Call for Proposals: Winter Stations 2027

CHIMERA by Denys Horodnyak and Enzo Zak Lux. Winter Stations 2026. Photo: Joel Gale.

Winter Stations 2027

Competition Deadline: October 15, 2026, 11:59pm ET
Winners Announcement: Early January 2026
Exhibition Dates: February 16 – March 30, 2026
Location: Kew and Woodbine Beach, Toronto Ontario, Canada

Winter Stations is calling local & international artists, architects, and designers to submit public art proposals for the exhibition ‘Monument’, exploring memory and myth-making in public space.

There is no fee to enter the competition which welcomes entries from all around the world. The winning teams will be rewarded $2,000 (CAD).

Exhibition Theme:

Every generation leaves behind monuments. Some are carved in stone. Others exist only in memory.

For centuries, monuments have commemorated people, places, victories, and ideas – physical markers of what a society chooses to remember. But monuments are no longer unquestioned. Around the world, they are being removed, reinterpreted, and reclaimed as our understanding of history, culture, and identity continues to evolve.

In a time of rapid change, Monument asks a simple but profound question: What deserves to become a monument today?

Must a monument be permanent? Can it commemorate an emotion rather than an event, a community rather than an individual, or a future aspiration rather than a past achievement? Perhaps the monuments we need are not symbols of power, but places of gathering, resilience, joy, or hope.

For one winter, Winter Stations transforms Toronto’s lifeguard stations into temporary monuments – not because they endure, but because they create memories, spark conversation, and bring people together. Their impact is measured not by permanence, but by the experiences they inspire.

This year’s theme invites designers to rethink what a monument can be, to question what we choose to honour, and to imagine new markers of our time.

What will future generations remember about us? And what monument will you build?

Proposals should adhere to the following budget for submissions:
$5,000 CAD for materials
$10,000 CAD for labour

Embrace by Will Cuthbert. Winter Stations 2026. Photo: Joel Gale.

Evaluation Criteria:

Our jury of experts in art, design, architecture, and public space will use this evaluation criteria to guide their selection of the winning Stations.

Creative Vision & Response (30%)

How effectively does the proposal interpret and embody this year’s theme? Does it create a meaningful connection with place and the public, while offering an artistic expression that is original, relevant, and thought-provoking?

Design Concept (30%)

How clearly and convincingly is the idea visually communicated? Does the proposal outline its key components, dimensions, and materials in a way that demonstrates both creativity and alignment with the stated design considerations?

Design Feasibility (40%)

How realistic is the proposal in terms of fabrication and delivery? Does it show an understanding of available methods, materials, and resources to ensure it can be built safely and within budgetary limits?

Design Factors:

• The lifeguard stands serve as visual anchors and may be incorporated into the design, but the Stations must also be able to be exhibited independently (i.e. no fastening to and/or modifying the lifeguard stands).
• Stations should be designed for both a sandy/snowy beach environment and a flat urban surface (such as asphalt).
• Conceptualize the installation to be experienced up close and from afar, in person and virtually.
• Stations should not exceed a footprint of 10 square meters if the proposal has a roof or is enclosed by walls.
• Assume minimal security and the possibility of vandalism and wear/tear from weather elements and public use.
• Installations should not propose the use of electricity or fire. Solar-powered devices are considered at the discretion of the Winter Stations team.
• Stations which encourage climbing (stairs, ramps, etc.) are subject to the Ontario Building Code.
• Transportation and storage considerations:
  ◦  Designs will need to consider a trailer bed size of 7′ x 18′ to transport the installation. The installation can be intact or disassembled into components to fit on the trailer bed.
  ◦  Designs will need to consider storage efficiency and accommodate a shipping container of 8′ x 8′ x 20′ post exhibition.

The Winter Stations team may help refine final designs of selected concepts so they can be built successfully and within budget.

For more information on submissions guidelines and to submit your design, please visit winterstations.com/competition.

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Katarina Prystay
katarina.prystay@kga-inc.com

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