Call for Submissions: Suspended Installation for WM Atrium, North Dumfries

Image: WM

Call for Submissions: A Suspended Installation to Light Up the New Atrium at a WM Location

Grand River Artist Collective is inviting proposals for a new installation to hang in a publicly accessible building for WM in North Dumfries, Ontario.

Submission Deadline: Artists are invited to submit a proposal by June 27, 2025

Overview of the Project

We invite artists to submit proposals for a sculptural artwork that addresses themes of recycling and sustainability of household/end-user materials through waste management and helps to communicate our core values. The selected artwork will be prominently displayed in the vestibule of our new building, which stands approximately 21 feet tall. The location of the building is in the township of North Dumfries in Ontario. The design will be wired to light the vestibule and accentuate the chosen artwork.

About WM

The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes more than 12,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet in the industry in North America. WM Healthcare Solutions provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste, as well as secure information destruction services, in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.

Core values

Diversity & Inclusion
We embrace and cultivate respect, trust, open communications and diversity of thought and people.

Customers
We place our customers at the center of what we do and aspire to delight them every day.

Safety
We make health and safety the foundation of our work, guiding each step we take without compromise.

Environment
We are responsible stewards of the environment and champions for sustainability.

Project Requirements

• Vestibule dimensions: 8 feet and 9 inches deep, 12 feet and 8 inches deep, 21 feet and 2 inches tall with no less than 8 feet of clearance from the floor to the lowest part of the artwork.
• Lighting level must be sufficient to adequately illuminate the space.
• Electrical fixtures must meet ESA requirements. A licensed electrician will be consulted before installation.
• Technical requirements and drawings can be found online at: www.grandriverartists.ca/wm-call-for-art
  

Project Goals

• Enhance Aesthetics: Create a visually compelling piece that complements the architectural space of the atrium and delights and wows visitors.
• Promote Awareness: Highlight the role of WM in recycling, the circular economy and sustainable waste management practices and how WM partners with communities to build resilient and thriving places to live and work.
• Inspire Curiosity: Encourage the viewer/visitor to be curious about environmentally responsible behaviors, the role of WM and the possibilities of a more sustainable future.

Preferred Form and Materials

• Reflective and/or light enhancing or utilizing materials
• Materials that are recognized as related to consumer or household use
• Bold colour
• Eye-catching form
• Must be a light fixture
• Must be harmonious and complementary to existing materials in the space

Image: WM

Eligibility

• Open to professional artists who live in Canada. Preference may be given to those who are close to the installation location or can travel there.
• Collaborative proposals from one or more artists are welcome.
• Art must be original and attributable to the submitting artists.

Compensation

Compensation for the selected artist is $3500.

• Costs of materials will be covered by WM.
• All wiring and installation will be performed by WM at our cost.
• WM will help the artist adapt the chosen design to meet lighting and ESA requirements, if that is necessary. A licensed electrician will provide feedback.

Three artists will also receive a swag prize package from WM.

Selection Process

• Esthetic merit
• Relevance to the themes and goals of WM
• Artistic merit and originality
• Ability to meet the project milestones
• Feasibility and durability of the proposed artwork, including an engineering or electrical review
• Compatibility with location
• Ability for the artist to collaborate with the installation team and electrician

Image: WM

Submission Requirements

What to include with your submission:

1. Proposal Description: Detailed concept of the artwork, including materials, dimensions, and estimated weight (kg), and lumens of Foot candles of light emitted.
2. Artist Statement: Explanation of how the artwork addresses the themes of circular economy and sustainability from a consumer perspective. 250 words or less.
3. Artist Bio/CV: A bio and a link to a CV page. 250 words or less.
4. Visuals: Sketches, renderings, or digital images of the proposed artwork.
5. Portfolio: Up to five examples of previous work.
6. Attachments: Submit documents in PDF format and images in jpeg or png format as separate files. File names should include the full name of the artist. Combined file sizes should not exceed 10 MB. A link to a file location may be provided.

How to Submit

Send your complete proposal package to info@grandriverartists.ca (not to exceed 10 MB) by midnight June 27, 2025. Do not contact WM.

Submission Deadline: June 27, 2025

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Andrea Filiatrault, General Manager, Grand River Artist Collective
info@grandriverartists.ca

Grand River Artist Collective
44 Gaukel St, Unit 116A
Kitchener, ON N2G 4P3

Facebook @grandriverartists
Instagram @grandriverartists

Accessibility:
Grand River Artists Collective supports accessibility. If you need support to submit an application, contact info@grandriverartists.ca.

Image Descriptions:
1. A green garbage struck in a dry yellow field with a WM logo on the side
2. A person in yellow hard hat and vest walking in front of cubes of compressed plastic recycling
3. A person in a yellow hard hat and vest walking on a catwalk in a factory setting above a conveyor belt where sorted plastic is being moved into a machine.
4. Grand River Artist Collective logo: Green image on a white background that appears as a stylized river between green banks with the Grand River Artist Collective name.