Call for Submissions: Thickson Road Public Art Project, Town of Whitby

Call for Artists – Thickson Road Public Art Project

Submission Deadline: September 16, 2024

The Town of Whitby is calling for professional artists and artists teams residing in Ontario to design, fabricate and install public artwork along Thickson Road from Dundas Street to Nichol Avenue.

The goal of the public art project is to help beautify the area, create a sense of place along Thickson Road, provide visual interest specifically for motorists but also appealing to pedestrians and create a more united space.

This is a two-stage competition that will involve community input as part of the overall design.

The total budget for the project, including artist fees, materials, fabrication, shipping and installation is $125,000 (including HST).

Site Info

The Corporation of the Town of Whitby is located on the Lands of the Great Mississauga Nations, who are signatories to the Williams Treaties. Thickson Road is located in the Town of Whitby and is a busy north-south roadway that is primarily vehicular oriented, containing commercial plazas with large parking areas on either side with a pedestrian sidewalk flanking the edge of the road and a large right-of-way to accommodate 4-5 lanes of traffic. Traffic volume is approximately 22,000 vehicles per day with a speed limit of 60 km/hr. Hydro lines flank either side of the road, and the area lacks community character and cohesiveness. This area contains many commercial uses including the Whitby Mall, restaurants and fast-food chains, grocery stores, retail shops and service-oriented businesses.

Project Parameters

All themes are welcome for this public art project; however it is highly recommended that the artwork design has a connection to the site and helps to elevate the Thickson Road corridor as a commercial gateway in the community.

The project shall incorporate the following parameters:

1. Be repetitive in nature, with ideally a minimum of four art pieces staggered along the roadway.
2. Be primarily viewed and enjoyed by people travelling in their vehicle (at speeds of 60km/hr) as well as be viewed and enjoyed by pedestrians walking along the sidewalk.
3. Be located on both sides of Thickson Road between Dundas Street and Nichol Avenue.
4. Be impactful in the design and provide visual interest to create a more cohesive, friendly and inviting streetscape.

Application Process

Stage 1 – Submission/Application Requirements
Artists are invited to apply online until September 16, 2024. The Jury Panel will select the top three artists to move forward to the next stage of the project.

Stage 2 – Community Engagement and Final Concept Design
The final three selected artists will be invited to make a presentation of their proposal to the Jury Panel and community members at a public event, where they will receive feedback to review and consider as part of creating their final concept design. The top three artists will be awarded a $1,250 honorarium for their presentation at the public event and updated submission of a completed final concept design based on feedback.

Estimated Project Timeline

• August 2, 2024 – Application Period Opens
• September 16, 2024 – Application Closes
• September/October 2024 – Submissions Reviewed by Jury Panel
• October 31, 2024 – Top 3 Finalists Chosen
• November 2024 – Community Engagement of Top 3 Designs
• January 15, 2025 – Final Top 3 Concept Designs Refined and Submitted
• January/February 2025 – Final Concept Designs Reviewed by Jury Panel
• February 28, 2025 – Winning Design Awarded
• March – July 2025 – Permits Completed, Fabrication and Installation of Artwork

Financial Details and Budget

The Town will provide the top three finalists chosen to move forward to Stage 2 with a $1,250 honorarium plus up to a maximum of $500 for travel expenses related to the public event presentation.

The total budget for the final artwork including artist fees, engineering, insurance, travel costs, materials, permits, delivery and installation is $125,000 inclusive of HST.

How to Apply

Visit whitby.ca for submission requirements, public art policy, and apply online now.

Submission Date: September 16, 2024

We thank everyone who applies, but only those selected with be contacted to move forward to the next stage of the Call for Artists.

For more information, contact: publicart@whitby.ca