Call to Indigenous Artists: Public Art Banner Project in Markham Village

Markham Village Music Festival

Anishinaabe Grandmother Kim Wheatley storytelling at the 47th edition of the Markham Village Music Festival

Call to Indigenous Artists – Request for Proposals
Temporary Public Art Banners

Submission Deadline: October 21, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

Project Opportunity

The Markham Village Music Festival (The Festival) is thrilled to invite Indigenous artists to submit concept proposals to create original artwork for banners. The commissioned artist(s) will be responsible for creating four (4) original designs that will be fabricated into banners and displayed on street light poles in various locations throughout Markham Village in the City of Markham. The Festival will be responsible for all fabrication and installation.

Eligibility

The call is open to all individual Indigenous artists (emerging to established and re-emerging), Indigenous artist teams or Indigenous artist collectives.

Background

Established in 1978, the Markham Village Music Festival is the largest free outdoor music festival in York Region. Held annually on the second weekend of June, the Festival celebrates music, performing arts, and diversity, while upholding values of reconciliation, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This year’s 47th edition featured stirring performances by JUNO Award-winning headliner Tom Wilson, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, and captivating storytelling by Anishinaabe Grandmother Kim Wheatley. Their stories sparked curiosity and conversations about Indigenous histories and cultures.

In furtherance of this dialogue and in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Festival will host an Indigenous Cultural Gathering on October 5th at the Main St Markham Farmers’ Market. Recognizing that the Festival coincides with National Indigenous History Month, we are excited to commission a temporary public art project featuring banners to be displayed on light poles at various locations throughout Markham Village. This initiative aims to continue celebrating and acknowledging Indigenous cultures within our community.

Considerations for the Artwork

The temporary public art project will be located in Markham Village, on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples who have long demonstrated a commitment to the stewardship of the land. We respectfully acknowledge the communities from the North, West, South, and East directions, including the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples.

Artist Responsibilities

The Festival will work directly with a contractor to fabricate the banner and install the banners. The commissioned artist(s) will be expected to:

• Create and submit high-resolution files of 4 (four) art designs
• Write a brief statement for each art design

Artwork Theme

The art will reflect and celebrate the strength, resilience, and culture of Indigenous peoples.

Location Details

Banners will be installed on light poles at various locations throughout the historic Markham Village within the City of Markham. The first location on Main Street, just south of Hwy 7, is situated near the site of an Indigenous community that thrived thousands of years ago.

First location of where Indigenous art-commissioned banners will be displayed on light poles.

Technical Requirements

This RFP asks artists to propose concepts, not finished works. The commissioned artist(s) will work with the Project Consultant to confirm their final artwork meets all technical specifications. For the proposal development, the following are the banner artwork specifications:

• Artwork must fit banner dimensions of 28″ width and 76″ height;
• Artwork will be printed on both sides of the banner;
• Artwork should be colourful, bold and visible from a distance;
• High resolution PDF

* Artwork must not contain content in breach of any intellectual property, trademarks, brands, or images of vulgar, offensive or illegal activity.

Artist Fee

The commissioned artist(s) will receive $4,400 + HST Canadian Dollars*. The Festival is responsible for the fabrication and installation.

* This fee includes (but is not limited to): 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 and artwork delivery and relevant materials.

Anticipated Schedule

It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general timeline dates, as highlighted below:

• Submission Deadline: October 18, 2024, 11:59pm ET
• Jury Selection Period: October 21 – 25, 2024
• Artist Notification & Contract Execution: October 28, 2024
• Artwork Completion: November 22, 2024, 4:00pm ET
• Banner Artwork Files Due to Fabricator: November 25, 2024
• Fabrication & Installation by Contractor(s): November 25 – December 9, 2024

*Schedule is subject to change

Selection Process

A selection jury comprised of arts and culture professionals, an Indigenous community member, and/or members of the project team will score proposals against an evaluation matrix. The scoring matrix emphasizes a proposal’s artistic excellence, originality, and demonstrated ability to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements within the timeline and budget.

The Festival reserves the right to select and retain the artist deemed most appropriate for the project at its sole discretion.

Submission Requirements

A complete submission package includes the following details in one PDF document:

1. Artist Statement: describe the proposed artwork concept, cultural significance, and how it connects to the theme and your interest in this project. You can submit a written document (2 page maximum) or a recorded video (an MP4 file, max 20MB).

2. A Concept Sketch or Digital Rendering: that illustrates the proposed artwork. This should propose a concept, not a finished product, and should show the jury your style and the direction you’d like to take this. Artist(s) will retain copyright over their proposals.

3. Artist’s Portfolio or Samples of Past Work (up to 10 images of past work): highlight artwork that showcases your style, approach and interests

4. Artist Biography (Maximum 500 words): highlight your background, artistic journey, and connection to Indigenous communities.

5. PDF Document Requirements: Please ensure that the filename of your submission package follows the the format: Your Last Name_RFP: Art Banner. If the file size exceeds 20 MB, artists are asked to use an external file share program.

Upload Your Submission Package Here

Accessibility

Please notify Mary Pan, Consultant at 647-868-6989 or marypan.co@gmail.com of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes.

Reserved Rights of the Markham Village Music Festival

The Festival, at its sole discretion, may request clarifications or request additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The Festival retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive and if the prospective Artist or Artist Team is capable of performing the work. The Festival reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The Festival reserves the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.

Publication of Competition Information

The Festival shall have the exclusive right to issue all public announcements regarding the competition ensure your equal participation.

Additional Information:

For information or questions regarding this Request for Proposals, please contact: Mary Pan, Consultant, Markham Village Festival Corporation, marypan.co@gmail.com