Call for Submissions: ArtRoutes 2027, Strathcona County

Public Art in Transit

Strathcona County Transit

ArtRoutes: Movement, Memory, Belonging, and Place

Submission Deadline: January 10, 2027, 11:59pm MT

Strathcona County Public Art invites artists from equity-seeking communities to apply for ArtRoutes 2027, a public art commissioning program supporting the creation and public presentation of new 2D and digital artworks.

For the 2027 pilot year, up to five artists will be selected to create artwork exploring the theme Movement, Memory, Belonging, and Place. Artists are encouraged to reflect on stories, relationships, identities, cultures, histories, and experiences that shape how people connect to place, community, and one another.

Selected artworks will be reproduced and presented throughout Strathcona County, including on public transit buses, bus shelters, digital screens, County websites, and promotional materials.

Garfield Morgan, Time Traveller, 2024, Mixed media

Project Requirements

Selected artists will:

• Create a new 2D or digital artwork suitable for reproduction.
• Provide a final high-resolution digital file.
• Submit a short artist biography and artwork statement.
• Participate in a brief artist profile, interview, or written Q&A.
• Review and approve final display layouts.
• Contribute one artwork from the commissioned series to the Strathcona County Permanent Art Collection.

Accepted media may include painting, drawing, illustration, photography, digital art, collage, printmaking, mixed media, graphic storytelling, text-based work, and other reproducible 2D formats.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to artists who identify as members of equity-seeking communities, including:

• First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists
• Newcomer and immigrant artists
• Black and racialized artists
• Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists
• 2SLGBTQIA+ artists
• Other equity-seeking communities

Applicants must live in, work in, or demonstrate a meaningful connection to Strathcona County, the Edmonton region, or Treaty 6 Territory.

No previous public art experience is required.

Kirsten Levitt, Remedy, 2026, Acrylic

Compensation

• Up to five artists will be selected.
• Each artist will receive a $5,000 commission/licensing fee.
• Strathcona County will cover approved production, installation, printing, display, and promotional costs.

Artists retain copyright to their artwork. The artwork donated to the Permanent Art Collection will become County property.

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic merit and quality of previous work
• Relevance to the theme
• Strength of the proposed concept
• Suitability for public presentation
• Feasibility within timeline and budget
• Contribution of diverse perspectives and experiences

Selected artists will be notified following the review process in January 2027.

Sam Schembri, Mine, Yours, or Nothing, 2024, CMYK Screenprint

Submission Requirements

Submit one PDF containing:

• Contact information
• Artist biography (150–250 words)
• CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Statement of interest (approximately 200 words)
• Artwork proposal or concept (150–200 words)
• Up to 10 work samples with image list and descriptions

Optional supporting materials such as a website or social media links may also be included.

Submission Deadline: January 10, 2027, 11:59pm MT

How to Submit

Submit one PDF by email to:
public.art@strathcona.ca

View the full call in PDF format

For Additional Information or Questions:
Kelly Andres
Public Art Advisor
Strathcona County Public Art
kelly.andres@strathcona.ca

Strathcona County Public Art
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3W7
strathcona.ca/PublicArt

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