, mural painting, additional fees) = $7,000
• Materials for February design and painting workshops = $150
• Materials for mural (paint and equipment) = $2,000
• Family Day public workshop artist fee (4 hours) = $550
• Materials for Family Day workshop = $300

*This fee includes (but is not limited to): 

• program delivery;
• the preparation and submission of the proposal;
• coordination and technical consultations including approvals or other expertise as required; 
• preparation of any information and/or documentation; 
• attendance at meetings; 
• programs; 
• site visits; 
• travel to the site and to meetings as required;
• artwork delivery and relevant materials;
• liability insurance; police check;
• **all fabrication costs and materials. 

Applicants will be reviewed based on the merit of their past work, professional qualifications, and experience. Applications are due on or before deadline: Sunday, January 5, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. EST Applications are to be submitted online and must include:

1. The completed online application.
2. Written descriptions including the artist’s experience with community-based art making, working with youth and seniors communities, and mural art projects.
3. Artist curriculum vitae and teaching resume that is three pages maximum.
4. Artist website, social media links, and/or maximum of 10 images of your artwork related to community based mural projects.
5. Image list.
6. Two references who have been directly involved with your artistic practice and/or past community-based art projects. 

For more information contact public.art@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville is the administrative lead for this project. The Town of Oakville, at its sole discretion, reserves the following rights to:

• Request clarification or additional information, as it deems necessary to evaluate submissions.
• Determine the suitability of the submission and capability of the prospective artist(s).
• Select the artist(s) that it deems most appropriate for the project.
• Choose to not recommend any application, proposal or finalist and to terminate or re-advertise any project.
• Issue public announcements regarding the competition.