Call for Expressions of Interest: Public Art for Children’s Area at New Central Library, Guelph

Artist rendering of the new Central Library with the Children’s Area circled. Image courtesy of Guelph Public Library.

Call to Artists: Public Art for the Children’s Area at Guelph’s New Central Library

Submission Deadline: November 27, 2026, 11:59pm ET
Total Budget: $250,000 +HST (if applicable)
Anticipated Installation: Fall 2027

The Friends of the Guelph Public Library invite experienced and qualified artists and artist-led teams to submit an Expression of Interest to create an original public artwork for the Children’s Area within Guelph’s new Central Library.

The selected artwork will celebrate the community’s ongoing support of the Library and the dedicated work of the Friends of the Guelph Public Library over the past 22 years. The artwork will become part of the City of Guelph’s Public Art Collection.

This call will be conducted in two phases.

Visit the project webpage to read the full Call to Artists and submit your application.

Project Theme

This commission offers artists a unique opportunity to create contemporary art for children. The original piece of public art will be imaginative, joyful, and inspire child-led engagement.

The artwork will be visible from the street, inviting families to enter and explore, and establishing the Children’s Area as a beloved repeat destination for years to come.

Artists must consider how their art will:

• Spark curiosity, delight, and creative play
• Invite accessible and inclusive ways of engaging
• Inspire repeat visits

Photograph of the Play Area in the Children’s Area during construction with available space for artwork highlighted. Courtesy of Guelph Public Library.

Architectural drawing of the Children’s Area with available space for artwork highlighted. Courtesy of Guelph Public Library.

Projected Timeline

• October 19, 2026, 6pm ET – Online Information Session (optional) | Register here
• November 27, 2026 – Submission Deadline: Phase 1
• December 14–18, 2026 – Shortlisted artists notified
• January 11–15, 2027 – Site visit and project brief at the Central Library
• February 16, 2027 – Submission Deadline: Phase 2
• March 3, 2027 – Notice sent to successful artist(s)
• March 8–12, 2027 – Contract administration
• April – September 2027 – Fabrication (~ 6 months)
• October 2027 – Project Installation
• October – November 2027 – Project Unveiling & Celebration Period

This timeline is subject to change and will be discussed in collaboration with the successful artist(s).

Eligibility

Artists or artist-led teams whose primary place of residence is Canada and who are legally entitled to work in Canada, and Indigenous artists residing in or originating from the unceded territories now known as Canada, may qualify for this project.

Artists with limited experience in large-scale, structural, and/or technical work who wish to apply are encouraged to do so in collaboration with a team who can support those aspects.

Compensation

The artist’s project budget is $250,000 +HST (if applicable) and includes:

• Artist fees (designing, creating, producing, and installing the artwork)
• Production (materials, equipment, fabrication, shipping, and other services)
• Studio space, travel, and accommodation, where necessary
• Installation of artwork (trades, engineering, technical reviews)
• Insurance

The project budget will be managed by the artist, in consultation with the Friends of the Guelph Public Library and with administrative support from the City of Guelph.

Compensation terms are informed by the Public Art Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule — CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens).

Selection Process and Criteria

The awarded artist(s) will be chosen through a two-phase selection process:

• Phase 1 – Expression of Interest
• Phase 2 – Request for Proposals

The Friends of the Guelph Public Library Public Art Committee will review all applications and recommend shortlisted candidates based on the selection criteria outlined below:

• Expression of Interest (artists’ interest, connection, vision for artwork) = 35%
• Artistic Vibrancy of past/current artwork = 30%
• Experience and Qualifications as demonstrated by CVs = 25%
• Successful Track Record as demonstrated by Letters of Reference = 10%

Up to 5 shortlisted artists or artist-led teams will be invited to develop their concept proposals in a second submission. They will be compensated with a $2,500 +HST honorarium.

Submission Requirements

Full details in the Call to Artists.

• Expression of Interest (up to 500 words, maximum PDF size 2 MB)
• Experience and Qualifications (up to 3 pages, maximum PDF size 2 MB)
• Support materials (up to 10 pages, maximum PDF size 5 MB)
• Letters of Reference (formatted as PDFs)

How to Submit

Visit the project webpage to read the full Call to Artists and submit your materials through the online application.

Submission Deadline: November 27, 2026, 11:59pm ET

Find out about more Public Art Opportunities at the New Central Library.

For more information, or to request this application in an alternate format contact:
Friends of the Guelph Public Library
c/o Cultural Program and Events Coordinator
culture@guelph.ca | 519-836-1221 extension 3652
TTY 519-826-9771

The Friends of the Guelph Public Library is a volunteer organization that supports and promotes the Guelph Public Library, ensuring that Guelph’s public library system thrives as a place for learning, culture, and community connection.

Instagram @friendsguelphpubliclibrary
Facebook @FGPLBookSale

The Guelph Public Library offers inclusive, sustainable spaces, and opportunities for people to engage their curiosity and create community.

For more on the community engagement process that contributed to the development of this commission, check out the New Central Library webpage.

Accessibility: Guelph Public Library is partially accessible.

City of Guelph Public Art Collection

The City of Guelph recognizes that art in public places is an important aspect of culturally vibrant cities. Through public art we celebrate our culture and heritage, reflect our diversity, express shared values and define our unique identity.

City of Guelph Public Art Policy and Culture Plan.

Image Descriptions:
1. Street-level digital rendering of a taupe building with a zig-zag roofline and large corner windows circled in green.
2. Interior photograph of a room with floor-to-ceiling corner windows and a drop-tile ceiling. Floor area and windows highlighted in green.
3. Architectural drawing of a long room with corner area and corner windows highlighted in green.