Request for Proposals: Culture and Sport Tourism Digital Artwork, City of Peterborough

Downtown Peterborough Festival

Request for Proposals
Culture and Sport Tourism – Digital Artwork

Submission Deadline: February 9, 2026, 4:00pm EST

The City of Peterborough invites local artists, designers, and creative practitioners to submit proposals for the creation of an original, scalable digital artwork to support the City’s Culture and Sport Tourism marketing, communications, and merchandise initiatives.

This is a one-stage, competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) open to individual artists, designers, or artist teams based in Peterborough and the surrounding region. The selected artist will be commissioned to create one original digital artwork that can be adapted and reproduced across a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:

• Apparel and merchandise (e.g., t-shirts, hats, bags)
• Printed promotional materials
• Digital marketing and communications
• Event branding and tourism campaigns

The artwork will be used for both non-profit and for-profit purposes, supporting City-led initiatives that promote Peterborough as a destination for culture, sport, and community experiences.

Project Requirements

The City of Peterborough regularly supports and delivers culture and sport-related initiatives that attract residents and visitors, celebrate local identity, and contribute to economic and community vitality.

This commission is intended to produce a versatile, future-ready visual asset that can be used across multiple campaigns, events, and platforms, and adapted over time to meet evolving marketing and communication needs.

Artwork Theme & Creative Direction

Artists are invited to propose a concept that reflects culture and sport as drivers of tourism, identity, and community pride.

Suggested themes (not prescriptive):

• Culture and creativity as expressions of place
• Sport, movement, energy, and participation
• Community pride and belonging
• Peterborough as a destination
• Culture and sport as unifying forces

The artwork should be:

• Bold, contemporary, and visually engaging
• Highly legible and adaptable across scales
• Suitable for reproduction on apparel and merchandise
• Appropriate for a broad, all-ages public audience
• Designed for long-term and repeat use across campaigns

Artists may explore illustrative, graphic, abstract, typographic, or hybrid approaches.

Scope of Work

The selected artist or team will be responsible for:

• Developing one original digital artwork
• Participating in a project kick-off meeting
• Refining the artwork based on City feedback
• Completing up to two (2) rounds of revisions
• Delivering final, production-ready digital files

Final Deliverables

• High-resolution, scalable digital files (e.g., AI, EPS, SVG, print-ready PDF)
• CMYK and RGB colour versions
• Artwork suitable for apparel printing, digital use, and promotional reproduction

Fabrication, printing, and merchandise production will be managed by the City and/or third-party vendors and are not the responsibility of the artist.

Ariel Photo of Hunter Street Bridge

Eligibility

• This opportunity is open to:
• Professional and emerging artists
• Graphic designers and illustrators
• Creative teams or collectives

Applicants must be based in Peterborough or the surrounding region.

Compensation

Artist Fee: $8,000 + HST (all-inclusive)

• The fee includes concept development, design, up to two rounds of revisions, and final deliverables.
• The selected artist will be required to enter into an agreement granting the City of Peterborough the right to reproduce, adapt, and use the artwork for marketing, communications, and for-profit merchandise purposes.
• Copyright, licensing, moral rights, and credit provisions will be clearly outlined in the artist agreement.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed by City staff based on:

• Artistic quality and originality
• Strength and clarity of the proposed concept
• Relevance to culture and sport tourism objectives
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality digital artwork
• Suitability for merchandising and promotional use

The City reserves the right not to award the commission.

Ariel view during Peterborough Music Fest

Submission Requirements

1. Letter of Interest (maximum 1 page)

• Interest in the project
• Relevant experience
• Artistic approach

2. Professional CV (maximum 3 pages)

3. Portfolio of Past Work

• Up to 10 examples of relevant work
• Include title, year, medium, and brief description

4. Concept Sketch or Visual Proposal

• Preliminary sketch, mock-up, or visual concept illustrating the proposed approach
• Final artwork is not required at this stage

5. References

• A list of at least two professional references familiar with your work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

How to Submit

Applicants must complete the online application form and upload the requested information as a single PDF (maximum file size 10 MB).

Submission Deadline: February 9, 2026 at 4:00pm EST

To access the full opportunity visit: www.peterborough.ca/CalltoArtists

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Ashlee Kielbiski
Recreation Events, Sport & Tourism Coordinator, City of Peterborough
AKielbiski@peterborough.ca
705-742-7777 ext. 2214

City of Peterborough
www.peterborough.ca
cityptbo@peterborough.ca
705-742-7777

Facebook @thecityofpeterborough
Instagram @cityptbo

Accessibility:
The City of Peterborough is an organization that strives to embrace the spirit of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. We are committed to an accessible and inclusive process. If you require accommodation to participate fully in this application or selection process, please contact Ashlee Kielbiski, Recreation Events, Sport & Tourism Coordinator, at AKielbiski@peterborough.ca. Accommodation will be provided on request.