Call for Submissions: Pride 2026 Temporary Vinyl Window Murals, City of Pickering

Pickering City Hall, City of Pickering

Public Art Opportunity: Temporary Pride Window Wraps

Submission Deadline: March 9, 2026, 4pm ET

The City of Pickering invites local artists/teams to apply to submit digital based artwork for the Pride 2026 Vinyl Window Murals project. Selected works will be digitally reproduced as large scale temporary murals installed on the windows of the tower at City Hall (both front and back windows). The artwork will be printed on vinyl and installed by the City. Under the theme of “Pride Belongs Here” this temporary public art opportunity will aim to celebrate and affirm 2SLGBTQIA+ residents as valued members of our community. This theme invites artists to explore pride as an inclusive, civic, and transformative force—expressed through 2SLGBTQIA+ joy, care, resilience, and belonging in our city.

This activation will be displayed on the windows from June 1, 2026, to July 3, 2026. One artist/team will be commissioned by The City of Pickering to create the works. As per the City of Pickering Public Art Policy (CUL 130) an Artist is defined as the designer/creator of an artistic work and can include, but is not limited to, a professional artist, graphic designer, collaborative team, architect, or landscape designer.

Project Requirements

Artists are advised that artwork must adhere to the following specifications:

• Artwork will be professionally reproduced on vinyl, exact sizes to be shared with the selected artists.
• Designs should not include text, current political figures, and/or logos.
• Vinyl production and installation will be undertaken by the City of Pickering.
• The City of Pickering will have reproduction rights to submitted artwork for a period of two years.
• The artist(s) retains sole copyright to their original artwork.
• The City may choose to display images of the artwork for marketing purposes.
• High resolution PDF, Adobe Illustrator .ai files, or .eps files are required for production.

Technical Specifications

Design Considerations:

• The created work must be provided in a digital format.
• The work is to reflect the theme of Pride Belongs Here.
• The work is to be inclusive, engaging, and create a feeling of joy and belonging.
• The total width of one set of windows measure: 120.5″ High x 230.5″ Wide. Exact window measurements including mullions will be provided to selected artist.
• The project calls for one piece of digital artwork to be printed twice and mounted to both the east facing and west facing windows.

Project Terms

All artwork must be original, made by the artist submitting.

• For the submission, artist are expect to submit a rough idea that will provide an insight as to what the final work will look like.
• Absolutely no mechanical reproductions of original works are permitted.
• Digital artwork should be created at a minimum of 300 ppi.
• The format for digital illustrations is vector or raster-based images for digital collage and digitally painted designs.
• The artwork must not include profane language and derogatory imagery.
• Each file submitted must be clearly identified with your full name and an image number. Artwork must be accompanied with an artwork information sheet that details each image’s title, material/format, date, etc.
• The artist will submit a statement describing their project and process. This text may be used for educational and promotional purposes.
• Photographs containing clearly identifiable persons must submit a completed model release form with their entry.
• The City of Pickering reserves the right to replace and/or remove any artwork, at any time during the determined installation time.

Eligibility

The City of Pickering recognizes and values that diverse perspectives, skills, backgrounds, and lived experiences contribute to the growth and strength of our community. As such, we actively encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples and equity-deserving communities including women, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, and other diverse communities.

Progressive Pride Flag, Public Domain

Compensation

The budget for this project is $2,500.00 including HST (maximum)*. This is the total amount available for the commission of these placemaking artworks in addition to all related expenses of this project including, but not limited to: artist fees, all applicable taxes, detailed renderings, materials, and schedules or other expertise as required, insurance, equipment, travel to meetings and to the site, and an artist statement for completed work.

The selected artist will provide a Scope of Work based on the Placemaking opportunity to The City of Pickering. This Scope of Work will address the artist’s obligations, which include, but are not limited to:

• Proposed Designs
• Timeline
• Insurance
• Copyright, Intellectual Property and Moral Rights

The City of Pickering will work with a supplier to print, install and remove the vinyl window murals.

Selection Process

A jury comprised of professional artists and community members of diverse backgrounds will be established for the evaluation of the proposals. This is a single-stage competition. One (1) artist/team will be awarded the commission.

For more information about the selection process, visit our website at pickering.ca/calltoartists.

Submission Requirements

Artists are invited to respond to this RFP Call by submitting a single pdf document (max size 20 MB) including: artist statement, project statement, concept design, portfolio of past work and references.

For more information check our website at pickering.ca/calltoartists.

How to Submit

Complete your RFP submission by filling out the form.

Submission Deadline: March 9, 2026, 4pm ET

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Ellen Tayles-Armstrong
etayles@pickering.ca | 905.409.0567

City of Pickering
One the Esplanade
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7
pickering.ca
905.420.4660

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Accessibility:
The City will provide accommodation throughout the selection process for applicants with disabilities. Please notify Ellen Tayles-Armstrong, Curator, Public Art, Community Services at 905.420.2660, ext. 3717 or etayles@pickering.ca as to the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.