Call for Artists: Youth Mural Project 2025/2026 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, Oakville

Youth painting mural at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2024.

Call for Artists: Youth Centre Mural Project

Deadline: May 25, 2025, by 11:59pm EDT
Venue: Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, Town of Oakville
Total Project Fee: $6000 (includes HST)
Apply online | Learn more about the project

The Town of Oakville invites artists to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to mentor Oakville youth volunteers as they create an interior large-scale temporary public art mural for the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre (IRCC). This call is open to professional Canadian artists living within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area community (GHTA). Artists with demonstrated experience working with youth, and connections to Oakville will be given priority. The selected artist will be required to travel to Oakville, Ontario. Artists must be 18 years of age and older. Town of Oakville employees are not eligible to apply.

The Youth Mural Project is an interactive and collaborative project designed for youth interested in exploring and developing their creativity while making a meaningful impact in their community. In collaboration with the Oakville Youth Action Committee (OYAC), this project will bring together youth participants aged 13 – 18 years/grades 9 – 12, from the community with a local professional artist with an interest in inspiring and supporting youth. They will collaboratively create a large-scale mural to be displayed in the corridor at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, which reflects their shared vision and values, allowing them to shape their own space and bring it to life.

An artwork proposal is not required at this time.

Images (left to right): Artist Julia YH painting mural at Glen Abbey Community Centre, 2024. Youth painting mural with artist Julia YH at Glen Abbey Community Centre, 2024.

All applicants will be reviewed on the basis of the merit of past work, professional qualifications and experience with community-based art making. Shortlisted artists will meet with town staff. The selected artist will then enter a contract with the Town of Oakville for the creation of the mural. The successful artist will have a maximum budget of $6,000 to create the artwork.

The final artwork will be a wall-based mural painted directly on a corridor wall at ground level, with an approximate size ranging from 128 square feet up to 160 square feet. The selected artist will engage and work with a group of selected youth aged 13 – 18 years/grades 9 – 12, to design, the mural during the fall 2025 program season and then to paint the mural during winter 2026 program season. The first public workshop will occur during Culture Days Festival, a national celebration of arts and culture and the final installed mural will be unveiled during National Youth Week May 1-7, 2026.

Proposals will be assessed based on artistic merit and demonstrated capacity to work with youth to develop and complete the project.

Iroquois Ridge Community Centre wall

The Town of Oakville strives to offer youth-friendly recreation and culture services that are accessible, inclusive and safe. Engaging local youth in meaningful recreation experiences plays a crucial role in positive youth development and provides opportunities for asset-building. Through participation and volunteerism, our mission is to empower youth and amplify their voice, offering an opportunity to influence service delivery and foster a positive image for young people in our community.

The Oakville Youth Action Committee engages youth and provides opportunities for them to have a voice in our community. OYAC is a dynamic group of local volunteers ages 13 to 19 with a mission to empower their peers and help shape the future of our town.

Visit Youth Services and Arts and Culture for details about town programs and opportunities.

For more information contact: public.art@oakville.ca

Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
1051 Glenashton Drive
Oakville, ON L6H 6Z4