Call for Proposals: Atrium Commission at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Olivia Whetung, GHOST ACRES, 2024/25, 6/0 Miyuki seed beads, Berkley FireLine, rope. Installed at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, as part of the solo exhibition, inawendiwok. Photo by Tony Hafkenscheid.

Call for Proposals: Atrium Commission
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa ON

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2026, 11:59pm ET
View the full Call for Proposals

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is excited to announce a Call for Proposals for a new installation commission to be suspended in the atrium, located in the lobby of the gallery.

For this inaugural program, the RMG invites artists, designers and collectives to propose a new, site-responsive artwork that will be suspended in the atrium for two years, from February 2027 to February 2029. The commission is intended to bring contemporary art into the heart of the gallery, animating the space and creating a dynamic and welcoming first encounter for visitors.

The RMG is particularly interested in proposals that respond to the specific conditions of the site, including the architectural character of the atrium, the gallery’s civic and cultural role in downtown Oshawa, the gallery’s history, and the histories and landscapes that shape the Durham region. The selected work should reflect a contemporary art approach, prioritizing conceptual rigor, material experimentation, and strong visual impact, while remaining accessible and engaging for a wide public audience.

Proposals should respond to the following goals and parameters of the commission (a full description of the history of the site, as well as further information about these goals are listed on the website):

Contemporary Artistic Vision
Proposals must demonstrate a strong contemporary art approach, grounded in conceptual clarity, material inquiry, and a distinct artistic voice. The RMG is interested in ambitious works that challenge conventional expectations of public-facing installation, and that can hold both visual presence and intellectual depth within a civic setting.

Site-Responsiveness and Local Conditions
Artists are encouraged to respond to the specific conditions of the RMG and its surrounding context, including the architecture of the lobby, the gallery’s location in downtown Oshawa, and the layered histories of the region.

Material Experimentation and Environmental Responsibility
The RMG welcomes proposals that demonstrate thoughtful experimentation with materials, process, and form. Works may incorporate unconventional approaches, provided the work remains structurally feasible, durable, and professionally executed.

Light, Space, and Atmosphere
The atrium’s height and natural light are defining features of the site. Proposals should engage the spatial and atmospheric qualities of the atrium—such as shadow, reflection, transparency, illumination, or seasonal variation.

Measurements and mounting area for suspended installation in the atrium, 2026. Courtesy of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

Timeline and Important Dates

The successful applicant will be contacted by mid-May to sign contracts and conduct site visits as needed. The artist’s production will begin independently in June and culminate in December of 2026. Regular studio visits (which can be virtual) will be conducted between the artist and The RMG to ensure deadlines are met. The artwork will be installed onsite by the RMG staff from January 25 to 29, 2027. The successful applicant must be available to coordinate logistics throughout the installation and production period, though is not required to be onsite throughout.

Eligibility

We welcome proposals from artists, designers, and collectives residing across Ontario, who are excited by an opportunity to engage with the local histories and material realities of Oshawa through a suspended installation work. Applicants must demonstrate a strong contemporary art background and have previously displayed their artwork in an exhibition or public presentation. The RMG is committed to acting as a positive force by committing to a strategic process that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that structural change can only be achieved with the active and meaningful involvement of people who reflect our community. The RMG encourages applications from visible and invisible minority group members, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ identifying people, racialized people, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. We welcome applicants to self-identify in their proposals.

Compensation

The total budget for the project is $35,000 CAD (HST inclusive). The project budget includes all costs directly associated with the artwork, including artist fees for design, fabrication, shipping, exhibition fees, travel, installation, and any other incidental and production expenses. Insurance will be provided for the work while it is onsite and one install technician will be provided during the installation period.

Interior view of the atrium, located in the lobby of the gallery, 2015. Courtesy of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

Submission Requirements

1. Expression of Interest – a maximum of two (2) written pages in response to the following questions:

• Why you are interested in creating work for the lobby atrium at the RMG.
• How you would approach the commission if selected. Please provide details about the work you would like to produce, including the concept and a description of the design.
• Provide a brief description of your artistic practice and the relevant skills you would bring to this commission.

2. Design Proposal – a maximum of five (5) images that demonstrate the site specific concept through drawing, mock ups and tests. Designs can be drawn over the images provided of the atrium. Floor plans and architectural drawings are available on The RMG website.

3. CV – no more than five (5) pages.

4. Work Samples – detailed information on 2-3 relevant projects, in development or completed. Please include the following information for each project included: project title, location, project overview, role on team, team members (if applicable) budget and duration (max 1 page).

5. References – Please provide the name and contact for two references who can speak to your ability to complete this project on time and on budget.

How to Submit

All proposals should be formatted as a single PDF and submitted to greta hamilton, TD Assistant Curator, at ghamilton@rmg.on.ca.

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2026, 11:59pm ET

To view the full Call for Proposals, please visit the RMG website.

For additional information, photographs, design speculations, or questions, please contact:
greta hamilton, TD Assistant Curator
ghamilton@rmg.on.ca | 905.576.3000 ext. 106

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queen Street
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z3
www.rmg.on.ca
905.576.3000

Facebook @TheRMG
Instagram @rmgoshawa
YouTube @RMGOshawa

Accessibility:
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is fully accessible. For more information, visit the Accessibility and Accommodations page.

Image Descriptions:
1. Beaded bunting made by the artist, Oliva Whetung, hangs in the atrium of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. The bunting reads, Ghost Acres Haunt Every Feast.
2. Red text overlays a photograph of the atrium at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, describing the measurements of the atrium, and denoting anchor points for suspension.
3. A bright photograph of the atrium at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery offers another view of the architectural features of the space.