Request for Proposals: Floating Public Art 2026, Waterfront Toronto

Harbour Square Park Basin, Toronto

Ben Johnston, IT COMES IN WAVES, 2025. Photo: Michael Nguyen

Floating Public Art 2026
Harbour Square Park Basin, Toronto

Submission Deadline: January 22, 2026 by 2:00pm ET

Opportunity

Waterfront Toronto is seeking to commission a professional artist or artist team to create a temporary floating artwork for Harbour Square Park Basin. Artists are asked to submit proposals for installation during summer 2026. The artwork will activate the basin by engaging with the local community and visitors to the waterfront. This RFP is open to artists and artist teams in Canada with relevant experience and expertise as practicing professional artists. Waterfront Toronto requires that artists use Ontario-based contractors and strongly encourages the use of local subcontractors.

Harbour Square Park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Containing one-fifth of all surface freshwater on Earth, the lakes are a vital source of drinking water and food. Throughout history these interconnected bodies of water have been critically important for trade, human settlement and migration. They are sacred to Indigenous Peoples, who have inhabited the shores and fished in their waters since time immemorial. The lakes’ unique ecosystems are host to a diverse array of plants and animals, and their shores and waters provide recreation for millions of people.

Today, water pollution, climate change, over-extraction, invasive species, and wetland loss are all taking a toll on their watersheds. Water scarcity, often perpetuated by climate change, is one of the most pressing global challenges today, particularly in its relationship to migration. It is imperative we remain engaged with the importance of these waters and with the challenges they face.

Theme

In the summer of 2026, Toronto will be part of a global moment. During the installation and exhibition of this project, the city will host one of the largest sporting events in the world: the FIFA World Cup. Matches will take place across North America, with six games in Toronto and numerous watch parties and festivities from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This event will bring together people from every continent, united by the universal language of play. Just as soccer connects cultures across oceans and borders, water connects communities across the globe; geographically, ecologically, and spiritually.

Consider the history and significance of these waterways and their roles as geographical, ecological, political, economic, spiritual, and social connectors. How might your artwork reflect the idea of global connection; through water and through play, during a time when Toronto becomes a stage for international celebration? Artists are encouraged to think about how their work can resonate with both local audiences and visitors from around the world, creating a sense of shared experience and dialogue.

Artists are also encouraged to consider how the community will engage with their work and explore participatory activations that do not require physical interaction with the artwork on the water. Additionally, artists are invited to reflect on how water connects the globe, much like the FIFA events, and how this connection can inspire creativity, joy, and unity.

In keeping with sustainable practices, Waterfront Toronto encourages proposals featuring ready-made artwork, work that utilizes recycled materials, and/or a clear plan for reusing materials or repurposing the artwork for future projects.

Waterfront Toronto intends to identify one successful artist or artist-led team to undertake this project, according to the specifications described below.

Javid Jah, Upcycle, 2024. Photo: Andrew Williamson

General Submission Requirements

Please refer to the complete submission requirements at Public Art | Waterfront Toronto (waterfrontoronto.ca).

Waterfront Toronto is inviting practicing professional artists in Canada to include in their submission:

• Completed Submission Form (attached to full RFP document)
• Artist statement
• Images of proposed artwork
• Sustainability statement
• Proposed budget breakdown and schedule
• Images of previous and relevant work
• Artist CV
• References
• Completed Business Location Attestation Form (attached to full RFP document)
• Completed Canadian Status Form (attached to Addendum #1, linked below the RFP document on the Public Art Waterfront Toronto website)

This is a one-stage competition open to all Canadian artists. Submissions will be reviewed by an independent evaluation panel convened for this project. Waterfront Toronto intends to identify one successful Artist or Artist Team to undertake this project.

Budget

The total commissioning budget for this project is $100,000 +HST.

This fee includes all expenses related, but not limited to, Artist fees, preparation and submission of drawings and renderings, coordination and technical consultations including marine engineering approval or other expertise as required, permits, preparation of installation documents, anchoring plan, meetings and site visits, travel, insurance as required by Waterfront Toronto ($2M liability insurance is required for water installation), rental of studio and storage space, materials, shipping, delivery to site, signage, installation and removal, maintenance manual and artist statement for completed work. Waterfront Toronto will not be responsible for any additional costs.

Timeline

Issue Call – December 17, 2025
Deadline for Questions – January 12, 2026
Submission Deadline – January 22, 2026 by 2pm ET
Artist Selection – Early-February 2026
Contract Issued – Early February 2026
Design Development & Fabrication – February to May 2026
Installation – Mid to Late May 2026
Artwork removal – Late September to Early October 2026

Submission Deadline: January 22, 2026 by 2:00pm ET

Please direct all enquiries by email to: publicart@waterfrontoronto.ca, and reference the opportunity title, Floating Art 2026 in your email.

This page is a letter of introduction only. Please read in full the Waterfront Toronto Call for Proposals document on our Public Art Website, which contains instructions, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, how to submit, site details and technical requirements, and terms and conditions.

Waterfront Toronto
251 Queens Quay East, Suite 301
Toronto, ON M5A 0X3
www.waterfrontoronto.ca

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