Building Exterior Supergraphics Design Opportunity - Indigenous

Call for Submissions:
Public Art Building Exterior Supergraphics Design
1015 East Hastings, Vancouver – New Build
Project by Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society

Submission Deadline: September 10, 2024, 12:00pm

Overview

The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS) invites Indigenous artists of all backgrounds and art styles to submit proposals for a unique public art project. This is an exciting opportunity to have your artwork featured as large-scale supergraphics on the exterior of a new supportive transition housing building, which will serve as a safe space for the Vancouver urban indigenous community. The art will reflect and celebrate the strength, resilience, and culture of Indigenous people. The art piece can be designed digitally or in traditional mediums such as paint, which will be digitized in production.

Project Background

The supportive transition housing project will be located in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The building name, Ho’-kee-melh Kloshe Lum, in Chinook jargon was given by VAFCS’ elders, meaning “To Gather, Good Spirits”.

The building is designed to provide a supportive environment for those in need while also serving as a prominent new hub for Indigenous art in the city. This call for art seeks to capture the essence of the community, with a focus on connection, identity, and healing.

Compensation: $30,000.00 + GST

Scope of Artwork

The selected artwork will be reproduced as large supergraphics on four key exterior locations of the building. Each printed surface measures between 30 to 36 metres in height and 4 to 6 metres in width. There will be four pieces of design required.

Artists will produce the art pieces in digital format (digital file canvas size will be provided by the architect team) which will be printed on the building exterior panel before installation. The printing will be done by a third-party studio in Tokyo, Japan, and installation will be carried out by our construction team. Only the digital design file is required from the artist.

For artists who primarily work in traditional mediums such as paint, VAFCS can provide help in digitization of the original painting.

Project Timeline

VAFCS will award the contract to the selected artist by September 20, 2024.
Digital design file completion by October 18, 2024.

Selection Criteria

Relevance: Artwork should align with the project’s themes of community, resilience, and cultural identity.
Artistic Merit: The quality of the concept and execution will be a key consideration.
Feasibility: The artwork must be scalable and adaptable for large-format reproduction as supergraphics.
Cultural Significance: The artwork should respectfully reflect Indigenous culture, history, and values.
Submission Requirements

Artists are required to submit the following:

A Concept Sketch or Digital Rendering: A rough sketch or digital rendering measuring 4.5 inches (width) x 12 inches (height) that illustrates the proposed artwork, complete with a description of the sketch and concept. Please use the colour palette provided in this RPF as guide and basis of design, additional complimentary colours can be used in the concept sketch.
Artist Statement (Maximum 500 Words): Describe the concept, cultural significance, and how it connects with the project themes.
Portfolio or Samples of Past Work: Up to 5 images showcasing previous artwork relevant to this project.
Artist Biography (Maximum 250 Words): Highlight your background, artistic journey, and connection to Indigenous communities.
Contact Information: Full name, email, phone number, and mailing address.
How to Submit

Please submit all materials via email to Derek Edenshaw at [email protected] with the subject line “Call for Art – [Your Name]”.

The submission deadline is September 10, 2024 at 12:00pm.

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Derek Edenshaw, Design Project Manager
[email protected] | (236) 268-2646

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
1607 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5L 3P7
(604) 251-4844

vafcs.org
Facebook @VancouverAboriginalFriendshipCentreSociety