Call for Expressions of Interest: Fire Station No. 2 Public Art Project, Saanich

Saanich Fire Station No. 2 Project Rendering, NW Elevation and grounds with adjacent transit plaza.

Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications
District of Saanich

Submission Deadline: August 28, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PDT
Award: $190,000 CAD + GST

The District of Saanich invites applications from professional artists or artist teams to create permanent public artwork for Fire Station No. 2, a new landmark public safety facility and training centre in the Royal Oak neighbourhood. Completion and installation of the artwork is expected to coincide with the facility’s completion in Winter/Spring 2026.

The artwork will be selected through a two-stage process by a Public Art Jury that includes artists/art professionals, community and project representatives. The process is guided by Saanich’s civic public art program.

Visit the project website for detailed information provided in the full Call to Artists.

Background Information

The District of Saanich is located on Southern Vancouver Island, within the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. It is the largest municipality in the Capital Region, and its balance of urban, rural/agricultural and natural areas has influenced its character and development.

Fire Station No. 2 is located at the heart of the Royal Oak neighbourhood, centrally located within Saanich at the intersection of two major roadways. The redeveloped site and facility will better serve Saanich and its diverse community as it continues to grow into the future. Showcasing architectural and landscape features as well as site-specific public art, it will enhance the Royal Oak community. The reimagined site provides an adjacent small public plaza and transit hub. To maximize visibility and engagement with visitors, pedestrians, and commuters, the artwork will be located outdoors in a prominent location.

The full Call to Artists on the project website provides additional context, site information, artwork locations and parameters, site maps and renderings, and outlines some suggested potential themes for consideration: Community First: Saanich Fire and First Responders; Making Connections: Trails and Transitions; Caring for the Land, the People, and the Future; Environment for Change.

Site plan with potential artwork location(s)

Selection Process

The opportunity is open to professional British Columbia artists or artist teams who are either: residents of British Columbia, or from British Columbia with ongoing connections to the province. First Nations and Indigenous artists, as well as artists who identify with equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply.

There are two stages in the selection process:

• Stage 1: Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications (current stage)
• Stage 2: Request for Proposals (shortlisted artists only)

In Stage 1, artists/artist teams submit an application that outlines their interest and suitability for the project and their professional experience and qualifications. The Jury will review submissions using established criteria and shortlist up to five (5) artists/teams.

In Stage 2, shortlisted artists develop proposals and present them to the Jury (virtual presentation options will be available). An honorarium is provided to artists completing proposals. The Jury will evaluate proposals and presentation interviews consulting established criteria and recommend to the District of Saanich an artist/artist team for the commission.

Budget

The total budget available is $190,000 CAD + GST, inclusive of all costs associated with the artwork. No further compensation will be made to the artist. Up to five (5) artists/artist teams will be shortlisted and receive a $1900 CAD honorarium for completing detailed Stage 2 proposals.

How to Apply

• Review the full “Call to Artists: Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications” found on the website. It provides information on the project, process, application requirements and instructions.
• Following the instructions provided, submit your application and required support materials using the online application form.

Submission Deadline: August 28, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PDT

An online information session for the project will take place on Wednesday, August 7 (register online via the website).

Visit the Fire Station No. 2 Public Art Project website for more information about this opportunity and to apply.

Contact:
Brenda Weatherston, Public Art Coordinator
Community Services Division, Parks Recreation and Community Services
t. 250-475-5557
e. brenda.weatherston@saanich.ca

Facebook @saanichprcs | @Saanich.BC
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Twitter @saanich | @SaanichParksRec

Territorial Acknowledgement:
The District of Saanich lies within the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples represented today as Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, represented today by the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. The First Peoples have been here since time immemorial and their history in this area is long and rich.