Call for Expressions of Interest: Public Art Opportunities at Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, Surrey

Rendering of future Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Plaza

Call for Submissions: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Expansion – Plaza Artwork

Submission Deadline: October, 20, 2025, 11:59pm PT

The City of Surrey invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from professional artists or artist teams to create a free-standing artwork for the entry plaza of the future Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Expansion.

An iconic artwork is envisioned for the plaza that welcomes residents to the facility and marks the plaza as a communal gathering place. As the neighbourhood densifies, free and open public space will grow in importance for residents. Surrey City Centre is already one of the most diverse areas of the lower mainland and that diversity will increase as people move to Surrey from across the province, the country and the world. It is important that all residents, new and old, feel welcome at the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre.

Project Requirements

Technical Considerations:

• The artwork must be free standing.
• The artwork will sit in a triangular planter measuring 12.25m x 12.95m x 2.7m.
• The artwork foundation will be approximately 30cm below grade level.
• The planter will be filled with soil.
• There may be opportunity for the artist to select plants in collaboration with the landscape architect and/or parks operations team to protect and complement the artwork.
• The artwork must not represent a climbing risk.

Eligibility

• This call is open to all professional artists and artist teams.
• Applicants must demonstrate creative expertise and technical skills to manage a project of this scale from concept development to installation.
• Applicants must have the skills to liaise and coordinate with project contractors and municipal staff.

Compensation

• The budget for the selected artwork is $250,000
• This is inclusive of all costs including:
  ◦ Artist fees
  ◦ Design
  ◦ Materials
  ◦ Insurance
  ◦ Engineering expenses
  ◦ Fabrication
  ◦ Delivery & installation
  ◦ Travel and taxes

Selection Process

• Proposals will be shortlisted by a selection panel consisting of community members and art professionals.
• The selection process will occur in two phases.

Phase 1: Expressions of Interest

• Eligible artists will submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
• The selection panel will review all eligible submissions and short-list up to 5 to 7 artists for the next phase.

Phase 2: Concept Development

• Short-listed artists will be given a project orientation.
• Each short-listed artist or team will be given an honorarium of $2,000 to further develop their concept proposal.
• Proposals will be presented to the selection panel.
• The selection panel will recommend the final artwork for presentation to the advisory committee for public art.

Submission Requirements

Your Expression of Interest should contain the following information:

• Contact Details: Include your name, address, email, and phone number.
• Letter of Intent (max 300 words): Describe your proposed concept and why it is suitable for this site.
• Artist Statement (max 300 words): Share your current artistic interests and creative process.
• Resume/CV: A one-page resume describing your academic, artistic, professional and other relevant experience.
  * group applications should submit one resume for each group member.
• Portfolio: Up to 10 images of previous work.
  * please include title, date, description (including location, if applicable), and materials.
• 2x Slides (8.5 x 11 landscape orientation):
  Slide One – Provide a summary of your concept (max 200 words)
  Slide Two – Share an excerpt from your portfolio (3-5 images)
• To Submit: Combine all pages into a single PDF document (10mb max).

How to Submit

Please submit an Expression of Interest to Cris Mora at:
Email: publicart@surrey.ca
Subject line: Chuck Bailey Plaza – (Your Name)

Submission Deadline: October, 20, 2025

For additional information or questions, please contact:
publicart@surrey.ca

Rendering of future Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Community Living Room

Call for Submissions: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Expansion – Community Living Room Artwork

Submission Deadline: October, 20, 2025, 11:59pm PT

The City of Surrey invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from professional artists or artist teams to create a suspended artwork for the interior of the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Expansion.

An artwork is envisioned that is suspended in the lightwell to create a welcoming atmosphere while drawing the natural light down to animate the Community Living Room. The artwork will also be visible through viewing windows on the second floor.

Project Requirements

Technical Considerations:

• The lightwell is in the Community Living Room near the reception desk and control gates.
• The lightwell extends upwards to the roof above through the fitness area on the second floor.
• The artwork will be visible through viewing windows on the second floor and from the ground floor.
• The safe area for the artwork to hang is 2m x 6.5m x 8m (W x L x H).
• Anchors will be embedded in the structural beams that can bear a weight of 1000 kg.
• The artwork will need to be seismically secured.
• Artwork support structure to be designed and engineered by a BC registered engineer.

Eligibility

• This call is open to all professional artists and artist teams.
• Applicants must demonstrate creative expertise and technical skills to manage a project of this scale from concept development to installation.
• Applicants must have the skills to liaise and coordinate with project contractors and municipal staff.

Compensation

• The budget for the selected artwork is $125,000
• This is inclusive of all costs including:
  ◦ Artist fees
  ◦ Design
  ◦ Materials
  ◦ Insurance
  ◦ Engineering expenses
  ◦ Fabrication
  ◦ Delivery & installation
  ◦ Travel and taxes

Selection Process

• Proposals will be shortlisted by a selection panel consisting of community members and art professionals.
• The selection process will occur in two phases.

Phase 1: Expressions of Interest

• Eligible artists will submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
• The selection panel will review all eligible submissions and short-list up to 5 to 7 artists for the next phase.

Phase 2: Concept Development

• Short-listed artists will be given a project orientation.
• Each short-listed artist or team will be given an honorarium of $2,000 to further develop their concept proposal.
• Proposals will be presented to the selection panel.
• The selection panel will recommend the final artwork for presentation to the advisory committee for public art.

Submission Requirements

Your Expression of Interest should contain the following information:

• Contact Details: Include your name, address, email, and phone number.
• Letter of Intent (max 300 words): Describe your proposed concept and why it is suitable for this site.
• Artist Statement (max 300 words): Share your current artistic interests and creative process.
• Resume/CV: A one-page resume describing your academic, artistic, professional and other relevant experience.
  * group applications should submit one resume for each group member.
• Portfolio: Up to 10 images of previous work.
  * please include title, date, description (including location, if applicable), and materials.
• 2x Slides (8.5 x 11 landscape orientation):
  Slide One – Provide a summary of your concept (max 200 words)
  Slide Two – Share an excerpt from your portfolio (3-5 images)
• To Submit: Combine all pages into a single PDF document (10mb max).

How to Submit

Please submit an Expression of Interest to Cris Mora at:
Email: publicart@surrey.ca
Subject line: Chuck Bailey Plaza – (Your Name)

Submission Deadline: October, 20, 2025

For additional information or questions, please contact:
publicart@surrey.ca

City of Surrey
13450-104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3T 1V8
Canada
www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/public-art
publicart@surrey.ca