Call for Submissions: Local Art for Oak House Student Residence, University of Toronto

Illustrations are artist’s concept. Specifications are subject to change without notice. E. & O. E. All brand names, logos, images, text and graphics are the copyright of the owners, Daniels HR Corporation and University of Toronto. Reproduction in any form, without prior written permission of Daniels HR Corporation and University of Toronto, is strictly prohibited.

Call for Submissions:
Local Art for New Student Residence in Toronto

Daniels HR Corporation (Daniels), as agent on behalf of the University of Toronto invites artists to submit proposals for a new student residence in Toronto. The installation of the artwork will take place around summer of 2024. The proposal process may involve consulting with Daniels on the design and fabrication of the work to arrive at a final concept and installation of the piece(s) as needed.

For Daniels and the University of Toronto, each new community is a work of art. From conception through to completion, every Daniels-built community is designed to enhance its surroundings, the community and to make a statement about its unique character.

The new student residence, located at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Sussex Avenue in downtown Toronto has been named the Oak House Student Residence.

Oak House Student Residence will be a sustainable living student community that incorporates not just physical sustainable attributes to the building (e.g. geo-exchange) but also community-based ones, for both the broader Spadina-Sussex community and the University at large. It will bring a new standard of living for students and faculty to campus, and will aim to promote collaboration, integration, and cross-population interaction through academic and co-curricular programming within the university, the surrounding community, and the City of Toronto itself.

The oak tree has long been a symbol of strength, wisdom and connection to nature and the earth’s environment. Oak House will contain a student community that builds upon the academic strength, wisdom and strong roots of the University of Toronto while fostering a community dedicated to sustainable innovation and outreach. Oak is a foundational building material of many homes, and is commonly associated with longevity, stability, strength, and endurance. It is hoped that this student residence community will provide a solid and enduring home for many students for many years to come. Oak trees can also be found all over the University of Toronto St. George campus and for 196 years have been part of the University’s Coat of Arms and a symbol of the institution.

In consultation with Diamond Schmitt Architects, a number of opportunities for social purchasing of local artwork have been identified for the common areas and amenity spaces within the residence to help bring the space to life and tie the various aspects of the building together. Reference images for the various artwork opportunities are included below. A breakdown of the pieces to be commissioned, medium, and location is included in the Response Cover Page. Artists are invited to submit artwork that is inspired by the overall look and feel/design principles and inspiration images provided.

For this opportunity, priority will be given to artists who self-identify as:

• Having a connection to U of T (current students, alumni, family, member of surrounding communities)
• Connection to the Spadina/Sussex or Harbord Village community (current or past residents)
• Connection to U of T student centralized student residences or communities (Chestnut Residence, Grad House)
• Diverse individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups including but not limited to members of visible minority groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ people

We would encourage submissions that relate directly to any of the following:

• Oak Tree
• Sustainability
• Community
• Innovation
• Students + Learning
• Indigenous heritage/lands/history

Submission Requirements:

1. Please submit as attachments by email only (no file transfer links to download please) to LocalArt@danielscorp.com to a maximum of 10 MB total.

2. Response Cover Page – please read and complete the Response Cover page thoroughly; please include a description of each proposed artwork (two lines/25 words max). Completion of the Response Cover Page is mandatory to be considered for the project.

3. Artist Information:

A. A CV / resume with contact information and any supporting materials (website, reviews, catalogues)

B. Biography (200 words max.)

C. An Artist Statement (200 words max.)

• Outline experience in public art, if any

D. Additional Information (please complete in Response Cover Page)

• Connection to the communities and subject matter (if applicable) as stated above (35 words maximum) Ex. connection to UofT, Spadina/Sussex or Harbod Village, UofT student residences or communities.
• Optional – self-identify as a diverse individual belonging to equity-deserving groups, including but not limited to members of visible minority groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ communities

4. Proposal:

• 1-2 images, sketches, examples or images of proposed artwork piece(s) – proposed art may be existing pieces or new pieces for consideration or commission, as long as they meet the requirements for each area (size, medium look/feel etc). For each image please include the following information: title, medium, dimensions, year of completion in the Response Cover Page
• Must include a proposed fee for each piece and shall be an all-inclusive fee that includes the following:
  ◦  Frames (if required for the piece); installation hardware not required
  ◦  Delivery to site for installation and if required, temporary storage of piece/s if applicable until ready for installation. Artist to coordinate with Daniels for delivery (Daniels will install the artwork)
  ◦  Copyright of the artwork will continue to be owned by the Artist, however fee must include granting Daniels and the University permission to photograph or film and reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast and distribute and create derivative works of these images or videos’ image in any media now known or later developed, with no additional royalties due. The image/s may also be incorporated into print and/or online brochures. Additionally, the image(s) may be incorporated into lobby renderings shared on social media, UofT internal or external web pages, display renderings or other communications.

The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. on Friday October 27, 2023.

For any other questions, please contact LocalArt@danielscorp.com.