Call for Indigenous Artists: Pre-Qualification for Public Art, Toronto Transit Commission

Francisco-Fernando Granados with Kurt Kraler, confluence, 2024-2025, digital rendering.

Call for Pre-Qualification: Public Art for Spadina Station, Toronto Transit Commission

Deadline for Submissions: March 6, 2025
Reference No. R11PJ25121

The TTC invites Indigenous artists to submit qualifications for a new permanent public art commission within the pedestrian corridor at Spadina Station.

Indigenous professional artists are invited to submit expressions of interest, CV, images of past work, references, and Self ID* statement certifying/declaring identity as First Nations (Status or non-Status), Inuit or Metis, in accordance with the specifications within the full Request for Prequalification Document.

In keeping with the Toronto Public Art Strategy (2020–2030), this art opportunity aims to acknowledge the Indigenous history, present and future of the land upon which the station sits. As an opportunity for First Nations, Indigenous and Metis Artists, the selection panel for this public art opportunity will include First Nations, Indigenous and Metis representation.

The TTC is looking to pre-qualify artists to create integrated artwork as part of the TTC’s enhancement of the corridor connecting the two parts of Spadina Station. The Prequalification Stage is a stand alone and independent stage that is complete once the Prequalified Proponents are identified and awarded by the TTC. It is the TTC’s intention to enter into an agreement with up to five (5) Prequalified Proponents for Spadina Station.

This call is open to Indigenous professional artists or artist teams from Canada, from emerging through established art practices. This call adheres to the Ontario Arts Council definition of professional artist.

The selected Artist’s Scope of Work will include all stages of the design, construction and installation of the artwork from conception to completion, including but limited to:

• Working with the project team to achieve an accepted concept within the schedule set for the project;
• Conducting technical research and providing samples of the proposed technique of integrating the artwork into the station;
• Working with the TTC’s art consultant and the station project team to present the concept to both public and TTC events, as required;
• Work with the TTC’s design team to develop their artwork and, where appropriate, the station’s connection to the local context and community;
• Working with the project team to address maintenance requirements for the artwork; and
• Providing all materials, labour and services for the design, construction and installation of their artwork.

The total budget is an estimated $320,000 including HST. The budget is an estimate and includes all costs associated with the design, manufacturing/fabrication, transportation, site delivery, and installation of the artworks.

To apply, please refer to the TTC’s Bonfire Portal and application process through that platform.

Deadline for Submissions: March 6, 2025

Please send Bid Submission via TTC’s Bonfire Public Portal, include REFERENCE NO.R11PJ25121

Questions:
Anna Spadafora
Procurement and Contract Specialist
Procurement and Category Management,
Toronto Transit Commission
E-mail: Anna.Spadafora@ttc.ca