Call for Submissions: Grimsby Museum 40th Anniversary Mural Project

Grimsby Museum 40th Anniversary Mural Project

Grimsby Museum invites mural artists or artist collectives to submit a proposal for a new mural

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Grimsby Museum will commission a new mural installation to replace the current mural on the side of the building located at 6 Murray Street. Artists living in the Grimsby and Niagara region are invited to submit proposals for a large-scale paneled mural to serve as a space that celebrates the rich history of Grimsby.

The Culture Advisory Committee will select the successful artist or artist collective on September 6, 2024 and make a public announcement on September 9. The mural project will commence on the week of September 16.

Award: $7,000.00, inclusive of artist fees, planning, and materials.
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2024, 4:00 pm
Send submissions and questions to: museum-public@grimsby.ca

Background

From the early Neutral First People settlement to the arrival of the Loyalist settlers at the Forty Mile Creek in the 1780s, Grimsby residents have embodied a spirit of community and collective strength that is still evident today. By following the Heritage Highway route, one can explore Grimsby’s roots and learn about the wonderful place we have in Canadian history.

Grimsby was the site of the first municipal meeting in Upper Canada on April 5, 1790, and the location of the Engagement at the Forty in 1813 – the pivotal naval battle and turning point in the War of 1812.

The Village of Grimsby was incorporated in 1876 and became a town in 1922. Throughout the town are historic reminders of our rich heritage and early ancestors. The findings of the Neutral First People settlement are on display in Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum. Our own Grimsby Museum is home to many artifacts and historic documents, such as the original Town Bell, purchased in 1883 and restored in 1966. A tourist destination since the 1850s, Grimsby Beach was the site of the Ontario Methodist Camp Meeting Ground. Centered around a unique temple, the camp provided families across the region with opportunities for fellowship and religious growth. During this period, Grimsby was considered the Chautauqua of the North, an adult education movement that emphasized sharing arts, culture, and literature to enhance and educate communities. In the 1910s, the area was transformed into an amusement park, which attracted visitors from all over North America.

Project Goal

Artist(s) proposals will be scored, in part, on how successfully they address the following goal and themes.

Goal: The proposed Mural reflects the complex, rich, and diverse history of the Grimsby area including the Neutral Nation through today.

Suggested Themes:

Neutral Nation
Loyalists
Grimsby Beach History
Forty-mile Creek
Industry
Hotels
Grimsby Independent
Natural environment (escarpment, etc.)
History of farming, peaches, etc.

Site

The site for the Mural will be the Murray Street side of the Grimsby Museum. The mural will replace the current mural that resides at the site. (add Size)

Budget

The total budget for all expenses related to this project is a maximum of $7,000.00 Canadian Dollars.

This is the total amount available for all related expenses of this public art project including but not limited to:

artist fees,
all applicable taxes,
detailed renderings,
materials,
site preparation,
technical consultations and approvals or other expertise as required,
fabrication, installation,
insurance,
equipment,
permit fees,
travel to meetings and to the site,
an artist statement, and
a maintenance manual for the completed work.

Eligibility

Town of Grimsby employees are not eligible to submit proposals to this call.
Artists under 18 years of age must have their parent or legal guardian sign all required documents on their behalf.

Selection Process

Submission Materials:

Application form – Basic artist information or team member listing
Artist statement, bio, and CV
Artist concept statement – A brief statement (Max 750 words) outlining the concept and how the work addressed the project’s goals and themes
Conceptual sketch or Diagram – Including a minimum of one drawing, collage, photography, digital mock-up or other image that most efficiently and effectively illustrates the ideas of the proposed work – Indicate the proposed material on the image
Draft budget
Past work, up to 10 images – relevant work that will speak to the artist’s experience

Selection Criteria:

The selection committee will review all applicants based on the selection criteria (including the merit of their past work, professional qualifications, and experience), the technical feasibility, and concept and as a committee select the successful artist. The selected artist will enter into a contract with the Town of Grimsby for the artwork creation and installation phase of the project. The artist must guarantee the artwork is original and does not violate the copyright of any other person.

How to Submit

Send all submission materials to museum-public@grimsby.ca. Subject line: YOUR NAME _Mural proposal.

Submission Deadline: August 31, 2024, 4:00 pm

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Janet Oakes
joakes@grimsby.ca