Request for Proposals: Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks, City of Pickering

Call to Artists – Request for Proposals (RFP)
Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks

Deadline: February 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm EST

Artist Opportunity

The City of Pickering invites artists to respond to this Call to Artists – Request for Proposals by submitting digital artwork proposals for two (2) unique crosswalk locations using the theme “Lest We Forget” that will honour our Veterans.

The chosen “Lest We Forget” crosswalk artist designs will be displayed on a roadway near Esplanade Park in our City Centre, with a second crosswalk to be installed in Claremont adjacent to the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch. This call is open to digital artists, teams, and collectives, with preference given to local artists. The final application of the design onto the road surfaces will be completed by a separate City Contractor.

One (1) artist will be selected to carry out the final design of the two (2) unique crosswalk locations. The selected artist may also be required to attend a community consultation to refine their initial submission. This consultation will include representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion #606, and Royal Canadian Legion #483, as well as City staff. The final designs may also require modification to accommodate installation onto road surface using templates/stencils manufactured by the contractor. One (1) artist selected will be awarded $4,000 plus HST for submission of two unique designs.

A jury of arts professionals, Cultural Advisory Committee members, City staff, and Royal Canadian Legion representatives will review the submissions.

Site Context

One design (Claremont) will be displayed in the hamlet of Claremont, on Old Brock Road and Acorn Lane (south leg of intersection). The second design (City Centre) will be displayed near Esplanade Park at the intersection of Esplanade South and Valley Farm Road (north leg of intersection).

Project Brief

These temporary public art pieces will be another way residents can reflect, honour and remember our fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day, and all year long. Artists are encouraged to capture the spirit of Remembrance Day and honoring veterans in both designs. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion will be part of the selection process. The City of Pickering will be seeking to purchase the work and assume full ownership. The successful work will act as a marker and further commemorate our fallen soldiers throughout the year.

Budget

The final artist will be paid $4,000 CAD plus HST (maximum) for two unique digital artwork files. This is the total amount available for the creation of the two digital artworks. The budget above is for the artist fee and includes up to 2 rounds of revisions, travel to meetings and the site, community consultation, and all applicable taxes. The City of Pickering is responsible for the final installation of the artwork onto the road surface.

Anticipated Schedule

It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general timeline dates. Schedule is subject to change:

• February 24, 2025 – Submissions Due
• Week of March 5, 2025 – Selected Artist Notified
• March/April 2025 – Design Review and Revisions
• May/June 2025 – Final Design Endorsement
• September 2025 – Artwork Installed by City Contractor
• October 2025 – Artwork Unveiling

Technical Specifications

Design Considerations

1. This call is primarily targeting new site-specific work suitable for display outdoor all-seasons.
2. Both designs should be inspired by and include “Lest We Forget” text and image(s) of Remembrance that are simplified vector linear artwork. Each site has additional design elements brought forward by the individual Legion Branches to consider in your proposal, but not limited to:
   ◦  City Centre: White background with multiple soldiers, including female soldiers and/or nurse figures, white background.
   ◦  Claremont: Clean and simple design using a red background, white text and minimal, but impactful image(s).
3. The Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has registered the trademark of the Poppy image to safeguard the Poppy insignia as a symbol of Remembrance. As such, image(s) of the poppy cannot be used in the designs.
4. Crosswalk dimensions – approximately 3.3 meters tall x 12.8 meters wide. Proposed Designs should be within or near this scale.
5. White or Yellow boarder across top and bottom – 10 cm is the standard for crosswalks.
6. The work is to be inclusive, engaging and create a feeling of remembrance and honoring our fallen soldiers.
7. Final Digital Artwork will be professionally reproduced onto preformed thermoplastics and installed onto road surface by a City of Pickering Contractor.
8. The City of Pickering may choose to display images of the digital artwork for marketing and promotion purposes.
9. High resolution PDF, Adobe Illustrator .ai files, or .eps files are required for production.

Selection Process

A public art jury comprised of practicing arts professionals, Cultural Advisory Committee Members, City staff and Royal Canadian Legion representatives will be established for the evaluation of the proposals. This is a one-stage competition. One (1) artist will be awarded the commission for the two unique designs.

Submission Requirements

Artists are invited to respond to this RFP Call by submitting a single pdf document (max size 20 MB) including:

• Artist statement: describe your interest in this project and share your experience in the field. You can submit a written document (1-page max).
• Concepts of the two unique crosswalk designs based on the Design Considerations mentioned in this call. These should be rough sketches of the designs you plan to submit should awarded the opportunity.
• Portfolio of past work: Examples of relevant work. You may include multiple images per project on 1 page of a maximum to 10 projects (10-pages). Add tittle, year, scope, budget and a short description.
• References: A list of at least two professional references familiar with your work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Artists are to review the full Call to Artist (RFP) at pickering.ca before submitting.

Submissions must be sent to jstamant@pickering.ca with subject line: Call to Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks – (Artist Preferred Name)

Deadline: February 24, 2025, at 4 pm EST

For any additional information or questions please contact:
Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services
905.420.4660 ext. 3607 | jstamant@pickering.ca

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