Call for Curators: ArtworxTO 2021, Community Cultural Hubs

Mark Stoddardt, ReConnectedSTC, 2019

ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021
Call for Curators: Community Cultural Hubs

Project Commencement: November 2, 2020
Curator Fee: $25,000.00 CDN + HST
Application Deadline: October 19, 2020

ArtworxTO is currently seeking curatorial proposals for ArtworxTO 2021, Community Cultural Hubs. Four (4) Curators will be contracted. Each Curator will be responsible for conceiving and delivering an 11 month-long program at one of four hubs across the city. A primary goal within this ArtworxTO program, both for artists and audiences, is to centre voices that have been traditionally marginalized in public art. This is an ideal opportunity to foreground the voices of BIPOC artists, curators, and creators of all kinds.

The full ArtworxTO Framework is available online here.

Scope of Work
Curatorial concepts for individual Community Cultural Hubs, will be generated through this open call for Curators, and developed and refined by the selected Curators in consultation with the ArtworxTO team. The overall direction for Hubs is guided by the ArtworxTO Team, supporting the central pillars of Toronto’s new 10-year Public Art Strategy (2020-2030): “Creativity and Community – Everywhere”.

The program (and its related exhibitions, installations and events) will run from approximately January 30, 2021 to December 18, 2021.

The selected Curators will receive a Curator’s Fee of $25,000.00 CDN + HST and will have a minimum programming/production budget of $150,000.00 CDN to implement their program.

Each Hub Curator will be responsible for:

• Artists and Art Installations in a local Community Hub with support from City of Toronto production staff
• Programming and Events – relevant to the exhibition, local neighborhood and/or hub sponsor
• Additional programming (talks, performances, workshops, screenings, live painting, etc.) will take place – in partnership and consultation with Hub community partners and sponsors
• A short curatorial text as well as partake in discussions and panels
• Collaborate with all related partners to develop and Educational Tool-Kit for the exhibition and related programs

Programming and Production support will be provided by the City of Toronto.

Tannis Nielsen, Elder/Honour Wall, 2019

The Hubs:
Community Cultural Hubs will be a series of destination venues located within publicly accessible spaces spread across the city during Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021.

Hubs will be located in at least 4 areas across the city of Toronto. We encourage local applicants grounded in these areas of the city and ask that applicants indicate clearly to which area they are connected.

Community Cultural Hub sites currently under consideration:

• North York
• Etobicoke
• Scarborough
• Downtown
• Other areas will be added, should budget allow

The Hubs will form the central nervous system of ArtworxTO and serve to:

• Feature dynamic art installations, events, and programming to engage local community artists and audiences, plus, promote cultural events in the immediate area and citywide.
• Provide continually updated information about art programs, activities, and exhibitions in the hub(s) and throughout the city.

Qualifications:

• This Curatorial role is designed as an opportunity for emerging curators; individuals will have studied or worked in the curatorial realm with some relevant project work experience.
• This is considered an ideal opportunity to foreground the voices of BIPOC curators.
• Applicants will have knowledge and experience in contemporary visual art practices with a focus on Canada and Toronto.
• Ideal candidates will have deep roots in Toronto and specifically one of the four local communities.
• It is essential that applicants demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively in program development, as well as independently.
• Ability to be available for a dynamic programming schedule at the hub throughout the year.

Application Requirements:

• Exhibition proposal
• Concept considerations
• Programming proposal
• Workplan
• Anticipated Audience Experience
• CV (2 pages) with a cover letter with your experience and interest
• 2 Letters of reference
• Support Materials – Please submit previous curatorial work. You may submit up to 10 items of support material
• Title all support materials with “You name_ Exhibition Title_jpeg1.pdf” and have them correspond with your materials list.
• List of support materials- with content descriptions
• Please submit 1-2 writing samples if existing

All application elements should consider how their proposed exhibition will reflect the themes of “Creativity and Community – Everywhere” and ArtworxTO’s interest in the unique role that public art plays in our city.

The ArtworxTO Peer Review Panel will assess:

• Artistic merit of Exhibition and Programming proposal and supporting material
• Strong aesthetic, conceptual elements, demonstration of artistic vision, innovation, interpretation and integration of contemporary art in the specific context of the curatorial thesis, the ArtworxTO and the Community Cultural Hub model.
• Applicant’s demonstrated success in previous projects as a professional curator or equivalent
• The feasibility of the project
• A previously demonstrated ability, or appropriate project plan to execute a project of this scope and to work collaboratively with an existing project team

Tadashi Kawamata, Garden Tower, 2013

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.

Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

Visit toronto.ca/artworxto for a complete application outline plus submission requirements and instructions.

For more information:
Email artworxto@toronto.ca or Call 311 for additional questions.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via #ArtworxTO.
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, East Tower, 8th Floor, M5H 2N2

About the City of Toronto
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow @cityoftoronto on Twitter, @cityofto on Instagram and @cityofto on Facebook.