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The City of St. Catharines and the St. Catharines Downtown Association are inviting Niagara-based artists to submit existing works for an exciting public art initiative aimed at bringing creativity and vitality to the downtown core.
The Downtown Storefronts Public Art Project will transform temporarily vacant storefront windows into vibrant displays of art, fostering community engagement and celebrating local talent.
This pilot project is open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists or art teams based in the Niagara region. Selected works will be reproduced as vinyl window coverings, beautifying the downtown streetscape while showcasing the rich artistic and cultural diversity of the area.
Artist Benefits
Artists selected for this project will be awarded a total artist fee of $1,720, which is in line with Canadian Artists' Representation / Le Front des Artistes Canadiens (CARFAC)’s recommended fee structure for non-advertising public art installations such as banners and billboards.
This fee will be distributed in two payments and in accordance with the City’s payment terms. Furthermore, all costs associated with the installation of the vinyl window coverings will be covered by the City of St. Catharines.
Eligibility
This call for submissions is open to all artists, designers, and collectives residing in St. Catharines and the Niagara region, regardless of their stage in their career. There are no limits to the number of artworks that an artist or collective can submit for consideration, offering a chance to showcase a range of creative works. For this round of installations, a total of five artworks will be selected.
Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed by a jury composed of arts professionals, including members of the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee as well as local community representatives. The selection process will focus on the visual impact of the submitted artworks and their suitability for window installation, ensuring that the pieces will stand out and captivate audiences in a storefront setting.
Special attention will be given to works that reflect the Indigenous and Black histories or contemporary culture of St. Catharines, aligning with the City’s goal of representing the diversity and richness of its community.
How to Apply
Artists can submit their artwork, along with a completed application form and artist statement, online through the City’s submission portal at stcatharines.ca/StorefrontArt by Dec. 11, 2024.
Selected artists will be notified on Dec. 20, 2024, and we anticipate that their art will be installed in 2025.
About the Project
The Downtown Storefronts Public Art Project is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to enhance the downtown experience, support local artists, and create meaningful connections between the community and its cultural identity.
The City of St. Catharines Public Art Policy states: “The City of St. Catharines seeks to encourage all those who care about the community to participate in making art, collecting it, and commissioning it.”
This project builds on the City’s history of celebrating creativity through public art, transforming public spaces into platforms for self-expression and storytelling.
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