Call for Submissions: Langs Drive Public Art Installation, Region of Waterloo

Concept rendering of future redevelopment at 589 Langs Drive, Cambridge, ON. The artwork location is indicated in red between the building and the sidewalk.

Call for Artists: Langs Drive Public Art Installation
Region of Waterloo

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025

The Region of Waterloo invites artist teams to submit proposals for a permanent public art installation in front of the future Langs Drive housing redevelopment in Cambridge, Ontario. The redevelopment will include nearly 100 new affordable housing units, focusing on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Construction begins Fall 2024, with expected completion by early 2027.

We’re seeking proposals from artist teams—one emerging artist and one more experienced artist. At least one artist from the team should identify as a member of the Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC) community. The artwork will be a permanent installation in front of the future Langs Drive building, across from William G. Davis Public School and near a Teen and Youth Centre. This highly visible location will receive significant pedestrian traffic and community interaction.

The artwork should celebrate the Langs Drive community by exploring its rich history, identity, and culture, and reflect the themes of home and belonging.

Location Specifications

The available artwork space measures 16 m long x 2 m wide and can accommodate a variety of installation/mounting methods for a free-standing artwork. The area will be equipped with 15amp, 120volt, single phase connection for power and a hard-wired internet connection.

Eligibility

The Region of Waterloo is committed to supporting a community that is equitable and inclusive. This call is seeking to bring together an emerging artist and a more established artist to collaborate on the proposed artwork. Ideally, the emerging artist will drive the vision for the project, while the mentor will help to manifest their design. At least one applicant from the team must be from a BIPOC community.

Emerging artists: Those with 3–8 years of professional experience.
Mid-career or established artists: Those with at least 8 years of professional experience and a significant portfolio of work.

Professional experience is defined as paid opportunities where a fee or sale was obtained.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is key to residents feeling connected to the artwork. Artists must outline how they plan to engage with Langs Drive area residents in the design or creation process. Staff support is available to assist with these connections.

Compensation

The budget for this commission is $100,000 + HST. This budget is inclusive of artist fees, materials, production costs, storage, art transportation, insurance, travel and other incidental expenses. Artists invited to participate in second-stage proposals will be compensated for a more detailed design.

Two-Stage Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee that may consist of members of the Region of Waterloo Public Art Advisory Committee, other local arts professionals, individuals connected to the Langs Drive community, and municipal Councillors. Regional staff will be available during the selection process to advise on feasibility.

Stage One submissions must include:

• A letter of intent (max 2 pages) addressing the following details:
  ◦  Why are you interested in this project?
  ◦  How does your proposal respond to the theme of home and what it means to belong?
  ◦  How will you engage the Langs Drive community?
  ◦  How will the mentorship and collaboration function?
• Artist CV for each team member (max 3 pages each)
• Biographies (max 250 words each): Please share your connection to the BIPOC community, if applicable.
• Portfolio: Up to 10 images of past work per artist (title, medium, year).
• Preliminary concept: A sketch with approximate dimensions and materials (this does not need to be a polished concept drawing)
• Accessibility Plan: How will your artwork be physically and visually accessible?
• References: A letter for each artist demonstrating collaboration experience (doesn’t need to be art-related)

First Stage Evaluation Criteria

• Artistic Merit: Quality and creativity of previous work (25%).
• Relevance: Connection to the theme (25%).
• Community Engagement: Strength of engagement plan (25%).
• Feasibility: Practicality of concept and longevity/durability of the piece (25%).
• Preference will be given to applicants with ties to Waterloo Region.

How to Submit

Interested applicants can review the full submission guidelines and apply using an online application form at the Region of Waterloo Public Art website.

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025

For additional information or questions, please contact:
culturalservices@regionofwaterloo.ca

Regional Municipality of Waterloo
150 Frederick Street
Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3
www.regionofwaterloo.ca
519-575-4400

Facebook @RegionWaterloo
Instagram @regionofwaterloo
Twitter @RegionWaterloo

Accessibility:
The Region of Waterloo administrative headquarters is fully accessible. For more information, call 519-575-4400.

Image Description:
1. A digital architectural drawing of a seven-storey residential building surrounded by curb lawns and mature trees. A narrow red rectangle in front of the building denotes the footprint of the future art location.