Call for Expressions of Interest: Kelowna Airport (YLW) Landside Concourse Public Art

Rendering of YLW ATB Expansion entrance, courtesy of omb architects + designers

Call to Artists: Kelowna Airport (YLW) Landside Concourse Artwork

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025, 2:00pm PT

The City of Kelowna is seeking to commission a new, permanent, site-specific sculptural artwork for the new Airport Terminal Building (ATB) Expansion at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). This Expression of Interest (EOI) represents the first stage in a two-stage artist selection process to shortlist professional artists or artist teams for the commission.

The artwork is envisioned as a suspended installation from the mass timber ceiling in the landside concourse on the west side of the ATB expansion. This highly visible location, adjacent to the airport’s main entrance, will be one of the first spaces experienced by travelers arriving in or departing from Kelowna.

The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for the full scope of the project—from concept development through to fabrication and on-site installation. Artists are encouraged to carefully review the full EOI for detailed information about the project, site, and selection process.

The City of Kelowna acknowledges that our community is located on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan people.

Information Session

An Information Session will be held online for interested artists to learn more about the project and to ask questions. Interested artists may join the online information session via zoom, Thursday, September 18 at 4:00pm PT.

Project Requirements

For complete details, please read the full Call for Artists.

View of Landside Concourse (looking north-west), under construction, May 2025, courtesy of Aartplace

Eligibility

This two-stage public art call is open to all local and national professional artists and artist-led teams.

Compensation

A total of $185,000 CAD will be provided to the selected artist commissioned for this project. This fee is intended to cover all costs associated with the design, development, fabrication, and installation of the artwork. The commissioned artist will be expected to manage this budget and deliver the completed artwork within the timeline outlined in the EOI document. For more details, please read the full Call for Artists.

Selection Process

This is a two-stage artist selection process. The first stage consists of a public call (EOI – Expression of Interest) for artists to submit their qualifications, relevant experience, intent, and ability to provide the services required. Up to three (3) artists will be shortlisted and invited to develop and present a concept proposal for the project in the second stage (RFP – Request for Proposals). Each of shortlisted Artists will be provided an honorarium upon submission and presentation of their concept proposal.

Artists’ submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel comprised of five voting members and three non-voting advisory members with expertise spanning airport leadership, architecture, art, and public engagement. Panelists will bring insight, care, and both lived and professional experience within the local community.

Through collaborative discussion and consensus-building, the panel will carefully consider the proposals and recommend one (1) artist or artist team to be awarded the commission.

Rendering of YLW ATB Expansion airside concourse, courtesy of omb architects + designers

Submission Requirements

Submissions must include all the information requested below:

• Artist biography (250–300 words) summarizing the artist’s life and career highlights, and education relevant to their practice. If applying as an Artist Team, provide a 250–300-word Artist Biography for each person.
• Artist CV (4 pages maximum), including artist contact information: name, email, address, phone number. If applying as an artist team, provide a CV, as described, for each person.
• Work samples – Up to ten (10) images examples of past work that best illustrate the artist qualifications for this project. One image per page. Please include artist name(s), title, year, location and medium information on each image page.
• Statement of Project Understanding (300–500 words) explaining the proponent’s understanding of, and/or connection with:
  ◦  The project context (Canada, BC, Okanagan Region, Kelowna), the arts & culture in the region, the airport’s public art program, and the community
  ◦  The project site (YLW, ATB expansion, Landside Concourse)
  ◦  The project vision & objectives
• Statement of Intent (Max. 800 words) explaining:
  ◦  The artist’s interest in this particular opportunity
  ◦  How it relates to the artist’s practice
  ◦  What the artists’ experience and creative approach bring to this project
• References – Please provide three (3) references who can speak to the artist’ past accomplishments, experience and expertise, including the artist’ ability to deliver projects on time and on budget, and to successfully work with multiple project teams, in a collaborative and constructive manner. Please provide name, title, contact e-mail and telephone number.

How to Submit

Submit applications to the City of Kelowna’s online portal or by email to purchasing@kelowna.ca

Submissions by other methods may not be accepted. Minimum system requirements are Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. JavaScript must be enabled.

Uploading large documents may take significant time, depending on the file(s) size and the Internet connection. You will receive an email confirmation receipt with a unique confirmation number once you finalize your submission.

All information provided shall remain as property of the City of Kelowna and will be used solely for the purpose of evaluation.

Complete submission instructions and details can be found in the Call for Artists.

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025, 2:00pm PT

For additional information or questions:
Please contact Anabella Alfonzo, Aartplace, via purchasing@kelowna.ca or via the City’s Bonfire Portal by initiating communications electronically through the Messages>Opportunity Q&A function.

City of Kelowna
1435 Water Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J4
www.kelowna.ca
purchasing@kelowna.ca
250.469.8500