Call for Expressions of Interest: Indigenous Language and Culture Public Art Project, City of Oshawa

Photograph of Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park.

Call for Expressions of Interest: Indigenous Writers to Develop a Language and Culture Public Art Project

Submission Deadline: November 5, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Project Overview

The City of Oshawa is excited to launch an open two-stage call for Expressions of Interest for an Indigenous language and culture public art project to be installed in Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park, located at 169 Harbour Rd, Oshawa, adjacent to Lakeview Park.

This project will be an impactful, long-term installation that spotlights an Indigenous voice in a public space. The installation will be integrated into Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park in a visual way that enhances the meditative and contemplative atmosphere of the park design. This two-stage competition is open to Indigenous creative writers, poets, artists, Knowledge Holders or storytellers connected to or from the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations. The selected writer will be commissioned to develop a text-based artwork that can be installed in Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park near the Garden of Human Rights.

Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park is located at Simcoe St. and Harbour Rd. and is the City of Oshawa’s newest addition to the waterfront parks system. The waterfront trail runs through the park and expands upon Larry Ladd Harbour Trail, and a pedestrian bridge over the Oshawa Creek links the parkland on both sides of the watercourse.

The design of the park encourages gathering with an amphitheatre, stage and seating; a network of concrete and asphalt pathways; green spaces; and a Garden of Human Rights.

The Garden of Human Rights is a prominent feature at the park. It features 13 garden beds representing the 13 prohibited grounds of discrimination within the Canadian Human Rights Act. A variety of seating in the garden makes this a unique place for quiet reflection and contemplation.

The City is currently exploring two (2) design installation options. The shortlisted writers will be asked to provide input on which installation approach they would like to use as part of the Stage 2 process. Additionally, the City is open to the writer proposing an alternate installation method during Stage 2. The current installation approaches being considered are:

• interlocking brick at grade level, featuring engraved stone elements, or
• engraved boulders positioned along the edges of the pathways.

The final installation will be completed by a contractor hired by the City following the City’s Purchasing By-Law. Please note, the budget for a contractor is a separate City expense and does not come from the writer’s fee.

Eligibility

This call is open to Indigenous creative writers, poets, artists, Knowledge Holders or storytellers connected to or from the Williams Treaty First Nations, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations to develop text to be incorporated in the installation at Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park.

The lead applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Compensation

• Shortlisted writers will be paid a fee of $750.
• The selected writer’s fee is: $12,000.

Selection Process

This is a two-stage competition:

• A Public Art Jury comprised of Indigenous community members from the seven First Nations who are signatories to the Williams Treaties will review and score Stage 1 applications received to identify a shortlist of writers for Stage 2;
• The shortlisted writers will meet with the Public Art Jury to discuss this project and their initial ideas, including design options for installation; and
• Following these meetings, the Public Art Jury will recommend one applicant to the City to create the text for this project.

Stage 1: Expressions of Interest

The Public Art Jury will review all submissions and identify a shortlist of three writers who will proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 1 applications will be evaluated based on following criteria:

• Artistic excellence of previous work (35 points);
• Demonstrated commitment to sharing Indigenous culture and language through CV or resume/biography/past work (65 points); and
• Submission is complete (Yes/No).

Stage 2: Meeting with the Public Art Jury

The three shortlisted writers will be invited to a meeting with the Public Art Jury to discuss their vision and intention for this project, including the design options for installation. In the event a shortlisted writer is proposing an alternative option, a visual design will need to be provided during Stage 2. Accommodations can be made if a shortlisted writer requires the inclusion of a pre-recorded audio/video component as part of their submission for this stage. A detailed Terms of Reference will be provided to each shortlisted writer to provide more details on the project scope.

Submission Requirements

All submissions to Stage 1 of this competition must include the following:

• Biography/Artist statement (maximum one page);
• CV or resume;
• Examples of previous work (maximum five examples) that demonstrate artistic excellence in their practice; and
• A letter (maximum one page) describing how they are connected to the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations; as well as an example of past work that has taken place within the community.

How to Submit

Visit www.oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls for the complete competition details and how to apply.

Submission Deadline: November 5, 2026, 11:59pm ET

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Culture Counts
culturecounts@oshawa.ca | 905-436-3311

City of Oshawa
50 Centre Street South
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7
www.oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls
culturecounts@oshawa.ca
905-436-3311

Accessibility:
If you have questions about applying, or require accommodations to participate in this process, please contact culturecounts@oshawa.ca.