Call for Artists: Arts Alive Public Art Program 2025

Reflect and Connect by William Frymire.

Arts Alive Annual Sculptural Exhibition – Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Arts Alive is Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture’s yearly public art program. This exhibition of sculpture is displayed for 10 months at outdoor sites in our municipality. The program is an expression of our district’s commitment to a flourishing arts environment for the economic, social and personal benefit of our entire community. It is also an important attraction for visitors and tourists.

The municipality installs the sculptures in a variety of outdoor locations around Oak Bay. The sculptures have been greatly appreciated for their artistic merit and have encouraged viewers to pause and reflect about living in and visiting this special seaside community. The exhibition has included realistic and abstract pieces, both kinetic and static. Sculptures have been made of a variety of materials including metal, stone, mixed media and mosaic and express each sculptor’s personal style and interpretation of the yearly theme.

The annual exhibition of sculpture is chosen by a jury. Selected sculptures are on temporary loan by each sculptor, sponsored by local business and community groups.

To learn more please visit oakbay.ca.

About Oak Bay

The municipality of Oak Bay is part of Greater Victoria and is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It lies in the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən people, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Surrounded by beaches and parkland, its scenery includes splendid views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea. This geologically fascinating area is also home to the unique and rare Garry Oak meadow ecosystem.

Our 18,000 residents have a deep attachment to our natural and built environment. The municipality is legendary for its fine domestic architecture, its picturesque, luxuriant gardens, and its parks. Its compact and charming village heart is the home of several art galleries enjoyed by local artists and art enthusiasts.

Birth of the World by Denis Kleine. Photo by Kevin Light.

Open | No Theme
9th Annual “Open” (No Theme) Juried Sculptural Exhibition

Artists are invited to produce and submit original work of their choice. The jury is interested in hearing artists answers the following questions:

• What inspires you and your artistic process at this time?
• What are the issues, trends or influences that are affecting your work?
• How do you relate to your work or artistic process?

Information to Artists

This is an excellent opportunity for both emerging and mid-career artists to showcase their work. Artists are invited to reflect on their arts practice, current or past.

Artist’s work will have exposure to thousands of residents and visitors in this high-profile program. The municipality, local media and Oak Bay Tourism will promote this show throughout the year. Related arts events like art walks, paint-ins, concerts, and celebrations will be organized, generating excitement and building community.

• Artists based in Western Canada are invited to apply (due to shipping/importing logistics of artwork, we cannot accept sculptures shipped from outside of the region at this time).
• Work will be displayed for approximately 1 year.
• Depending on community sponsorships, up to 10 works may be selected.
• Selected works will be installed in highly visible outdoor locations open to the public.

This year, only sculptural works will be selected for inclusion in the program.

Arts Alive 2024-2025 Key Dates

• January 27, 2025 ~ Application deadline – (9am Pacific Standard Time)
• February 28, 2025 ~ Successful applicants will be notified.
• May 5, 2025 ~ New artwork delivered to Oak Bay Public Works Yard.
• June 9, 2025 ~ Installation of 2025 Arts Alive artwork complete.
• July 17, 2024 (Tenative) ~ Arts Alive opening celebration and tour.
• April/May 2026 ~ De-Installation of 2025-2026 Arts Alive artwork complete.

Me and My Quiet Thoughts by Mizzonk.

Compensation

Successful submissions will be provided with an honorarium of $1,600 inclusive of travel and delivery/retrieval. Based on CARFAC group exhibition fees.

All artwork is available for public purchase.

A commission of 10% of the sale of any sculpture while on exhibition will go to the Arts Alive program to be used for the development of the program.

Selection Process

Artwork submitted is reviewed by a volunteer Arts Alive jury.

Jury Criteria

• Originality and artistic merit. (50%)
• Quality of previous work (mid-career artists) / quality of the application information, photographs/sketches (emerging artists) (30%)
• Open call Q&A – quality of artists’ response to questions posed by the jury. (20%)

Minimum Criteria

• Overall feasibility, appropriate size, practicality, durability.
• Appropriate for outdoor seaside environment, structural integrity, public safety, and level of maintenance required.
• Content must be appropriate for community members of all ages.
• All sculptures must securely fasten to bases provided

Shortlisted entries will be reviewed by municipal staff to ensure technical feasibility and public safety.

Sculpture Installation | Concrete Base:
View sculpture base guidelines

Submission Requirements

We invite your submission by completing the application form with all supporting documentation.

Applications can be made online or downloaded and emailed to apass@oakbay.ca. If emailing, place the artwork title in the subject line and attach application and supporting documents in one email.

Submission Deadline: January 27, 2025, 9am PST

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Andrea Pass, Arts and Culture Programmer
apass@oakbay.ca or 250-370-7908

Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture
1975 Bee Street
Victoria, BC V8R 5E6

Facebook: @OakBayPRC
Instagram @oakbay_prc

Accessibility:
Please direct accessibility and accommodation requests or questions prior to January 20 to: Andrea Pass, Arts and Culture Programmer, apass@oakbay.ca or 250-370-7908.

Oak Bay Recreation Centre is fully accessible. For more information, visit here.